Number range CHAPTER**Meeting Minutes**

**Sierra Front - Northwestern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council**

## January 28, 2003

###### BLM Carson City Field Office

**5665 Morgan Mill Road**

###### Carson City, Nevada 89701

**(775) 885-6000**

[**I. RAC Attendance and Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
2**](#i.-rac-attendance-and-approval-of-previous-meeting-minutes)

[**II. Summary of Motions 2**](#ii.-summary-of-motions)

[**III. Summary of Action Assignments
3**](#iii.-summary-of-action-assignments)

[**IV. Introductions 3**](#iv.-introductions)

[**V. Election of Officers for RAC 2003
3**](#v.-election-of-officers-for-rac-2003)

[**[VI.]{.smallcaps} Vice Chair Report on National RAC Conference
3**](#vi.-vice-chair-report-on-national-rac-conference)

[**VII. Field Managers' Reports and 2003 Work Plans & RAC Input
Priorities
4**](#vii.-field-managers-reports-and-2003-work-plans-rac-input-priorities)

[**VIII. 2003 RAC Program of Work; Scheduling of Future RAC Meetings
12**](#viii.-2003-rac-program-of-work-scheduling-of-future-rac-meetings)

[**IX. Black Rock-High Rock NCA Plan Update
12**](#ix.-black-rock-high-rock-nca-plan-update)

[**X. Proposed Nat'l Wild Horse & Burro Ctr Project Review & Future
Planning
13**](#x.-proposed-natl-wild-horse-burro-ctr-project-review-future-planning)

[**XI. General Public Comment Period
14**](#xi.-general-public-comment-period)

[**XII. Meeting Adjourned 14**](#xii.-meeting-adjourned)

[**XIII. Appendices (Available in hard copy only)
14**](#xiii.-appendices-available-in-hard-copy-only)

####  

# I. RAC Attendance and Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

**9:05 a.m. Tuesday, January 28, 2003 -- Meeting Called to Order** by
Chairman Jacques Etchegoyhen with the following members present:

### 

+----------------------------------+----------------------+-----------+
| ### Council Member               | **[Resource/Expe     | **Tues    |
|                                  | rtise]{.smallcaps}** | 1-28**    |
+----------------------------------+----------------------+-----------+
| **Jacques Etchegoyhen - CHAIR**  | **Elected Official** | **X**     |
+----------------------------------+----------------------+-----------+
| **Tina Nappe - VICE CHAIR**      | **Environment**      | **X**     |
+----------------------------------+----------------------+-----------+
| **Susie Askew**                  | **Wild Horses &      | **X**     |
|                                  | Burros**             |           |
+----------------------------------+----------------------+-----------+
| **Karen Boeger**                 | **Recreation**       | **X**     |
+----------------------------------+----------------------+-----------+
| **Gerry Emm**                    | **Native Americans** | **X**     |
+----------------------------------+----------------------+-----------+
| **John Falen**                   | **Nevada Cattlemen** | **X**     |
+----------------------------------+----------------------+-----------+
| #### John Gebhardt               | **State Agency**     | **X**     |
+----------------------------------+----------------------+-----------+
| **Jerry Hepworth**               | **Energy/Minerals**  | **X**     |
+----------------------------------+----------------------+-----------+
| **Jim Eidel**                    | **Wildlife**         | **X**     |
+----------------------------------+----------------------+-----------+
| **Robert 'Bob' Kautz**           | **Archaeology**      | **X**     |
+----------------------------------+----------------------+-----------+
| **John Mudge**                   | **Mining**           | **X**     |
+----------------------------------+----------------------+-----------+
| #### Ernest Paine                | **Livestock**        | **X**     |
+----------------------------------+----------------------+-----------+
| **William 'Bill' Roullier**      | **                   | **X**     |
|                                  | Transportation/ROW** |           |
+----------------------------------+----------------------+-----------+
| **Sherm Swanson**                | **Academic**         | **X**     |
+----------------------------------+----------------------+-----------+
| **Larie Trippet**                | **Public-at-Large**  | **X**     |
+----------------------------------+----------------------+-----------+

MOVED -- by Tina Nappe to approve the minutes of the July 25 and 26
meeting.

SECONDED -- by Larie Trippet

Approved by acclamation.

# II. Summary of Motions

> MOVED - by Tina Nappe, that Jacques Etchegoyhen be nominated to
> continue as Chair of the Sierra Front - Northwestern Great Basin
> Resource Advisory Council for 2003.

SECONDED - by John Falen

DISCUSSION - No other nominations having been received, Jacques
Etchegoyhen was elected as Chair for 2003 by acclamation.

> MOVED - by Sherm Swanson, that Tina Nappe be nominated to continue as
> Vice Chair for 2003

SECONDED - by Larie Trippet

DISCUSSION - No other nominations having been received, Tina Nappe was
elected as Vice Chair for 2003 by acclamation.

> MOVED -- by John Falen that the RAC use the form distributed by Tina
> Nappe to report back what members feel about topics presented in the
> Field Managers' reports.

SECONDED -- by Karen Boeger

DISCUSSION - Approved by acclamation.

