General public feedback prompted the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to consider revising its Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP) for North Platte River area land and campgrounds.
BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner Christopher Jones said the RAMP changes are preferred alternatives not set in stone, and the BLM is considering certain revisions and researching proposals. He said one of the possible changes is that the BLM would provide boundary signs for the designated camping area at the proposed boat-in campground along the river.
Another possible change mentioned was for SRP (Special Reserve Permit) allocations for outfitters.
“We will consider adding up to three SRP requests every other year until the middle county limit has been reached,” Jones said.
The BLM is also considering dropping construction plans for a new access road to Big Creek Campground, and may join with the Forest Service to help maintain the access road and grounds already there.
“We had a lot of comments that were opposed to the new road to be put in at Big Creek, so we have a no-action alternative for that, but we will still provide continued maintenance there,” Jones said.
Jones said also the BLM is considering opening up the gate at Corral Creek Campground during peak river use levels, which would likely be between the Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends. He said also it has been proposed that a short switchback be provided for Prospect Creek Road at Prospect Access, due to a steep grade and poor road conditions.
“The switchback would be about a 30 or 40 yard connector north and east of the existing two-track road, so folks aren’t getting stuck as badly,” Jones said. “There are safety concerns, and it has been proposed that the steep grade be reduced. We also talked about mowing down vegetation in the existing parking area for the Prospect boat launch, to enlarge the parking area.”
The proposed RAMP is an update of an original plan written and signed in 1985. Wyoming BLM representatives publicly presented and accepted input regarding the new RAMP in May at the Platte Valley Community Center.
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