Bureau of Land Management news release:
The Bureau of Land Management, Carson City District-Stillwater Field Office, is seeking public comments on a proposed 2,607-acre fuels reduction and habitat restoration project on the west side of the Desatoya Mountains in Churchill County. The proposed project is part of a nationwide initiative to reduce wildland fire risk to communities and to restore and maintain the health of the land within fire-prone areas.
The proposed project has been developed in collaboration with the Nevada Division of Wildlife, the BLM-Carson City District Fuels program and the BLM-Stillwater Field Office Wildlife and Forestry programs.
The vegetation density of the pinyon and juniper trees in the project area would be reduced or removed on up to 2,602 acres in order to modify fire behavior, improve wildlife habitat characteristics and protect sage grouse habitat. Hand and mechanical treatments would be utilized to promote healthy, productive and diverse habitats in the pinyon and juniper woodlands, sagebrush and riparian communities. Within the project area, pinyon and juniper trees would be cut and removed or lop and scattered and/or shredded. Shredded vegetation would be left in place to reduce dust generation and stabilize the soil surface.
All treatment area boundaries would be located outside of the Desatoya Mountains Wilderness Study Area (WSA). Treatment area edges would be irregular in shape. Wildlife travel corridors would be maintained in the drainage just south of Big Den Creek and in Little Den Creek. Specific treatment methods would be selected or areas would be identified for avoidance to protect sensitive resources.
Project maps and additional information are posted at www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/carson_city_field.html.
For more information or to submit public comments on the proposed Big Den Fuels Reduction/Habitat Restoration project before the comment deadline of Sept. 14, please contact:
Fire Ecologist Keith Barker
BLM-Carson City District, Stillwater Field Office
5665 Morgan Mill Rd.
Carson City, NV 89701
Phone: 775-885-6120
E-mail: [email protected]
