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The White River National Forest has announced that the 90-day public scoping period for the Sweetwater Lake Recreation Management and Development Project Environmental Impact Statement will begin May 6.

“Public involvement is an important part of determining the future of the Sweetwater Lake,” Eagle-Holy Cross District Ranger Leanne Veldhuis said. “This 90-day comment period offers the public an opportunity to provide their thoughts and concerns about our proposed action before we begin our detailed analysis in an environmental impact statement.”

The Proposed Action would authorize a 20-year special use permit to Colorado Parks and Wildlife to implement and maintain ¾Ã¾ÃÈȾ«Æ·ÊÓƵapp outlined in the proposed action on 832 acres of National Forest System lands surrounding Sweetwater Lake. The project area includes 488 acres of land acquired in 2021 through the Land and Water Conservation Fund and 344 acres of previously existing National Forest System lands. It seeks to maintain the traditional recreational opportunities at Sweetwater while minimizing impacts to natural resources and other potential conflicts from increased public interest in recreating at Sweetwater. 

“Partnering with Colorado Parks & Wildlife would allow us to more effectively manage this long-cherished area,” Veldhuis said. 

The White River National Forest will be hosting public open house meetings in Glenwood Springs and Gypsum to provide additional information and answer questions to help the public provide more effective comments on June 5 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Glenwood Springs Branch Library Community Room, 815 Cooper Ave.; and June 6 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Gypsum Recreation Center Community Room, 52 Lundgren Blvd.

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More information, including the proposal and how to comment, will be available beginning May 6 at: .  Comments need to be received by Aug. 5, 2024.