Public input welcomed for Programmatic ESR & Weeds Environmental Assessment
ELKO, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Elko District Office invites the public to provide input on the Programmatic ESR & Weeds Environmental Assessment (EA). This EA will update existing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents and will cover vegetation management work located within the Elko District, which encompasses Elko County, and the northern portions of Eureka, and Lander Counties. The 30-day public review period will open September 9, 2024, and will close October 9, 2024.
Two programs that perform vegetation management within the Elko District include the Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ESR) and Weeds Management programs. These programs utilize a multi-disciplinary approach using a variety of land management tools to rehabilitate and restore lands affected by wildland fire. Some of the tools available include aerial and ground-based seeding, aerial and ground-based herbicide application, range improvements (e.g., fences), and vegetation inventory and monitoring. The goal of the ESR and Weeds programs are to stabilize soils, rehabilitate and restore rangelands and wildlife habitat, protect cultural and heritage resources, and to prevent degradation to natural resources following wildfire.
The Elko District has implemented 1,278,998 acres of ESR treatments from 2000 through 2023, averaging approximately 64,000 acres annually. From 2000 through 2023, the Weeds Management program has averaged approximately 763,000 acres of noxious weeds inventory and herbicide treatments annually.
This Proposed Action of the EA incorporates new technologies, including site stabilization and seeding technologies, updates the herbicides available to use to treat invasive annual grasses and noxious weeds, promotes innovations in rangeland research and ecology, expedites processes and workloads, and is more cost-effective and efficient. The Proposed Action also allows compliance with applicable Federal laws and regulations, including the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA).
The BLM remains committed to an inclusive approach, involving the public, and conducting a comprehensive environmental assessment in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.
Substantive comments may be submitted in the following ways by October 9, 2024:
- Online via the “participate now” feature on the National NEPA Register at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2033979/510
- Emailed to BLM_NV_ELDO_ESRWEEDS_Projects@blm.gov (Subject line should include “Programmatic ESR & Weeds EA”)
- U.S. Mail to:
Bureau of Land Management
ATTN: Programmatic ESR & Weeds EA
3900 East Idaho Street
Elko, NV 89801
Before including addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, or other personal identifying information in comments, be aware that entire comments-including personal identifying information-may be made publicly available at any time. While commenters can request that personal identifying information be withheld from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
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.