USFS News Release: Forest Service Issues Decision on North Schell Restoration Project

On January 10, 2012, the Ely Ranger District, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, issued a decision approving the North Schell Restoration Project, located around 20 miles north of Ely, Nevada.  The project area includes approximately 78,000 acres of the Humboldt-Toiyabe in the Schell Creek Mountain Range.  This area includes Shellbourne Pass south to the Kalamazoo Summit Road. This decision approves the use of both prescribed fire and various mechanical treatment methods to treat approximately 24,361 acres within the project area.  The following list summarizes the most important objectives of this project:

• Restoration and regeneration of aspen communities.
• Restoration of important sagebrush communities.
• Treatment of pinyon-juniper to reduce fuels, particularly around structures and private lands.
• Restoration and improved wildlife habitats for species such as sage grouse, pygmy rabbits, mule deer, elk, and others.

Ely District Ranger, Jose Noriega, commented, “I am excited to finally sign a decision on this project.”  Noriega also added, “this project addresses many of our vegetation issues at a landscape scale and will provide positive outcomes for many of our wildlife species.”

To obtain a copy of the Environmental Assessment, the Decision Notice, and or copies of the maps, please contact the Ely Ranger District at 775-289-3031, or stop by the office at 825 Avenue E in Ely.  If you have specific questions about the project, you may call the Project Lead, Carol Carlock, at 775-289-5128 or District Ranger, Jose Noriega, at 775-289-5100.