BLM updates Churchill County on NDAA checkerboard strategy, grazing range expansions, geothermal and lithium exploration

BLM staff updated the Churchill County Board of Commissioners on a range of public-land projects that could affect county grazing, geothermal development and mineral exploration.

Zach Reichel, Stillwater Field Manager, and Mark Mazza of the BLM said the agency has drafted a Churchill County “Checkerboard Resolution Implementation Strategy Plan” as required by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and expects to brief the state director soon. Reichel said the BLM, Bureau of Reclamation, the Navy and grazing permit holders are coordinating on a path forward for a Sand Canyon Road realignment tied to NDAA requirements. “We’re going to regroup in about two weeks, make sure that we get a template for the review of the draft language that we propose,” Reichel said.

Grazing and range expansions: BLM staff described ongoing coordination on B16 grazing permit adjustments and a plan to follow with similar processes for B17 and B20. Agency staff are prioritizing affected B16 grazing permits and said monitoring and communications with permittees will inform permit renewals.

Land-exchange and NDAA authority: Reichel said the BLM and Bureau of Reclamation were developing an interagency agreement for a land exchange under section 2907 of the NDAA. The BLM described a 100% draft of the Churchill County Checkerboard Resolution Implementation Strategy Plan that must go to the state director for approval before a county presentation.

Highway and pipeline work: The BLM said it is a cooperating agency on State Route 361 work; the Federal Highway Administration and Nevada DOT are conducting baseline environmental and cultural surveys to support NEPA. The agency also reported ongoing coordination with the Navy and the Great Basin pipeline owner on relocation to meet federal rules and NDAA requirements.

Wild horses and gathers: The La Hunt gather EA in Churchill County is in internal final review and the BLM expects a final EA and decision next month, after which gather operations could proceed. An adoption event at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center is scheduled for June 21 and will offer horses for adoption.

Geothermal and lease-sale items: The BLM is advancing two geothermal efforts in Churchill County: baseline monitoring/instrumentation for Dixie Meadows and the Diamond Flat EA, which was selected for an emergency permitting track and sent to Department of Interior solicitor review. The office is in final stages of the annual geothermal lease-sale EA; out of nine nominated parcels across the district two are in Churchill County (referred to as the Carson Desert parcels). Parcel 2179 was deferred because it falls within the Numanue Special Management Area and requires a co-stewardship plan; part of parcel 2171 was deferred because it fell within an NDAA conveyance parcel.

Minerals, lithium and recreation: The Belle Mountain mine (Lincoln Resources Group) is in final design/preconstruction; its EA and decision record and FONSI were issued in March 2020. The Cosmo Dixie exploration program in Dixie Valley has two notices for exploration; proposed disturbances for drill pads and roads were described. The BLM also reviewed special recreation event approvals and an EIS for Greenlink North, noting a record of decision expected in July 2025.

Questions and next steps: BLM staff invited county input once the state director and internal reviews are complete and described continued coordination on grazing permits, NEPA baselines for SR 361 and solicitor review for emergency geothermal permitting.

Provenance: Presentation began with BLM introductions (transcript block starting at 1156.66) and ran through agency Q&A and close (transcript block starting at 1827.23).