Public Comment Period Opens for Long-Term High Altitude Helicopter Training Proposal

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Proposed area of activity for the high altitude training
Credit BLM
Proposed area of activity for the high altitude training

Fort Carson is in the process of working out a long-term agreement to use public land for high altitude helicopter training. KRCC’s Eliza Densmore reports.

Since 2010, Fort Carson has had annual agreements with the Bureau of Land Management for training northwest of Canon City. The Mountain Post recently submitted a proposal for a 20-year agreement, which is now under review.

BLM spokesman Kyle Sullivan says the proposal is entering a one month long public scoping period.

"At this stage we’re looking for public input on what kinds of issues we should be looking at and then we’ll take all the public comments and draft an environmental analysis and then we’ll put that out for public review."

Sullivan says the BLM expects to look at potential impacts to resources, wildlife, and recreation during their analysis. The public comment period lasts until November 1st.

A public meeting regarding the proposal will be held on October 7th at the Abbey Event Complex in Canon City from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.