Mesa Verde Fire Management Plan

Mesa Verde National Park » Mesa Verde Fire Management Plan » Document List

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The National Park Service (NPS) is in the process of preparing a new fire management plan and environmental assessment (EA) for Mesa Verde National Park. The proposed fire management plan is intended to be both strategic and operational, guiding the full range of wildland fire program activities that support land and resource management objectives.

The purpose of the proposed fire management plan for Mesa Verde National Park and Yucca House National Monument is to comply with new national and NPS policies and to incorporate new scientific information into fire management planning within parks. In addition, the new fire management plan intends to provide management direction that improves the ability to achieve the following goals:

 Protect human life and safety;
 Protect critical infrastructure and facilities;
 Enhance fire management coordination with other agencies, non-governmental entities, and park neighbors;
 Enhance communication with the public and adjacent landowners and improve educational strategies; and
 Protect cultural and natural resources as well as visitor use and experience.

An environmental assessment will be prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to provide the decision-making framework that 1) analyzes a reasonable range of alternatives to meet project objectives, 2) evaluates issues and impacts to park resources and values, and 3) identifies mitigation measures to lessen the degree or extent of these impacts.

The NPS encourages public participation throughout the planning process. There will be two opportunities to comment formally on the project—once during initial project scoping and again following release of the environmental assessment. The NPS is currently in the scoping phase of the proposed project. Please continue to return to this webpage for updates on the project schedule and opportunities for you to submit written suggestions, comments, and concerns regarding the project.

Sincerely,
Cliff Spencer
Superintendent


Contact Information

If you have questions about the project or would like more information, please contact Allan Loy, Project Manager, at (970) 529-5067or allan_loy@nps.gov.