BLM reports NEPA process changes, grazing decisions and geothermal activity affecting Churchill County

Zach Bridal, a representative of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Carson City District, told the Churchill County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 16 that the BLM has adopted a set of process changes under the National Environmental Policy Act and accepted numerous categorical exclusions to speed routine actions.

Bridal said the office “has accepted 433 categorical exclusions,” a change he said would allow the BLM to process repeat, low‑impact actions more quickly. He described examples such as renewals of existing rights‑of‑way for power lines that do not change the ground footprint.

The briefing covered multiple land‑management topics that affect Churchill County. Bridal noted that the final decision on the B16 grazing allotment was issued Sept. 3 and that “the appeal period is open on that decision until October 10,” giving interested parties a window to file appeals. He also said the BLM met with the county and the Navy on Sept. 12 to discuss options for the Sand Canyon Road realignment related to National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) matters.

Mark, a BLM staff member speaking about grazing and range management, said the agency is rolling out a prescribed‑grazing pilot with Eastgate Ranch (Pleasant Valley Livestock) and that “we're expecting the grazing to begin on October 1.” He also said monitoring is underway on grazing permit renewals for allotments B16, B17 and B20.

Bridal described ongoing work on a Nevada‑specific record of decision for a greater sage‑grouse amendment tied to an environmental impact statement expected next month, and he said the district received an appeal on a gather environmental assessment for wild horses and burros; the BLM plans an adoption event Oct. 25 at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City.

On geothermal and minerals, Bridal said two Churchill County geothermal projects are at different stages: Dixie Meadows is waiting for the proponent to initiate baseline studies via a sundry notice, while Diamond Flat had been approved earlier under alternative/emergency arrangements. He said the BLM will publish a signed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and decision record next month for certain Carson Desert parcels and then hold a geothermal lease sale. For mineral exploration, Bridal said Cosmo Lithium’s Dixie Valley exploration proceeded under a categorical exclusion and would need a different NEPA pathway if disturbance exceeds planned acreage. He reported no movement on the Bell Mountain Mine matter.

The BLM also flagged two upcoming special recreation permits: Legacy Gold Rush (Oct. 9–12) and the Sand Mountain Halloween event; Bridal said seasonal recreation use in the area is increasing. On lands and realty issues, he said the Greenlink North transmission project is subject to a pending protest resolution at the BLM headquarters level; Edwards Creek/Canyon right‑of‑way work had no updates.

County staff asked the BLM to provide the county a draft of the Checkerboard Resolution Implementation Strategy; Bridal said the plan had been presented to county officials and to the state director and would be provided for local review. No formal county action was taken during the presentation; the briefing served as an informational update and a chance for commissioners and staff to request materials and clarify timelines.

The BLM presenters took questions from county staff and commissioners about local impacts, timelines for NEPA documents and where and when community engagement would occur. Bridal urged interested residents to follow online postings for project documents and said formal appeal deadlines and decision records will be published on the BLM’s ePlanning pages.

Because the items discussed include ongoing appeals, environmental reviews and lease sales, county officials indicated they would review BLM materials as they are provided and coordinate follow‑up meetings if needed.