The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Elko District, Wells Field Office has released a preliminary environmental assessment for a juniper deforestation project and is seeking public comment on the plan.
BLM said the vegetation treatment project will protect, improve and restore habitat for various species, including the greater sage-grouse. Conservation groups claim BLM is acting in favor of livestock grazing instead.
“Bulldozing down established pinyon-juniper stands has a poor track record in recovering sage-grouse and helping other species like elk or mule deer,” said Adam Bronstein, director for Nevada and Oregon with Western Watersheds Project.
“We know, as does the Bureau, that the primary goal of these projects is to increase forage production for domestic livestock, not to improve habitat for the grouse.”
Comments may be submitted at eplanning.blm.gov by searching for NEPA number DOI-BLM-NV-E030-2016-0012-EA.
