BLM Nevada News
ELY DISTRICT OFFICE NO. 2009-31
FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, March 31, 2009
CONTACT: Stephanie Trujillo, (775) 289-1831; stephanie_trujillo@nv.blm.gov

BLM ANNOUNCES RESOURCE ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Northeastern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet Thursday, April 9, 2009, at the BLM Battle Mountain District Office, 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, Nev.

Topics to be discussed include the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act Round 10 nominations and Battle Mountain (District) Resource Management Plan. Updates on grazing permit renewals, Off-Highway Vehicle trails, Ely (District) Resource Management Plan implementation, and mining are also on the agenda.

The regular meeting is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A RAC tour of the Newmont Mining Corporation’s Phoenix Mine will follow.

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to involve the public in planning and discussion of issues related to management of BLM administered public lands. The three Resource Advisory Councils in Nevada help BLM with this community participation directive. The Councils’ membership represents interests in mining, environmental, wild horse and burro, Native American, livestock, state agencies, and elected officials.

The RAC provides advice and recommendations to the BLM on land use planning and management of the public lands. Meetings are open to the public and public comment periods are included in each meeting. This forum provides an excellent opportunity for people to ask questions of the citizen-based advisory council or to make comments that may assist RACs in their planning efforts. The public comment period will begin at 10 a.m.

Members of the public desiring to schedule a tour of the Phoenix Mine should contact Shar Peterson, Newmont Mining Corporation external relations, at (775) 635-6640.

For more information about the meeting, contact Stephanie Trujillo, Northeastern Great Basin RAC coordinator, at (775) 289-1831.

-BLM-