Planning
GMUG Revised Forest Plan Finalized
updated March 25, 2025
In June 2024, the USDA Forest Service released the final revised land management plan and final Record of Decision to guide the long-term management of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison national forests in southwestern Colorado.
“This forest plan shows that economic opportunities, world-class recreation and thriving ecosystems can flourish while maintaining healthy forests,” said Chad Stewart, GMUG Forest Supervisor. “The plan supports access to public lands to meet the needs of local communities and a growing number of annual visitors, while also preserving key wildlife migration corridors, habitat and watersheds.”
“I am especially grateful for the incredible work and input from our partners, organizations and relevant groups over the past seven years. County governments, the State of Colorado, Tribes, interested parties and engaged groups contributed to the crafting of this plan,” said Stewart. “Throughout the process, we received almost 20,000 public comments and I believe the final plan strikes a reasonable balance between many competing interests. I look forward to implementing the plan with continued input from the public.”
The revised plan allocates more than one-quarter of the GMUG — 823,000 acres – as Wildlife Management Areas, where trail expansion will be capped, while providing ample opportunities to improve existing trails and expand where appropriate. Other notable allocations in the revised plan include 68,000 acres of recommended wilderness, 771,000 acres as suitable for timber production, and the 8,000-acre Gunnison Research Special Interest Area.
Documents
Click on the titles below to access key final plan documents. All final and earlier products from the 7-year planning process (2017-2024) are available on the Pinyon Public Page.
Final Post-Objections Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
Interactive Maps are also available HERE.
Biological Assessment and Concurrence
Species of Conservation Concern
Contact the GMUG for more information: sm.fs.gmugplanning@usda.gov
Join our mailing list to receive future updates regarding the revised GMUG Forest Plan and its implementation.
Public Comments & Objections from the planning process are available in the Reading Room