BLM updates: Crescent Valley geothermal decision targeted; Coyote Mine may seek emergency permitting

Bureau of Land Management staff told the commission they are processing several energy and mineral projects with near-term public deadlines and potential expedited permitting.

Elizabeth Fuentes, the BLM representative, said the public-comment period for the Crescent Valley Plan of Development closed June 11 and the agency is addressing comments with a target decision date of July 16. "The comment period for that has ended ... and right now we're in the process of addressing comments," Fuentes said.

Fuentes said the EA for the 2025 geothermal lease sale opened for 30-day public review last Wednesday and will remain available through July 25; she said the BLM sent letters to affected counties (Elko, Lander and Eureka) and to the state clearinghouse.

The South Railroad project notice-of-intent (NOI) timing was delayed in headquarters; Fuentes said the BLM is targeting publication of the NOI in mid-to-late July to begin a 30-day scoping period.

On the Coyote Mine expansion, Fuentes said the proponent expects to submit the project as an emergency-permitting request "either late this week or early next week." Under the executive order that Fuentes described, emergency EA timelines are substantially compressed compared with standard schedules.

Fuentes also said the Wells Field office is aware of a potential new oil-and-gas application for the Diamond project (Diamond Valley); the BLM will report status once an application is submitted.

Commissioners were offered the chance to ask questions about access routes and timing; Fuentes identified a proposed access route around the reservoir for the South Railroad project and said BLM would provide updates when applications or NOI postings were made public.