Mark Mazza, assistant field manager for the BLM Stillwater Field Office, briefed the Churchill County commissioners on a range of lands and resource issues affecting the county.

Mazza said BLM is the lead agency on the Sand Canyon Road realignment NEPA process and is coordinating with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Navy and county staff while technical baseline studies are collected. He reported BLM has issued grazing engagement letters and expects fully processed grazing permits in fiscal year 2029, and he described a prescribed-grazing pilot at Eastgate Ranch intended to reduce cheatgrass and lower wildfire risk.

Mazza said BLM and the Bureau of Reclamation have drafted an interagency agreement for land-exchange responsibilities and that a draft implementation strategy for a Churchill County 'checkerboard' resolution (section 2908) was shared Dec. 3; an MOU with the county is being drafted. He noted BLM is acting as a cooperating agency on a Federal Highway Administration review of SR‑361 realignment and on a Great Basin Pipeline relocation project working with FERC.

On sage grouse, Mazza said a Record of Decision on the sage grouse amendment was expected shortly and that Churchill County contains a substantial amount of sage grouse habitat; the county will have an opportunity to comment on the plan once the ROD is issued. He also said BLM plans census flights for wild horses in March and has requested funding to survey the Desatoya herd in Churchill County.

Mazza provided updates on mineral projects in the county: Bell Mountain is in a final design/pre-construction phase after a 2020 record of decision; a Dixie Valley lithium exploration project (Cosmo) is operating at notice-level work under the minerals regulations and awaits a revised plan of operations and an environmental review for expanded work. He also noted geotechnical borings for the Green Lake North project were recently approved for sites that cross Churchill County.

The presentation closed with commissioners thanking the BLM for the update and no formal action required at the meeting.

Mazza invited questions and staff indicated they will continue coordination on the listed projects.