BLM Utah News Releases

National Forests Added and Comment Period Formally Extended on Planning for Sage-Grouse Conservation Measures

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:35:30 -0700

In cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will issue a corrected Notice of Intent to address sage-grouse in 10 additional National Forest System Lands and Resource Management Plans and formally extended the comment period through March 23, 2012. The notice will appear in the February 10, 2012, Federal Register.

Volunteers Needed for Raptor Inventory Nest Survey

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 13:55:50 -0700

Salt Lake City, Utah—The Bureau of Land Management, Utah is asking for volunteers to help conduct the annual Raptor Inventory Nest Survey (RINS) this spring in northern Utah. Training workshops will be held February 25 and March 3, 2012. To become a volunteer you will need to attend one of the available workshops at the BLM Salt Lake Field Office, 2370 South 2300 West, Salt Lake City, Utah.

BLM Announces Three Selections for National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 12:30:40 -0700

The Bureau of Land Management announced today that it has made selections for three positions on the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board. The BLM has chosen Callie Hendrickson of Grand Junction, Colorado, as a new appointee for the category of General Public; June C. Sewing of Cedar City, Utah, as a new appointee for the category of Wild Horse and Burro Advocacy; and Boyd M. Spratling, DVM, of Deeth, Nevada, as a re-appointee to the category of Veterinary Medicine. These individuals will each serve three-year terms as members of the Advisory Board.

Ms. Hendrickson is Executive Director, White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts, and owner and consultant for E-Z Communications. As executive director of the conservation districts, Ms. Hendrickson has extensive experience in addressing public rangeland health concerns for the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts. Her career is focused on natural resource policy development and education. She has served on the Colorado Foundation for Water Education, Mesa County 4-H Foundation, Mesa County Farm Bureau, and the Mesa County Cattlewomen. Ms. Hendrickson replaces Janet M. Jankura.

Ms. Sewing is Executive Director and Secretary for the National Mustang Association, for which she has worked since 1985. Her current responsibilities include management of the association’s wild horse sanctuary. Ms. Sewing has also served as the president of various charitable organizations, as trustee on the Cedar City hospital board for 20 years, and on a local committee dealing with the endangered Utah prairie dog. Ms. Sewing has received a Citizen Volunteer award from the Chamber of Commerce, Board of Realtors, and Southern Utah University. Ms. Sewing replaces Robin Lohnes.

BLM Issues Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Oil Shale and Tar Sands; Preferred Alternative Identifies Research and Development as Appropriate First Step on Public Lands

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 10:45:40 -0700

Opens 90-day public review and comment period

BLM Improves Sagebrush Habitat in Tooele County

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 08:05:00 -0700

Salt Lake City,Utah—The BLM is conducting a broad-scale project to reduce the accumulation of hazardous fuels and enhance wildlife habitat east of Stockton this winter. A mechanical shredder (Bullhog) will be used to thin trees within thick areas of juniper, with islands of mature trees and wildlife corridors remaining undisturbed. The treatment area on the west slope of the Oquirrh Mountains is critical winter range for both mule deer and elk.

“Our goal is to reduce fire risk and protect and enhance sagebrush habitat by reducing the expansion of young juniper trees into areas that used to be dominated by shrubs and grasses. Where junipers dominate they can degrade habitat by outcompeting other species for light, moisture, and nutrients eventually resulting in nearly complete removal of the understory” said BLM Natural Resource Specialist Brad Jessop.

BLM Improves Sagebrush Habitat in Box Elder County

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 07:55:10 -0700

Salt Lake City,Utah—The BLM is conducting two broad-scale projects to reduce the accumulation of hazardous fuels and enhance wildlife habitat in northwestern Box Elder County this winter. A mechanical shredder (Bullhog) will be used to thin trees within thick areas of juniper, with islands of mature trees and wildlife corridors remaining undisturbed.

BLM Extends Deadline for Nominations for Reclamation and Sustainable Mineral Development Awards

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:45:10 -0700

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has extended to March 30 the deadline for nominations for the 2012 Reclamation and Sustainable Mineral Development Awards. These awards recognize solid mineral (non-coal) development operations that embody the principles of sustainable development or represent outstanding examples of reclamation or environmental stewardship.

These non-monetary awards highlight some of the finest examples of responsible mineral resource development and illustrate the principles of sustainable development without compromising the needs of future generations. The awards program also helps to promote successful ideas and practices that may be implemented at various locations throughout the nation.

