Forest Service dispersed‑camping plan in Salida/Leadville districts open for comment; county staff prepared executive summary

County planning staff alerted commissioners to a proposed joint dispersed‑camping management plan prepared by the Salida and Leadville Ranger Districts of the U.S. Forest Service and said the proposal is open for public comment through the coming Wednesday.

Staff reported that Gabe Hobson, senior long‑range implementation planner, prepared an executive summary highlighting the plan’s proposals and potential local impacts from more formalized dispersed‑camping management. The county planning office recommended the Board of County Commissioners review the summary and, if desired, direct staff to finalize and file a county comment before the Forest Service deadline.

Commissioners discussed the local importance of dispersed camping in Chaffee County and noted the county’s ongoing engagement with public‑land agencies to coordinate enforcement, visitor education and resource protection. Staff said they will have the planning department and Gabe Hobson available at the next meeting to answer detailed technical questions if the board wants to take a position.

Ending: Commissioners signaled they would review the summary and consider formal direction at their next meeting so staff could submit a comment by the Forest Service deadline.