Meeting Summary
Thursday, March 25, 2004
BLM Las Vegas Field Office
BLM Las Vegas Field Office
Resource Advisory Council members present and category represented:
Kenny Anderson Native American
Dr. Colleen Beck Archeology/Historic
Thalia Dondero Elected Official
Jerry Helton Transportation/Row (Chair)
Dr. John E. Hiatt Wildlife
Robert Maichle Environment
Steve Mellington Public at Large (vice-Chair)
Dr. Steve Parker Academic/UNLV
Claire Toomey Permitted Recreation
John Weisser Dispersed Recreation
Billie Young Wild Horse & Burro
Joann Schoch Representative – Jon C. Porter
Kenny Anderson Native American
Dr. Colleen Beck Archeology/Historic
Thalia Dondero Elected Official
Jerry Helton Transportation/Row (Chair)
Dr. John E. Hiatt Wildlife
Robert Maichle Environment
Steve Mellington Public at Large (vice-Chair)
Dr. Steve Parker Academic/UNLV
Claire Toomey Permitted Recreation
John Weisser Dispersed Recreation
Billie Young Wild Horse & Burro
Joann Schoch Representative – Jon C. Porter
Resource Advisory Council members absent:
Marta Agee Ranching/Grazing
Mark Hill State of Nevada
Mark N. Ioli Mineral Development
Ben Patterson Ranching/Grazing
Marta Agee Ranching/Grazing
Mark Hill State of Nevada
Mark N. Ioli Mineral Development
Ben Patterson Ranching/Grazing
Bureau of Land Management representatives present:
Amy Leuders BLM NSO Associate State Director
Charles Carroll Sloan Canyon NCA manager
Chris Hanefeld BLM Ely Field Office PAO
Gene Kolkman BLM Ely Field Manager
Mark Morse BLM Las Vegas Field Office Manager
Amy Leuders BLM NSO Associate State Director
Charles Carroll Sloan Canyon NCA manager
Chris Hanefeld BLM Ely Field Office PAO
Gene Kolkman BLM Ely Field Manager
Mark Morse BLM Las Vegas Field Office Manager
USFS representatives present:
None
None
Public Attendees:
None
None
A copy of each attachment is listed in the text of or at the end of these minutes and is also on file with the official copy of the minutes in the Ely Field Office of the BLM. Persons desiring to review said minutes should contact Chris Hanefeld, public affairs specialist, at (702) 515-5046.
Chairperson Jerry Helton called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
Steve Mellington went over the agenda.
8:35 a.m. – Update: BLM Ely Field Office Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (Ely RMP/EIS), BLM Ely Field Manager Gene Kolkman, BLM Ely Field Office RMP Project Manager Gene Drais:
Went over schedule for RMP/EIS, alternatives and drafts.
Went over top five issues: ENRP; Mineral development; Potential for water lines corridors; pumping water to Las Vegas; livestock management, elk, horses; recreation use.
Congratulated for accomplishing setting AML’s.
Went over schedule for RMP/EIS, alternatives and drafts.
Went over top five issues: ENRP; Mineral development; Potential for water lines corridors; pumping water to Las Vegas; livestock management, elk, horses; recreation use.
Congratulated for accomplishing setting AML’s.
Talked about a drought, Ely is in its seventh year. Bob Maichle asked questions about plan for drought and restoration project. VDT models were explained as an adaptive plan for management.
Bob Maichle voiced concerns about OHV problems and thresholds. Gene explained how the plan would have limits of closures of transportation planning. Bob voiced opinion of Coal Valley and the travel management plan and a revision. Dr. John Hiatt questioned if he was going to leave most of the district open to OHV or just existing roads and trails. Gene stated it would only be existing roads and trails and how it won’t be an easy task. The road to Charcoal Ovens has approximately 500 miles of trails. More was discussed on other areas, trails and OHV’s.
See attachment #1.
See attachment #1.
9 a.m. – Update: Sloan Canyon Environmental Impact Statement, Sloan Canyon NCA Manager Charles Carroll.
Reviewed RMP schedule, discussed web site, discussed alternatives.
Reviewed Power Point presentation and the public meeting held March 24, 2004.
Concerns were raised over trash cleanup (party boat), volunteers, visitors, OHV’s, wildlife and environmental concerns.
Is there a site to where an OHV site can be developed? This could be discussed at a later date.
See attachment #2
Reviewed RMP schedule, discussed web site, discussed alternatives.
Reviewed Power Point presentation and the public meeting held March 24, 2004.
Concerns were raised over trash cleanup (party boat), volunteers, visitors, OHV’s, wildlife and environmental concerns.
Is there a site to where an OHV site can be developed? This could be discussed at a later date.
See attachment #2
9:40 – Update on Nevada Power. Eileen Wynkoop.
Displayed maps, which showed the location of Harry Allen to Mead 500 KV transmission line project.
Reviewed schedule for the Harry Allen to Mead 500 KV transmission line project.
Conveyed which cooperating agencies they are working with.
Discussed what environmental actions they are partaking in (wildlife, air quality, soils, etc..), what they are protecting and what they are not impacting.
Public comment period ends April 12, was extended one week due to the BLM Internet being down.
Questions raised about environmental concerns and route of transmission line; OHV and long term consequences of developing more roads and trails;
Eileen has copy of plan you can get from her either hard copy of soft copy.
Displayed maps, which showed the location of Harry Allen to Mead 500 KV transmission line project.
