BLM: Federal and State Agencies Seek Public Input on Overland Pass/Big Wash Habitat Improvement Project

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ely District, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Ruby Mountain Ranger District; and Nevada Department of Wildlife are seeking public input on the proposed Overland Pass/Big Wash Habitat Improvement Project to be implemented in the Overland Pass area of the Ruby Mountains, about 55 miles south of Elko and 80 miles northwest of Ely, Nev.  The deadline to provide input is close of business, Thursday, March 15, 2012.

The proposed project would provide for vegetative diversity and improve habitat for the greater sage-grouse, mule deer, elk and pronghorn antelope, as well as reduce the risk of catastrophic wildland fire by selectively thinning pinion-pine and juniper from sagebrush communities.  Approximately 17,000 acres of the 40,000-acre project area would be treated using manual and mechanical treatment methods, and prescribed fire.

The proposed project is consistent with the BLM Ely District Resource Management Plan and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, as amended.

Interested individuals should address all written comments to the BLM Ely District Office, HC 33 Box 33500, Ely, NV 89301-9408, Attn: Cody Coombs or email them to Coombs at ccoombs@blm.gov.  Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

For more information, contact Cody Coombs, BLM Ely District fuels program manager, at (775) 289-1854 or ccoombs@blm.gov.