04-27-2011, 11:10 AM
GUNNISON, Colo. -- The Colorado Division of Wildlife recently received property that will complete land acquisition for the new Tomichi Creek State Wildlife Area just east of the town of Gunnison.
Ownership of the 248-acre parcel was transferred to the Division from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on April 1 in order to provide for more efficient management of the property. The new state wildlife area, which totals 458 acres, encompasses wetlands and riparian area, and straddles more than four miles of Tomichi Creek. The property provides substantial recreation opportunities for anglers, small game hunters and wildlife watchers. The area also provides important wildlife habitat for waterfowl, various bird species and small mammals.
"This is a great area because it includes nice wetlands, a beautiful stretch of Tomichi Creek and is located close to town for easy recreational access," said J Wenum, area wildlife manager in Gunnison."
In November of 2009, the DOW purchased an adjacent 210 acres from a private landowner.
Establishment of the wildlife area is part of a long-term wildlife mitigation process for the Bureau of Reclamation relating to construction of Blue Mesa Reservoir which was completed in 1966. Building of the reservoir inundated more than 9,000 acres of land and 26 miles of riparian habitat and wetlands along the Gunnison River. The bureau was required to replace the river habitat with comparable property. Providing the land near Gunnison to the Division of Wildlife is part of the bureau's ongoing mitigation activities. The bureau is continuing its search for mitigation properties elsewhere.
The new Tomichi State Wildlife Area also will be connected to the Division of Wildlife's planned southwest regional office and Outdoor Discovery Center. That complex will be built on a nine-acre parcel just east of Gunnison on U.S. Highway 50. A network of trails will start at the Outdoor Discovery Center and lead wildlife enthusiasts into this easily accessible wetland.
The south side of the property also provides important brood rearing habitat for Gunnison sage grouse, and water access for a variety of wildlife species such as pronghorn antelope.
The Division's Outdoor Discovery Center is being designed to help introduce people to wildlife and outdoor recreation, said Tom Spezze, southwest regional manager for the Division of Wildlife.
"The Discovery Center is located in an area that will give people a unique view of a wetland landscape, and also provide them easy access for exploring in a safe environment," Spezze said.
Bureau of Land Management property borders the wildlife area on the south.
A management plan to be written for the wildlife area will detail access points, trails, parking lots, irrigation practices, and other various uses. A limited amount of cattle grazing and hay production will continue on the parcel and will be evaluated during development of the management plan.
The western portion of the wildlife area is now open to the public to use, including fishing. The newly acquired eastern portion will be open in the near future pending action by the Colorado Wildlife Commission.
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
Ownership of the 248-acre parcel was transferred to the Division from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on April 1 in order to provide for more efficient management of the property. The new state wildlife area, which totals 458 acres, encompasses wetlands and riparian area, and straddles more than four miles of Tomichi Creek. The property provides substantial recreation opportunities for anglers, small game hunters and wildlife watchers. The area also provides important wildlife habitat for waterfowl, various bird species and small mammals.
"This is a great area because it includes nice wetlands, a beautiful stretch of Tomichi Creek and is located close to town for easy recreational access," said J Wenum, area wildlife manager in Gunnison."
In November of 2009, the DOW purchased an adjacent 210 acres from a private landowner.
Establishment of the wildlife area is part of a long-term wildlife mitigation process for the Bureau of Reclamation relating to construction of Blue Mesa Reservoir which was completed in 1966. Building of the reservoir inundated more than 9,000 acres of land and 26 miles of riparian habitat and wetlands along the Gunnison River. The bureau was required to replace the river habitat with comparable property. Providing the land near Gunnison to the Division of Wildlife is part of the bureau's ongoing mitigation activities. The bureau is continuing its search for mitigation properties elsewhere.
The new Tomichi State Wildlife Area also will be connected to the Division of Wildlife's planned southwest regional office and Outdoor Discovery Center. That complex will be built on a nine-acre parcel just east of Gunnison on U.S. Highway 50. A network of trails will start at the Outdoor Discovery Center and lead wildlife enthusiasts into this easily accessible wetland.
The south side of the property also provides important brood rearing habitat for Gunnison sage grouse, and water access for a variety of wildlife species such as pronghorn antelope.
The Division's Outdoor Discovery Center is being designed to help introduce people to wildlife and outdoor recreation, said Tom Spezze, southwest regional manager for the Division of Wildlife.
"The Discovery Center is located in an area that will give people a unique view of a wetland landscape, and also provide them easy access for exploring in a safe environment," Spezze said.
Bureau of Land Management property borders the wildlife area on the south.
A management plan to be written for the wildlife area will detail access points, trails, parking lots, irrigation practices, and other various uses. A limited amount of cattle grazing and hay production will continue on the parcel and will be evaluated during development of the management plan.
The western portion of the wildlife area is now open to the public to use, including fishing. The newly acquired eastern portion will be open in the near future pending action by the Colorado Wildlife Commission.
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.