BLM Public Meetings in Nevada and California Support Review of Sage-Grouse Draft EIS
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RENO, Nev. -- As the next step in aligning federal habitat conservation efforts with state wildlife management plans, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will hold three meetings in Nevada and one in California beginning June 26, 2018, to provide information and answer possible questions regarding the recently released draft amendments to sage-grouse plans finalized in 2015.
Draft Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) and amendments to the 2015 plans were published on May 4, 2018, beginning a 90-day public comment period. The public meetings will help attendees learn about the draft plan amendments and formulate written submissions before the comment period ends on August 2, 2018.
Western governors have sought changes to the 2015 plans for BLM-managed lands in their states, which spurred the BLM in proceeding with the plan amendments. Comments on the draft amendments will guide the BLM in finalizing changes that build on and strengthen these plans to conserve public land habitat in cooperation with state plans for managing wildlife species.
Plan amendments could affect up to 61 land-use plans for about 53 million acres in seven western states. Eleven plans guiding management on 20.5 million acres of public land in Nevada and northeastern California could be revised.
The public meetings will be held in an open-house format, with BLM specialists attending information stations to interact with meeting attendees to provide answers or additional information. Oral comments will not be accepted at the meetings, but computer terminals will be available for submitting written comments on-site.
Nevada meetings will be at:
Reno/Sparks June 26 5:00-7:00 pm Nugget Hotel, Cascade Room #3, 1100 Nugget Ave., Sparks, Nev. 89431
Ely June 27 5:00-7:00 pm Bristlecone Convention Center, 150 W. 6th St., Ely, Nev. 89301
Elko June 28 5:00-7:00 pm Elko Convention Center, 700 Moren Way, Elko, Nev. 89801
An additional meeting will be held in Alturas, California, on June 29th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Niles Hotel, 304 S. Main St., Alturas 96101.
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.