The "other contiguous lands" include the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Instant Study Area (ISA), the sliver of BLM administered lands lying between the ISA and the Summit Lake Indian Reservation, and the "South Playa" encompassing the area of the Black Rock Desert Playa between the town of Gerlach and the south boundary of the NCA.

The BLM's Winnemucca and Surprise Field Offices invite all interested persons to attend these workshops to provide input into the RMP for the NCA Planning Area.  The planning workshops at all locations will be open from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Since no formal presentations will be made, it is not necessary to arrive as soon as the doors open.  People may enter and leave at their convenience at any time during the scheduled hours.  All comments received at the workshops will be considered during the planning process.

At the workshops BLM specialists will answer questions and explain the NCA planning process.  Other opportunities for public participation in the planning process will be discussed, including the many ways comments can be submitted for consideration (orally, on paper, and electronically).  Public input is essential to developing a plan that protects the unique character of the NCA Planning Area and allows visitors to experience and enjoy them.  These workshops are a follow-up to the Community Partnership Workshop hosted by the BLM at the Winnemucca Field Office in July.

The Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-554, December 21, 2000) as amended (NCA Act) gives national conservation area or wilderness designation to 1.2 million acres of public lands managed by the BLM in northwestern Nevada.  These lands contain some of the last nationally significant segments of the historic California emigrant trails, including wagon ruts, historic inscriptions and a landscape largely unchanged since pre-Civil War, pioneer times.  In addition, the Black Rock Desert and High Rock Canyon areas are unique parts of the Northwestern Great Basin containing a broad representation of the Great Basin's land forms and plant and animal species, including golden eagles, sage grouse, wild horses and burros, and the endangered Lahontan Cutthroat Trout.

The NCA Act mandates that the Resource Management Plan be developed with full public participation by December 20, 2003.  For more information, please contact the Surprise Field Office at (530) 279-6101 or the Winnemucca Field Office at (775) 623-1500.

"BLM hopes for a very good turnout at these workshops and throughout the NCA planning process," says Acting NCA Manager Roger Farschon, adding that,  "The more the public gets involved in a planning process, the better will be the final plan."

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