BLM Extends Public Scoping Period for Environmental Assessment to Streamline OHV Special Recreation Permits

Organization:

Bureau of Land Management

Media Contact:

Rita Henderson

RENO, Nev. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will extend the public scoping period for the programmatic environmental assessment that will cover a range of Special Recreation Permits for Off-Highway Vehicle events in Nevada. The new deadline for submitting formal scoping comments is June 3, 2023. The development of this programmatic environmental assessment will aid BLM staff in responding to private party applications for off-highway vehicle events on BLM-administered land throughout Nevada. The BLM has engaged the Ely, Southern Nevada, Battle Mountain, and Carson City District Offices in this effort.

Specifically, the BLM requests the public’s input on the following:

• Specific routes (or specific event types on those routes) that should be considered for removal from consideration in this programmatic analysis. Please include why you recommend the route be removed, and information on the resource or other concern driving your suggestion.

• Specific routes (or specific event types on those routes) that should be considered for addition to this programmatic analysis. Please include an explanation of why you recommend the route be included, and information on the resource or other concern driving your suggestion.

• Special Recreation Permit stipulations the BLM should consider appending to future off-highway vehicle special recreation permits. This could include both general stipulations applicable to all routes or route-specific stipulations. Please include why you recommend a given stipulation, and information on the resource or other concern driving your suggestion.

PDF maps and a link to the Navigator page displaying the preliminary set of routes the BLM is currently considering for inclusion in the programmatic EA are available on the project planning page at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2024119/510 . The public is invited to review these maps to inform the requested input on routes and stipulations. General comments on this OHV SRP project are also welcome. Please note that this is project will only make decisions about issuing OHV SRPs, and will not change travel management designations (i.e., establishing areas as open, closed, or limited to OHV use) or open/close any roads or trails in the project planning area to general public use and access.

Written input may be emailed to BLM_NV_SRP_EA@blm.gov, submitted online at the BLM’s Project ePlanning Site, or mailed to the BLM Nevada State Office, Attn: OHV Special Recreation Permit Project, 1340 Financial Blvd Reno, NV 89502. Before including addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, or other personal identifying information in comments, be aware that entire comments— including personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While commenters can request that personal identifying information be withheld from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

For more information, contact Tammy Owens, Project Manager, at BLM_NV_SRP_EA@blm.gov or 775-388-9975. Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 7-1-1 (TYY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunication relay services.


The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.