Information Related to Proposed Land Use Plans and Withdrawals

-BLM Proposing New Conservation and Landscape Health Regulations

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes new regulations that, pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, and other relevant authorities, would advance the BLM's mission to manage the public lands for multiple use and sustained yield by prioritizing the health and resilience of ecosystems across those lands. To ensure that health and resilience, the proposed rule provides that the BLM will protect intact landscapes, restore degraded habitat, and make wise management decisions based on science and data. To support these activities, the proposed rule would apply land health standards to all BLM-managed public lands and uses, clarify that conservation is a “use” within FLPMA's multiple-use framework, and revise existing regulations to better meet FLPMA's requirement that the BLM prioritize designating and protecting Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs). The proposed rule would add language to provide an overarching framework for multiple BLM programs to promote ecosystem resilience on public lands.

The proposed rule and detailed information on commenting can be found here - https://www.regulations.gov/document/BLM-2023-0001-0001

Comment Period has been extended until July 5th, 2023.

The BLM intends to host two virtual and three in-person meetings to provide detailed information about the proposal. Members of the public will have an opportunity to ask questions that facilitate a deeper understanding of the proposal. The dates and cities of the meetings are:

Virtual meeting on Monday, May 15, 2023, from 5-7 p.m. MT
Register at https://swca.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_S4-EBLxqRHa-yikYQQUNQw)

Denver, Colorado, on Thursday, May 25, 2023, from 5-7 p.m. MT
Denver West Marriott, 1717 Denver West Blvd, Golden, Colorado

Albuquerque, New Mexico on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, from 5-7 p.m. MT
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th Street NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Reno, Nevada on Thursday, June 1, 2023, from 5-7 p.m. PT
Reno-Sparks Convention Center, 4950 S Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada

Virtual meeting on Monday, June 5, 2023, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. MT
Register at https://swca.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QwRH6XZeS6amUDI70FzriA 

--Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2023 (HR 3173)

On May 10, 2023, U.S. Representative Mark Amodei reintroduced the Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act, legislation “which will allow for the conveyance of federal lands to Douglas County, Pershing County, Carson City, the City of Fernley, the City of Sparks, and the Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) for public purposes and economic development. Additionally, this bill designates nearly 150,000 acres of wilderness in northern Nevada and removes the possibility of oil and gas leasing in over 300,000 acres of the Ruby Mountains of Elko County. This represents over 450,000 acres of land given conservation protections, compared to the less than 40,000 acres identified for development.”

Text of the bill can be seen here – HR 3173 2023 Lands Bill text. Text to a summary of the bill by section can be seen here – HR 3173 2023 Lands Bill Breakdown. 

--Mineral Withdrawal in Sagebrush Focal Areas

As published in the August 13, 2021 Federal Register, the Secretary of the Interior is re-initiating consideration of the 2015 proposal, as amended in 2016, "to withdraw approximately 10 million acres of public and National Forest Service lands from location and mineral entry under the US mining laws to protect the Greater Sage-Grouse and its habitat, subject to valid existing rights. The notice does not segregate any of the lands in the described in the proposal, which, subject to any overlapping withdrawals, remain open to location and entry under the mining laws.  "The BLM will shortly issue a new draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and publish a Notice of Availability (NOA) initiating a public comment period."

The August 13, 2021 Federal Register notice and map of lands proposed for withdrawal can be seen here - Notice to Re-initiate Proposed Withdrawal: Sagebrush Focal Areas.

Additional information can be found on the BLM National NEPA Register at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/70697/510

 -- Fallon Range Training Complex (FRTC) Modernization Proposal 

Explanation: The Fallon Range Training Complex (FRTC) encompasses the Dixie Valley Training Area and four land bombing ranges. The Navy’s stated goal of the proposed modernization is to “improve both ground and air training by providing a more realistic training environment and acceptable distances and altitudes for the release of weapons. Current training is limited due to inadequate space.”

On December 23, 2022, President Biden signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act (FFY 2023) which includes the Navy’s FRTC expansion and withdrawal of approximately 558,000 acres of land for the military and more than 580,000 acres of federal land withdrawn from multiple use for new conservation and wilderness areas. A map and summary of impacts can be found here.

As part of the 2023 NDAA, the Division was added to the membership of the Intergovernmental Executive Committee (IEC). The IEC meets regularly "for the purpose of exchanging views, information, and advice relating to the management of the natural and cultural resources" on the affected lands. Information on the IEC and their meetings can be found using this link - https://frtcmodernization.com/IEC.

The determination of next steps for mining claims is dependent on the results and analyses of ongoing surveys of all lands addressed in the NDAA, this includes realignment of SR 361 and relocation of the Great Basin Pipeline. Other than the reference in the Navy’s published timeline, to “Evaluate/nominal payment for mining claims” in Q1 and Q2 of Federal Fiscal Year 2025, there is currently no new information regarding mining claims. Entities who believe they may have impacted mining claims are encouraged to contact the BLM Carson City District Office.

 --Truckee Meadows Public Lands Management Act

In April 2023, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) unveiled a working draft of the Truckee Meadows Public Lands Management Act, legislation to “expand economic and housing development opportunities, support local Tribes, promote conservation, and improve public lands management in Washoe County.” The draft language can be seen here – Truckee Meadows Discussion Draft. 

A website was recently re-launched, LandsBill.org, with updated information, stated goals of the bill, informational links and draft proposal maps for review. Comments on the working draft can be submitted, until June 6, 2023, to : TMPLMA_comments@rosen.senate.gov

Washoe County, the City of Reno and the City of Sparks are working together to seek feedback on the effort via the website, providing another opportunity for the community to share input during this process. Click here to sign up for email updates.

For questions, to review information and to provide feedback, the community is welcome to visit LandsBill.org or email: landsbill@washoecounty.us. 

Click here to view a summary of lands proposed for withdrawal and release within this Act.

 -- Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act

In June 2018, the Clark County Board of Commissioners voted 6-0 in favor of the Draft Resolution that urges Congress to advance federal legislation that would expand conservation of public lands and economic development opportunities in Clark County.

In partnership with several local governments and organizations, Clark County drafted federal legislation that embodies the resolution passed by the Board and   moves Clark County forward through pragmatic, science and research based planning that fosters economic growth while preserving the conservation, habitat and species that makes Southern Nevada a sustainable and beautiful  place to live, to work and to explore.

Draft language of the bill and maps can be found on the Lands Bill website:
https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/environment_and_sustainability/clark_county_lands_bill/index.php