DATE: March 7, 2007
CONTACT: Mike Brown (775) 753-0386
e-mail: Mike_Brown@nv.blm.gov
ELKO FIELD OFFICE: 2007-41

BLM SEEKING COMMENTS FOR SPRUCE MOUNTAIN RESTORATION

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Elko Field Office is seeking public comment on
on the preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze fuels treatment for the proposed Spruce Mountain Restoration Project.

BLM and the Nevada Department of Wildlife are proposing to conduct vegetation treatments on 10,000 to 16,000 acres of public land on Spruce Mountain during the next five to seven years. Spruce Mountain is about 40 mile south of Wells, Nevada and 10 miles west of U.S. Highway 93.
“We need to reduce the risk of large-scale fires on Spruce Mountain,” said BLM Fuels Specialist and Spruce Mountain Project Director Tom Reid. “There is a tremendous amount of fuel on Spruce Mountain and if a fire gets started, it could be very hard to contain or control. The heavy canopy of pinion-juniper is expanding into the sage brush and grass and is impacting the mule deer winter range.”

Written comments, issues or concerns should be sent to: Spruce Mountain Restoration Project Coordinator, BLM Elko Field Office, 3900 Idaho Street, Elko, NV 89801, by the close of business on April 6, 2007. Comments will be used to guide the preparation of the environmental analysis, which will analyze the proposed action and alternatives for potential impacts.

“Spruce Mountain restoration has been controversial in recent years,” Reid continued. “We are expanding our public involvement opportunities and urge the public to tell us what they think.”
The preliminary description of the Spruce Mountain Restoration Project is available on the Elko Field Office website at http://www.nv.blm.gov/elko/planning.htm . For questions or more information, please contact Tom Reid by phone - (775) 753-0264, by email - treid@nv.blm.gov, or by mail to the field office.

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