BLM reports geothermal lease sale, multiple mineral projects; permit work slowed after loss of fish biologist

A Bureau of Land Management representative updated the Elko County Natural Resources Commission on ongoing and upcoming mineral and grazing work and said permit timelines have slowed after the agency temporarily lost a fish biologist.

The BLM representative said a geothermal lease sale will begin a 30‑day review period on June 25 and that the Nevada North Lithium Project’s 30‑day appeal period closes on Friday the 4th. “Swift North persists as it does,” the representative said, adding the agency expects more project submittals in coming weeks.

Why this matters: several of the projects are in or adjacent to sensitive areas that require environmental review, and the BLM’s capacity to complete biological assessments and grazing permit renewals has been reduced while the fish biologist position is vacant.

The representative listed current mineral proposals: a Coyote mine expansion (kickoff meeting held Jan. 16), Beacon Hill exploration (pozolan resource), and a Juniper Loaf plan of operations that lies inside a wilderness study area and will require an environmental assessment. The Juniper Loaf project was described as a very small operation involving roughly half‑acre disturbances and phased reclamation.

The BLM said permit work on LCT (sage‑grouse/locally referenced) matters — including Jackstone and Adobe Hills permit renewals and a Water Gap modification environmental assessment — will be delayed “just a little bit” while the agency does additional field data collection this summer. The representative explained the vacant fish biologist position was one of the capacity‑building posts funded through the Inflation Reduction Act and hosted locally; litigation over that funding has left the position unfilled for now.

Commissioners asked for clarification on the lithium project’s location; the representative said it is in the North Salmon River area and is currently exploration only. The representative also said seasonal hires and returning employees will help the range program complete summer monitoring work.

The BLM representative invited further questions; none were raised before the meeting moved on to the next agenda item.