BLM Seeks Public Input on Managing Wild Horses during Drought–Now that it’s raining

Water for wildlife in Nevada including wild horses (Photo © Anne Novak, all rights reserved.)

Water for wild horses and wildlife in Nevada (Photo © Anne Novak, all rights reserved.)

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City, Nev., District is seeking public input on the development of an environmental assessment (EA) for management of livestock and wild horses within the Carson City District during drought conditions. Input is needed by Jan. 16, 2013, to be considered in development of the EA.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Nevada is currently experiencing moderate to extreme drought conditions. The proposed EA will be prepared to allow the BLM to respond to current and future drought conditions. Some of the factors to be examined will be winter/spring precipitation; water availability for livestock, wild horses, and wildlife; residual forage from previous growing seasons; current year’s forage plant growth; plant vigor; soil moisture content; soil/site stability and hydrologic function; riparian health and function; plant community composition; and wildlife habitat condition. Other factors could also be incorporated as needed.

The proposed EA will analyze a wide range of temporary drought response alternatives that could be used to mitigate the effects of drought. Input can be submitted via email toCCDODroughtEA@blm.gov, or mailed to BLM, Carson City District, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, NV 89701.

Comments–including names, street addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers of respondents–will be available for public review at the Carson City District Office during regular business hours. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment–including your personal identifying information–could be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. All submissions from organizations and businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be available for public inspection in their entirety.

Questions or comments regarding the EA can be addressed to Angelica Rose, project manager, at 775/885-6008.