BLM seeks public comment on outcome-based grazing preliminary environmental assessment
Ely, Nev – The Bureau of Land Management is accepting public comments on a preliminary environmental assessment for an outcome-based grazing permit. This 10-year permit would cover thirteen allotments for sheep and cattle grazing permitted to John Uhalde & Company. The new permit would change the grazing season of use, the permitted Animal Unit Months and livestock type. It would also allow the installation of range improvements such as water tanks as well as vegetation management such as thinning pinyon and juniper and re-seeding with perennial grasses. The allotments comprise 562,287 acres in White Pine, Lincoln, and Nye Counties located in the Bristlecone Field Office and Basin and Range National Monument.
The permittee and the associated allotments were selected to participate in the BLM’s Outcome Based Grazing program. This program was initiated to create a collaborative approach to livestock grazing that provides flexibility in grazing use to achieve resource and operational objectives. Flexibility is needed to adapt and provide timely and responsive adjustments in grazing due to changes in weather, forage production, effects of fire or drought, or other temporary conditions.
“Flexibility in livestock grazing is an important tool to achieve and maintain land health standards and allows an adaptive approach to changing conditions on the landscape,” said Robbie Purdie-Williams, Ely District Manager.
The preliminary environmental assessment and associated documents may be viewed on the project website at Outcome Based Grazing John Uhalde & Company Term Permit Renewal.To comment, please use the “Participate Now” tab on the project website. For additional information, please contact Project Manager Alicia Styles at [email protected] or 775-726-8100.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.