Ely District Office
| Contacts: | Chris Hanefeld | , 775-289-1842 | , chris_hanefeld@nv.blm.gov |
BLM Seeks Public Comment on Draft Integrated Weed Management Plan and Preliminary Environmental Assessment
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ely District is asking for the public to comment on a draft integrated weed management plan and preliminary environmental assessment that would provide for non-native and noxious invasive weed inventory; and treatment, prevention and education.
The 30-day public comment period concludes at close of business, Friday, August 7, 2009. Interested individuals should address all written comments to the BLM Ely District Office, HC 33 Box 33500, Ely, NV, 89301, attn: Bonnie Million.
The draft district-wide plan includes weed prevention procedures, education and outreach plans, and a variety of treatment options in and outside of wilderness or wilderness study areas, including the use of herbicides. Herbicide treatments would not be authorized within threatened and endangered species habitat.
Non-native and noxious invasive weeds threaten ecosystem health in the Great Basin and Mojave Deserts. Non-native and noxious invasive weeds destroy wildlife habitat, and increase wildland fire frequency and size; reduce plant and animal diversity, disrupt waterfowl and neo-tropical migratory bird flight patterns and nesting habitats, reduce opportunities for hunting, fishing, camping and other recreational activities; and cost millions of dollars in treatments and loss of productivity to private landowners.
The BLM anticipates completing the final plan in October 2009.
For more information, contact Bonnie Million, BLM Ely District noxious and invasive weeds specialist, at 775-726-8100 or bonnie_million@blm.gov.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
Ely District Office 702 N. Industrial Way Ely, NV 89301