FOLBR - Friends Of the Lower Blue River

Whats Happening

White River National Forest secures 90 acres in the Lower Blue near Green Mountain Reservoir

From the US Forest Service

This month the White River National Forest acquired two parcels totaling 90 acres at Green Mountain Reservoir using the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The Forest Service acquired a 66-acre parcel near Cow Creek South Campground and a 24-acre parcel near McDonald Flats Campground from Summit County.

“Summit County has a long-standing partnership with the White River National Forest to acquire private holdings in the county to improve access to National Forest System lands,” said Summit County Open Space Director Katherine King.

“This acquisition will help us resolve access and expansion opportunities at the campgrounds,” said Dillon District Ranger Adam Bianchi. “Public use at Green Mountain Reservoir continues to increase, and this acquisition will allow us to proactively plan for future needs.”

The Cow Creek Parcel secures the necessary right-of-way access for the Forest Service campground facilities, and supports ongoing efforts with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species like the quagga mussel.

The McDonald Flats parcel provides an additional 2,500 feet of shoreline access for the public, and improves the recreation opportunities adjacent to the Forest Service campground. Congress created the Land and Water Conservation Fund in 1964, it provides money to federal, state and local governments to purchase land, water and wetlands for the benefit of all Americans. In 2021, the acquisition funding was approved: $850,000 for McDonald Flats and $950,000 for Cow Creek.

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