CURRENT GRAZING

 

The purpose and need for the action is to fully process and renew the term grazing permit and reissue a permit for Thomas Steele on the Pine Creek (#11012) and Coal Valley Lake (#10108) Allotments. The current grazing term permit was issued from 03/01/2006 to 01/28/2016.These allotments are located in three watersheds, Garden Valley (#185), Coal Valley (#185) and White River South (#160C). Permitted use for the Mahogany Peak Allotment is as follows:

 

 

The issuance of the new term grazing permit could be for a period up to ten years. An evaluation of the range monitoring data and rangeland health will be conducted for the Pine Creek and Coal Valley Lake Allotments.  This data will be summarized in a Standards Determination Document that will be provided for public review at a later date. Term permit renewals are issued in accordance with Title 43 CFR 4130.2(a), “Grazing permits or leases shall be issued to qualified applicants to authorize use on the public lands and other lands under the administration of the Bureau of Land Management that are designated as available for livestock grazing through land use plans.” 

 

ALLOTMENT LOCATION / DISCRIPTION

 

The legal location of the Coal Valley Lake Allotment is as follows:

 

 

The legal location of the Pine Creek Allotment is as follows:

 

 

There are approximately 115,181 acres of public lands in Coal Valley Lake Allotment. The allotment occurs in both Lincoln County and Nye County, Nevada. The allotment is approximately 90 miles south southwest of Ely, Nevada. The western portion of Coal Valley Lake Allotment boarders Worthington Mountain, Cottonwood and Pine Creek Allotments, the northern portion boarders Needles and West Timber Mountain Allotments, the eastern portion boarders Timber Mountain and Narrows Allotments and the southern portion boarders Black Bluff, South Coal Valley and Murphy Gap Allotments. A portion of the Weepah Spring Wilderness is located in the western portion of the Coal Valley Lake Allotment. The annual precipitation ranges from 6 to 18 inches. The elevation ranges from approximately 4,900 feet above sea level in Coal Valley and the White River Narrows to 6,400 feet above sea level in the Golden Gate Range and 8,800 feet above sea level in the Seaman Range.

 

There are approximately 34,734 acres in Pine Creek Allotment of which 1,830 acres are private lands and 32,904 acres of public lands. The allotment occurs in both Lincoln County and Nye County, Nevada. The allotment is approximately 90 miles south southwest of Ely, Nevada. The northern portion of Pine Creek Allotment boarders U. S. Forest Service administered lands and Batterman Wash Allotment, the eastern portion boarders Needles and Coal Valley Lake Allotments and the southern and western portion boarders Cottonwood Allotment. The annual precipitation ranges from 6 to 14 inches. The elevation ranges from approximately 5,200 feet above sea level in Garden Valley to 6,300 feet above sea level in the Golden Gate Range.

 

A Sage Grouse lek is identified three miles from Pine Creek. Pine Creek and Coal Valley Lake has identified late summer, winter and yearlong sage grouse habitat. In addition Coal Valley Lake has identified nesting and early brood habitat. Pine Creek and Coal Valley Lake Allotment is within the Lincoln and Nye “Quinn” Sage Grouse Population Management Unit (PMU). There are no other documented Special Status Species that occur within either allotment. Both allotments contain mule deer and pronghorn antelope habitat. Coal Valley Lake Allotment has a desert bighorn corridor identified as Home Range North Pahroc Range Timber Mountain along the eastern portion of the allotment. Prairie falcon and American kestrel nesting sites are adjacent to Coal Valley Lake Allotment.

 

 

Date Posted: 1/16/09

Contact: Brett Covlin