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The following Press Releases are courtesy of Phyllis Wheaton, Visitor Information Services, San Juan Public Lands, Pagosa Ranger District.
P.O. Box 310
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
970 264-1503
The Press Releases are listed in order from newest to oldest.
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SCROLL DOWN for the Latest Road, Campground and Trail Info
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 29, 2010
San Juan National Forest Accepting Applications for Artist-in-Residence Program until March 1st
The San Juan National Forest is accepting applications for its Aspen Guard Station Artist-in-Residence Program until March 1, 2010. To be considered, applications must be stamped as received by no later than the March 1st deadline at the San Juan Public Lands Center, 15 Burnett Court, Durango, CO 81301. The residency program is open to painters, writers, poets, musicians, photographers, sculptors, performers, and other artists. Those selected for residencies will have the opportunity to stay at the historic Aspen Guard Station for one to two weeks during the summer or fall of 2010.
The Aspen Guard Station is a rustic log cabin set in an aspen grove 12 miles north of Mancos. It served as a ranger station for the U.S. Forest Service after being built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Today, it houses the Artist-in-Residence Program annually from June to September. In return for residencies, artists make a donation to the program and share their talents with the public through exhibits, performances, open houses, or workshops.
Representatives of area art associations will choose six finalists and two alternates by no later than May 1, 2010. Selection will be made solely on the basis of merit, without regard to sex, race, creed, religion, national origin, or physical ability. However, because of its historical nature, the Aspen Guard Station does not meet American Disability Act standards.
The Aspen Guard Station Artist-in-Residence Program is sponsored by the Dolores Public Lands Office and Cortez Cultural Center.
Information on the program and instructions on how to apply are available on the San Juan National Forest Web site at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/sanjuan/about/a-i-r/index.shtml
For more information, contact Ann Bond, 970 385-1219.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 21, 2009
Free Public Workshop to be Held in Bayfield on How to Apply for U.S. Forest Service and BLM Jobs
The San Juan Public Lands Center will offer two 2-hour sessions on how to apply for employment with the U.S. Forest Service and BLM on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at the Bayfield Public Library, 15 East Mill Street, Bayfield CO 81122. The first session will run from 10 a.m. until noon; the second session from noon until 2 p.m.
The workshops will focus on how to use the Federal Government’s AVUE Digital Services hiring website to apply for all types of seasonal and permanent jobs with the U.S. Forest Service across the country. The BLM process, which is more user friendly to use, will also be covered to a lesser extent. Four laptop computers will be set up for use by participants. Participants are also encouraged to bring their own laptop computers.
Federal employees will be on hand to walk participants through the process on how to apply for a job, what paperwork is needed, how to find where job openings are posted, and how to contact perspective employers. Each session is limited to the first 40 participants to register. Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP by no later than Friday, January 8, 2010, although the workshops will attempt to accommodate walk-ins.
For more information or to sign up, please contact Jacob Thelen, Columbine Ranger District Prescribed Fire Specialist at 970-884-1430 or via email at jthelen@fs.fed.us, or Hon Schlapfer Columbine Hand Crew Foreman at 970-884-1425 or via email at hschlapfer@fs.fed.us .
To visit the AVUE Web site, go to:
https://www.avuecentral.com/casting/aiportal/control/mainmenu
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 11, 2009
Vallecito Nordic Trail System Open
The Vallecito Nordic Trail System is now open for cross-country skiing. The trail system offers 15 kilometers of trails groomed for classic and skate skiing. Skating conditions are currently soft, but the track should be packed down over the weekend. Special thanks to Roger Pennington with the San Juan Sledders Club for the snow-cat grooming this week.
The trail system is operated by the Vallecito Nordic Club, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a groomed recreational trail system for non-motorized use by outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and abilities through recreation, education and community building. The trail system is operated under a special-use permit with the San Juan National Forest.
The Vallecito Nordic Club provides no services other than trail grooming. Dogs are welcome, but owners are responsible for their dogs’ behavior and are asked to toss droppings off the trail.
The Vallecito Nordic Trail System can be accessed from Durango by taking Florida Road to Helen’s Store, taking a right on CR 240 and a left on CR 501. At Vallecito Reservoir, turn right on CR 501A, cross over the dam and continue to the trailhead at Old Timers Campground. Vehicles should be able to negotiate snow-packed conditions on CR 501A, and drivers should be aware that the road across the dam is narrow and exposed.
Parking is road-side only, and skiers are asked not to block the driveway entrance at Ellington Lane across from Old Timer’s Campground.
