BLM tree-thinning improves sagebrush communities, reduces fire potential
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ELY, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management is masticating, or mechanically shredding pinyon-pine and juniper to re-establish sagebrush communities, improve wildlife habitat and reduce fire potential on 450 acres of recently-seeded public land in Egan Basin, 50-plus miles north of Ely, Nev.
“We chose mastication because it allows us to remove the encroaching trees without damaging adjacent species, such as mountain mahogany. Also, the resulting biomass will serve as mulch for seed we applied earlier this year,” said Cody Coombs, BLM Ely District fuels program manager.
In January, the BLM aerially distributed 4,400 pounds of seed over the project area. Five native and two non-native or introduced species made up the mix of grasses and forbs. Native grasses and forbs applied were bluebunch and thickspike wheatgrass, indian ricegrass, western yarrow and palmer’s penstemon. Introduced were siberian wheatgrass and small burnet, a forb, to support soil stability and provide for erosion control.
“Seed mixes are based on site conditions and use. Native seed is the priority however, non-native seed is used depending on the availability of native seed, site characteristics, and risk of invasive species establishment,” explained Kellie Dobrescu, Range and Wildlife Conservationist.
Tree-thinning will soon stop for migratory bird nesting season. Operations will resume in late July or early August.
The seeding and tree-thinning are components of the landscape-scale Egan and Johnson Basins Restoration Project, a multi-year plan to restore and maintain watershed health while reducing risk of catastrophic wildfire by treating up to 24,346 acres of an 84,675-project area.
The BLM manages more than 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.