News Release

REVISED Mesa Verde National Park Invites Public Comment on Proposed Spruce Tree House Alcove Arch Stabilization

Date: December 16, 2021
Contact: Kristy Sholly, [phone]

MESA VERDE, CO-- The National Park Service (NPS) is in the planning phases of a proposed project to stabilize the sandstone arch at the front of the Spruce Tree House cliff dwelling alcove at Mesa Verde National Park (MVNP). The proposed stabilization would not include any alteration of the cliff dwelling structures within the alcove. 

As part of this process, we have initiated a 30-day comment period that began on Monday, December 6th, 2021, on a range of preliminary concepts and the environment at MVNP that could be affected by this proposed project. You are encouraged to share your observations, concerns, and ideas about the information presented in a newsletter posted online to help us focus the concepts on significant issues in the park. The newsletter is available at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/MEVE. The information obtained during this public comment period will be used to refine the concepts, identify issues, and ensure that we have the information needed to move forward in the planning process. 

More opportunities for public comment will be available during this planning process. Once we have refined a range of alternatives with public input, we will begin the second phase of planning. We will initiate the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and prepare an appropriate NEPA document. 

Public participation is an important element of the planning process and we welcome your ideas, concerns, issues, suggestions, and potential topics for consideration as we refine the concepts. Please share your comments no later than Friday, January 7th, 2022,online through the Planning, Environment, and Public Comment(PEPC) website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/MEVE. 

We look forward to hearing your ideas and comments. 

Before individuals include their address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in their comment, they should be aware that their entire comment, including their personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. Individuals may request that the NPS withhold their name and/or address from public disclosure. If individuals wish to do this, they must state this prominently at the beginning of their comment and make such a request by checking the box "keep my contact information private." on the website. The NPS will honor such requests to the extent allowable by law, but individuals should be aware that NPS may still be required to disclose personal identifying information.