Donations are encouraged. All trails are maintained by volunteer groomers, with the Nordic Club receiving no other funding. All donations go toward maintaining the trail system. For information on current conditions or for information on how to make an online or mail-in donation, please go to: http://skivallecito.wordpress.com/
Ann Bond
Public Affairs Specialist
San Juan Public Lands Center
15 Burnett Court
Durango, CO 81301
970 385-1219
abond@fs.fed.us
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Winter Office Hours
Effective November 9, the Pagosa Ranger District Office will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday. In addition to information on recreational opportunities within the Forest, the office provides a variety of services including the sale of permits for fuelwood, tree transplants and, beginning November 16, Christmas trees.
The bookstore within the office is operated by San Juan Mountains Association and carries a variety of Smokey Bear items, maps and books, including nature identification guides, and children’s books. Sales go to support interpretive and educational efforts. The office is located at 180 Pagosa Street or phone 970 264-2268.
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December 10, 2009
The Forest Service does not plow roads.
Within the Pagosa Ranger District of the San Juan Public Lands, forest roads that are closed seasonally are opened in spring as conditions allow. Most roads have only one closure gate and may be dry at the gate. However, as a road gains elevation or makes a turn onto a north-facing slope, conditions can change dramatically. Additionally, there are downed trees and the occasional rock slide to be cleared. Therefore, roads are not opened until all or most of the road can be used without unacceptable damage occurring to the road surface.
As with all areas on the Forest, damaging a road is always prohibited. When opened, some roads may be snow-covered or muddy at various points; please drive only as far as you are able without causing ruts. Mud-bogging and driving off roads, in meadows, and along stream courses are illegal activities that are extremely damaging to soils, wetlands and vegetation.
All areas within the Pagosa Ranger District are closed to off-road travel with motorized vehicles, except snowmobiles operating on snow. Violators of travel management regulations may receive citations leading to fines of up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail.
For additional information, call 264-2268 or visit our office at 180 Pagosa Street. Updates are posted to the left of our front door and under “Road Conditions” at http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/sanjuan.
The following is the latest road update for from the Forest Service:
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ROADS
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Status
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Big Branch #664
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Closed
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Black Mtn # 661
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Closed
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Blanco River # 656
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Closed
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Blue Creek # 012
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Closed
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Buckles Lake # 663
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Closed
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Burns Canyon # 649
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Closed
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Castle Creek # 660 to Opal Lake THD
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Closed
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Castle Creek # 660 to Fish Creek
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Closed
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Devil Creek # 627
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Closed
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Devil Mountain # 626
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Closed
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East Fork # 667
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Closed
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East Tonor #637
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Closed
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Echo Canyon # 029
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Closed
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Eight Mile Mesa # 651
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Closed
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Falls Creek Road #039
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Closed
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Fawn Gulch Road #666
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Closed
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First Fork # 622
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Closed
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Fish Creek #660
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Closed
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Fourmile Road #645
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Closed
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Jackson Mountain # 037
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Closed
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Kenney Flats # 006
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Closed
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Lefthand Canyon # 024
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Closed
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Lower Piedra Campground # 621
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Closed
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Middle Fork # 636
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Closed
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Mill Creek # 662
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OPEN - Mill Creek is now a county road and is no longer open to ATVs.
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Monument Park East # 630
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Closed
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Monument Park West # 630
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Closed
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Mosca # 631
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Closed
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Nipple Mtn to Echo Canyon
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Closed
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Nipple Mtn Above Echo #665 to MM 9
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Closed
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Plumtaw Lower # 634
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Closed
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Plumtaw Upper # 634
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Closed
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Porcupine #024
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Closed
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Price Lakes # 731
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Closed
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Snow Ball # 646
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Closed
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Trail Ridge # 639
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Closed
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Turkey Creek # 647 (Upper)
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Closed
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Turkey Springs # 629 (Lower)
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Closed
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Valle Seco Upper # 653 to private property
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Closed
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West Fork # 648
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Closed
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Williams Creek # 640
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OPEN
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Willow Draw # 722
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Closed
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Wolf Creek Road #725
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Closed
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CAMPGROUNDS
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Status
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Tentative
Opening Date
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Blanco River
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Closed
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Bridge
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Closed
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Cimmarona
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Closed
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East Fork
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Closed
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Lower Piedra
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Closed
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Palisades
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Closed
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Teal
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Closed
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Ute
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Closed
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West Fork
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Closed
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Williams Creek
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Closed
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Do not go off roads, except to park adjacent to the road on dry ground.
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An open gate does not give permission to damage roads. Damage is defined as: ruts 1 inch deep or deeper on gravel roads, 4 inches deep or deeper on native surface roads
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