BLM announces updates on Lahontan herd management and geothermal projects in Churchill County

The Churchill County Board of County Commissioners meeting on March 19, 2025, featured significant updates from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regarding various projects and personnel changes in the region.

Mark Mazza, assistant field manager, provided a summary of personnel updates, noting that Katherine Dyer has returned to her full-time position as the Stillwater Field Manager in Reno. A selection process for a permanent Stillwater Field Manager is underway, which aims to stabilize leadership after a series of acting managers.

The meeting also highlighted ongoing projects, particularly the Sand Canyon Road realignment, which involves collaboration between BLM, Bureau of Reclamation, and other agencies to determine maintenance and next steps. The focus remains on the B-sixteen grazing allotments, with regular meetings addressing the impact of withdrawals on grazing permits.

Mazza reported that BLM is actively involved in the Great Basin pipeline realignment and the State Route 361 road realignment, both necessary for accommodating infrastructure expansion. An upcoming meeting on March 24 will delve deeper into these topics.

In wildlife management, BLM is conducting census flights for wild horse and burrow populations, with efforts to monitor various herds in the region. The Lahontan herd is a priority, with a public comment period currently open for its gather environmental assessment.

Geothermal projects in Churchill County were also discussed, including the Dixie Meadows project, which is in collaboration with the Navy and other agencies to finalize environmental baselines. The Diamond Flat exploration project is progressing through the NEPA process, with a memorandum of agreement being sought for historical treatment plans.

Additionally, updates on mineral projects included the Bell Mountain Mine, which has changed ownership to Lincoln Resource Group and is moving forward with pre-construction activities. Cosmo Dixie Exploration is expanding its lithium brine exploration efforts near Dixie Meadows, increasing the number of proposed drill pads.

Overall, the meeting underscored BLM's commitment to managing land resources effectively while addressing environmental and community concerns in Churchill County.