“Sustainable development is the underpinning of this awards program,” said BLM Director Bob Abbey. “It meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

The awards fall under five categories – the Hardrock Mineral Environmental Award, the Hardrock Mineral Community Outreach and Economic Security Award, the Hardrock Mineral Small Operator Award, the Hardrock Mineral Director’s Award, and the “Fix A Shaft Today!” Award.

The Hardrock Mineral Environmental Award recognizes efforts in environmental stewardship. This category recognizes achievements demonstrating continuous or repeated efforts to successfully meet or exceed Federal, State, or local reclamation requirements with minimal oversight.

The Hardrock Mineral Community Outreach and Economic Security Award recognizes projects that show concern for community responsibilities and the economic benefits of mineral development. This award recognizes successful coordination of projects with local and regional stakeholders. Projects that contribute to quality of life or show concern for a community’s long-term health are also eligible.

BLM Seeks Nominations to Resource Advisory Councils

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:25:20 -0700

The Bureau of Land Management in Utah announced today that it is seeking public nominations for five open positions on its 15-member Resource Advisory Council (RAC), which advises the BLM on public land issues. The BLM will consider the nominations for 45 days after today, when the agency is publishing its formal call for nominations in the Federal Register.

The BLM’s RACs, composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, help the Bureau carry out its stewardship of 245 million acres of public lands. The Bureau, which manages more land than any other Federal agency, has 29 RACs across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located. Each RAC consists of 10 to 15 members with an interest in public land management, including such individuals as conservationists, ranchers, outdoor recreationists, state and local government officials, Tribal officials, and academics. The diverse membership of each RAC is aimed at achieving a balanced outlook that the BLM needs for its mission, which is to manage the public lands for multiple uses.

“I value the advice given to the BLM by these citizen-based Resource Advisory Committees,” said BLM Director Bob Abbey. “The people who live, work, and recreate near or on BLM-managed lands deserve a formal voice on public land issues, and their input will enhance our agency’s ability to manage the public lands for multiple uses while conserving resources for future generations.”

Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on an advisory council. Nominees, who must be residents of Utah, will be judged on the basis of their training, education, and knowledge of the council’s geographical area. Nominees should also demonstrate a commitment to consensus building and collaborative decisionmaking.

All nominations must be accompanied by letters of reference (a minimum of two) from any represented interests or organizations; a completed background information nomination form; and any other information that speaks to the nominee's qualifications. Nomination forms are available from the BLM offices and from BLM’s website at http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/res/resource_advisory.html. The BLM consults with Utah Governor Herbert before forwarding its recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior for final decision.

The five RAC positions open on the Utah RAC are in the following category/ies:

Category One – Public land ranchers and representatives of organizations associated with energy and mineral development, the timber industry, transportation or rights-of-way, off-highway vehicle use, and commercial recreation.

Category Two – Representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological and historical organizations, dispersed recreation activities, and wild horse and burro organizations.

Category Three – Representatives of state, county, or local elected office; representatives and employees of a state agency responsible for the management of natural resources; representatives of Indian Tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the RAC is organized; representatives and employees of academic institutions who are involved in natural sciences; and the public-at-large.

Nominations should be sent by Monday, March 12, 2012, to the Bureau of Land Management, Attn: Sherry Foot, Special Programs Coordinator, 440 West 200 South, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84101; phone (801) 539-4195.

BLM Seeks Nominations to Resource Advisory Councils

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:25:20 -0700

The five RAC positions open on the Utah RAC are in the following category/ies:

Pile Burning Planned Near Ibapah

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:30:30 -0700

Snow on the ground and favorable weather conditions have provided a window for trained fire personnel from the West Desert District BLM burn piles of tree slash piles southeast of Ibapah this week. The piles are the by-product of a thinning project performed near the community of Ibapah; the primary goal of this is to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire by breaking up the continuity of the juniper woodland. Up to twenty acres of piles may be burned.

Fire managers have performed similar treatments throughout the last decade. Observations from prior treatments have exhibited secondary success by improving wildlife habitat through an increase in herbaceous vegetation, formerly crowded out by the dense juniper.

This thinning project is known as the Ibapah Stewardship project and is made up of two units; one at 45 acres and the other at 55 acres. The work reduces juniper density and provides wood products for the community of Ibapah.

Fire crews will monitor burn piles following ignition days.