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., R OO?628 January 4, 2000 PRESS ADVISORY State Comments on White River National Forest Management Plan Filed The Colorado Department of Natural Resources today filed the State's comments on the proposed new White River National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. Coordinating concerns, suggestions and comments from three divisions, the comments express the State's policies and views on wildlife, water and outdoor recreation issues. The comments run 40 pages, plus several attachments and a map. The complete comments can be viewed on the DNR web site at www.dnr.state.co.us/whiteriver. The Department consolidated substantial material, running 24 pages, from the Division of Wildlife, together with 15 pages plus attachments from the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and 7 pages of material from the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, into a single document. Department Executive Director Greg Walcher signed a cover letter conveying the material as three separate but related chapters, representing the Administration's views on many details of the proposed plan. The comments do not endorse anyone specific alternative in the proposal. Rather, Walcher says the Department and its Divisions plan to work closely with the Forest Service on solutions to particular concerns within the context of whichever alternative is selected by the Forest Service. The document contains detailed information on the importance of wildlife values in the face of increased human activities. It also includes concerns about recreation with a number of proposed trail and road closures. Finally, it argues against the need for federal by- pass flows, explaining the state's instream flow program. 1,100 miles of streams and 21,000 acre-feet of water in 138 natural lakes in the White River Forest have been protected under the State program. In the cover letter, Walcher advocated a strong collaborative effort with affected communities. "It is essential that the Forest Service work closely with the communities in the region to implement a plan that recognizes national environmental goals, but in the context of regional environmental and economic values. We believe it is possible, indeed essential, to balance both objectives, and look forward to working with the Forest Service to that end." The leUer emphasizes the range of issues that must be addressed: "The Forest Service must provide an array of potential management tools to benefit the full spectrum of natural resource issues: wildlife species, including threatened and endangered and declining species; road and trail density, use, and restoration; watershed management; and the treatment of special interest areas. The Forest Service's historic challenge is to manage the many important uses of the White River National Forest while protecting and enhancing Colorado's natural resources and maintaining the long-term productivity and sustainability of the land."