Reviewed schedule for the Harry Allen to Mead 500 KV transmission line project.
Conveyed which cooperating agencies they are working with.
Discussed what environmental actions they are partaking in (wildlife, air quality, soils, etc..), what they are protecting and what they are not impacting.
Public comment period ends April 12, was extended one week due to the BLM Internet being down.
Questions raised about environmental concerns and route of transmission line; OHV and long term consequences of developing more roads and trails;
Eileen has copy of plan you can get from her either hard copy of soft copy.
Eileen Wynkoop Environmental Scientist – Nevada Power Company.
Renee Kolvet Bureau of Reclamation
See attachment #3
Renee Kolvet Bureau of Reclamation
See attachment #3
Helton recessed the meeting at 10:00 am, reconvening at 10:30 a.m.
Reminded that there are five positions/terms that are expiring.
10 a.m. – Update: Expanded Boundary Environmental Impact Statement, Environmental Protection Specialist Jeff Steinmetz:
Reviewed schedule, alternatives, creative rights of way’s, Aragon study, meeting next week for inventories.
Draft document will be available in June, with a 60-day comment period. Record of decision in November.
There will still be three alternatives. Approximately 37 archeological sites that are eligible for the national register. No information on plants yet.
o Systematic disposal of land. 2018 is a disposal date.
o RMP as it exists now and what impacts alternatives and protection of resources.
o Creative rights of ways are to overlay GIS databases for all resources and identify and assess resources.
o Aragon study due around April 2 for first draft.
Reviewed schedule, alternatives, creative rights of way’s, Aragon study, meeting next week for inventories.
Draft document will be available in June, with a 60-day comment period. Record of decision in November.
There will still be three alternatives. Approximately 37 archeological sites that are eligible for the national register. No information on plants yet.
o Systematic disposal of land. 2018 is a disposal date.
o RMP as it exists now and what impacts alternatives and protection of resources.
o Creative rights of ways are to overlay GIS databases for all resources and identify and assess resources.
o Aragon study due around April 2 for first draft.
Concerns over vacant land, rights of ways, land disposal and water.
NEEDS TIME ON THE NEXT AGENDA-AT LEAST AN HOUR
NEEDS TIME ON THE NEXT AGENDA-AT LEAST AN HOUR
11 a.m. – BLM Field Manager’s updates:
11:00 – 11:50BLM Ely Field Manager’s Report; Gene Kolkman, BLM Ely Field Manager:
See attachment #1 –
o Lincoln County Land Act – one decision was for Desert Tortoise, another was for land disposal around Mesquite. Gene gave a brief background on the Act. A month ago Ely decided to offer the lands for sale in August. The federal Judge ruled against Ely. Ely is evaluating ruling, with one option to appeal and another would be to do an EIS. This would take until late 2006 to 2007.
§ Questions raised over man-hours and money spent.
§ Selling land below cost.
See attachment #1 –
o Lincoln County Land Act – one decision was for Desert Tortoise, another was for land disposal around Mesquite. Gene gave a brief background on the Act. A month ago Ely decided to offer the lands for sale in August. The federal Judge ruled against Ely. Ely is evaluating ruling, with one option to appeal and another would be to do an EIS. This would take until late 2006 to 2007.
§ Questions raised over man-hours and money spent.
§ Selling land below cost.
o Discussion on the Duck Creek Basin Travel Management plan.
§ Emergency closure
§ Concerns over accessing roads and trails.
§ Emergency closure
§ Concerns over accessing roads and trails.
o Discussion on Wild Horse & Burro program
§ Any roundups planned?
§ Wild Horse & Burrow – growth; range; mortality and survival; hauling water.
§ Setting AML.
§ Any roundups planned?
§ Wild Horse & Burrow – growth; range; mortality and survival; hauling water.
§ Setting AML.
Helton recessed the meeting at 11:50 am, reconvening at 12:30 a.m.
BLM Tonopah Field Manager’s Report; Bill Fisher, BLM Tonopah Field Manager:
See attachment #4
See attachment #4
12:30 – 1:00: BLM Las Vegas Field Manager’s Report; Mark Morse, BLM Las Vegas Field Manager:
See attachment #5
o Concerns rose on Oliver Ranch and because there is work being done when the process hasn’t even been completed, or a done deal. Water being drilled to determine if there is water, but plans have already been made anticipating this water.
o There are several alternative sites for this project.
o Concerns over which students can attend the school, e.g. rich kids, poor kids, by districts…
o Concerns about wind energy and on which groups are still interested and who has bailed out in the Ely Office and Las Vegas Office.
See attachment #5
o Concerns rose on Oliver Ranch and because there is work being done when the process hasn’t even been completed, or a done deal. Water being drilled to determine if there is water, but plans have already been made anticipating this water.
o There are several alternative sites for this project.
o Concerns over which students can attend the school, e.g. rich kids, poor kids, by districts…
o Concerns about wind energy and on which groups are still interested and who has bailed out in the Ely Office and Las Vegas Office.
Helton recessed the meeting at 1 p.m. for a field tour of Oliver Ranch/Red Rock Canyon.
APPROVED BY:
Jerry Helton, Chair
Jerry Helton, Chair
Minutes provided by Melanie Peterson, BLM Ely Field Office
Attachments:
BLM Ely Field Office programs update
Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area
Harry Allen to Mead – 500 KV Transmission line project
BLM Battle Mountain Field Office programs update
BLM Las Vegas Field Office programs update
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