Agencies seek public comment on proposed SNPLMA expenditures

LAS VEGAS - The public has the opportunity to review and comment on the preliminary recommendations for the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA) Round 14 expenditures and a proposed expenditure of Lincoln County Land Act (LCLA) funds for an environmentally-sensitive land acquisition in Elko County.

Written comments will be accepted until June 19.

The SNPLMA funds are generated from the sale of public land in the Las Vegas Valley.

The preliminary recommendations include expenditures of approximately $8.7 million for a variety of conservation, restoration, and improvement projects throughout Nevada, and a set aside for a Special Account Reserve.

The recommendations include:

• Parks, Trails and Natural Areas - $1,383,805

• Capital Improvements - $475,916

• Conservation Initiatives - $1,608,376

• Environmentally Sensitive Land Acquisitions-$381,350

• Hazardous Fuels Reduction and Wildfire Prevention - $1,646,902

• Eastern Nevada Landscape Restoration Project - $1,262,450

• Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan and Implementation - $473,150

• Special Account Reserve - $1.500,000

The preliminary recommendations also include the acquisition of a 413-acre tract of environmentally-sensitive land within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Elko County with revenues generated under the LCLA at an estimated cost of $255,000.

Environmentally-sensitive lands eligible for LCLA funding go through the SNPLMA nomination and recommendation process. Expenditures under the LCLA are approved by the Bureau of Land Management's Nevada State director.

The recommendations, project tables, executive summaries, and project nominations are available on the SNPLMA website at www.blm.gov/snplma. Information about the proposed expenditures is also available for review at the following BLM offices: Southern Nevada District Office, 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas; Nevada State Office, 1340 Financial Blvd., Reno; Ely District Office, 702 N. Industrial Way; Carson City District Office, 5565 Morgan Mill Road; and Elko District Office, 3900 East Idaho St.

The public may submit written comments directly to the SNPLMA Executive Committee Chair, BLM Nevada State Office, 1340 Financial Boulevard, Reno, NV 89502-7147, by fax to the attention of the SNPLMA Executive Committee Chair at (775) 861-6601, 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, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture. 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.[[In-content Ad]]