Public Comment Sought on Basin and Range National Monument Proposed Funding
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Las Vegas – Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will accept public comments from September 10 through September 25, 2015 on the request for Special Account Reserve (SAR) funding from the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA) for the Basin and Range National Monument. BLM has requested initial funding generated from the sale of public land in the Las Vegas Valley for the newly designated monument in Lincoln and Nye Counties located north of the Las Vegas Valley.
The monument was designated as a unit of the National Landscape Conservation System by Presidential Proclamation on July 10, 2015, under Section 320302 of Title 54, United States Code (known as the “Antiquities Act”). This area is one of the most undisturbed corners of the broader Great Basin region, which extends from the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the west to the Colorado Plateau in the east. The purpose of the Monument is the preservation of its cultural, prehistoric, and historic legacy and maintenance of its diverse array of natural and scientific resources for the benefit of all Americans. The Monument encourages the community to connect with the natural environment while emphasizing healthy and resilient landscapes and protection of unique, undisturbed and unspoiled resources. The legislation set a time frame of three (3) years from the date of the proclamation for completion of a management plan for the Monument, including public involvement and consultation with State, tribal, and local governments. However, the legislation did not specify funding for the newly established monument.
Until the BLM is able to secure funding through the regular federal appropriations cycle, the agency is requesting $408,000 to initiate steps toward a management plan, develop visitor education and use materials, survey the Monument boundary, and ensure site protection.
A full breakdown of the SAR request is available on the SNPLMA website at www.blm.gov/snplma. Information about the proposed expenditures is also available for review at the following BLM office: Southern Nevada District Office, 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89130.
The public may submit written comments directly to Karla D. Norris, SNPLMA Assistant District Manager, Southern Nevada District Office, at the above-listed address, by fax at (702) 515-5110, or by email to snplma@blm.gov.
The SNPLMA Executive Committee will review the comments, and forward its final recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior for approval. The Executive Committee includes the regional directors of the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service
Regional Forester, and the BLM Nevada State Director.
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.