> MOVED -- by Sherm Swanson that the RAC empower those who know more
> about wild horses to write a letter to Congress reinforcing that BLM's
> national strategy for gathering wild horses and burros continue to be
> supported.

SECONDED - by John Falen

DISCUSSION - It was agreed in discussion that Tina Nappe and Sherm
Swanson

write the letter with assistance from Susie Askew.

Approved by acclamation.

> MOVED -- by Larie Trippet, that the Chair and the Vice Chair write a
> letter of thanks from the RAC to the RAC NCA Subgroup for their work
> on the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails NCA draft
> EIS/RMP.
>
> SECONDED -- by John Gebhardt

DISCUSSION - Approved by acclamation.

#### 

# III. Summary of Action Assignments

1\. A motion was passed requesting Sherm Swanson, Tina Nappe and Susie
Askew to write a letter to Congress reinforcing that BLM's national
strategy for gathering wild horses and burros continue to be supported.

2\. Larie Trippet was asked by the Chair to contact Friends of Sand
Mountain and become involved in their meetings.

3\. The NCA staff was asked to include in the NCA RMP a list of closed
roads stating why they have been closed.

# IV. Introductions

Members of the RAC and BLM employees introduced themselves.

# V. Election of Officers for RAC 2003

> MOVED - by Tina Nappe, that Jacques Etchegoyhen be nominated to
> continue as Chair of the Sierra Front - Northwestern Great Basin
> Resource Advisory Council for 2003.

SECONDED - by John Falen

DISCUSSION -

> No other nominations having been received, Jacques Etchegoyhen was
> elected as Chair for 2003 by acclamation.
>
> MOVED - by Sherm Swanson, that Tina Nappe be nominated to continue as
> Vice Chair for 2003

SECONDED - by Larie Trippet

DISCUSSION -

> No other nominations having been received, Tina Nappe was elected as
> Vice Chair for 2003 by acclamation.

# [VI.]{.smallcaps} Vice Chair Report on National RAC Conference

Vice Chair Tina Nappe reported on the National Resource Advisory Council
Meeting she attended in Phoenix November 19 and 20. Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) Director Kathleen Clarke attended the meeting along
with representatives of RACs from around the country. Tina told the
group that she felt one of the most important comments made at the
meeting was that RAC members care to become involved in things like land
use and land policy and that they are willing to work with each other
even though they may have differences. She also discovered that while
the Nevada RACs have always had quorums at their meetings other RACs
apparently do not. Another interesting comment was that the Desert
District Advisory Council covering the southern California desert areas
often has 600 plus people attending their meetings. In answer to a
question from Susie Askew, Tina said that the group was discussing OHV
issues at those meetings.

Tina told the representatives of the other RACs that the Sierra Front --
Northwestern Great Basin RAC selects issues that are important to the
members. Two of the things that BLM is looking at for the future are an
annual meeting of RAC members and a national RAC coordinator.

Tina thanked Mark Struble, Carson City Field Office Public Affairs
Specialist, for arranging her attendance.

There will be a follow up meeting of nation-wide RAC representatives in
Washington DC in April 2003. Chair Etchegoyhen asked Tina to please
attend.

# VII. Field Managers' Reports and 2003 Work Plans & RAC Input Priorities

Tina Nappe proposed that as the field managers go through their reports,
each member list the topics, RAC action that should be taken, and any
comments they might have on a pre-printed form that she distributed. At
the end of each report, members could select the issues in which they
wanted to get involved.

> MOVED -- by John Falen that the RAC use the form distributed by Tina
> Nappe to report back what members feel about topics presented in the
> Field Managers' reports.

SECONDED -- by Karen Boeger

DISCUSSION -

Approved by acclamation.

Terry Reed suggested that another column be added stating whether the
member wanted to get personally involved in the issue.

Members discussed the rest of the morning and early afternoon meeting
schedule and the most efficient way to choose topics for the 2003 RAC
program of work. John Singlaub commented that he wasn't sure that the
RAC members felt completely competent in recommending what was happening
on one piece of land, one allotment (such as the Knott Creek Allotment).
Sherm Swanson commented that he learned a lot about what a RAC can do
(through providing counsel on the Knott Creek allotment) and that he
thought that perhaps that (concentrating on one allotment) was too close
to the ground for the RAC to deal with. Terry Reed commented that he
thinks the members know that they can deal with the socio-economic
issues. Karen Boeger commented that some issues, such as the allotment,
need to be based on the newest and best science.

At the pleasure of the RAC, Tina asked that the presentations start with
the Carson City field manager's report "because we have a tendency to
get sidetracked on the Black Rock Desert."

## A. Carson City Field Manager John Singlaub's Report

1.  Written Summary of the Report is available as Appendix 1.

2.  Additional items covered orally.

> a\. The first Walker River meeting with the mediator took place in
> January. The initial meetings are focusing on short-term solutions.
> The coming irrigation season is the first thing on the agenda. Members
> agreed at the outset that the Federal members of the committee should
> be the steering committee for the Environmental Impact Statement
> (EIS). The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) has received \$16.35 million of
> the \$200 million set aside in the Farm Bill for providing water for
> at-risk desert terminal lakes. BOR is examining ways that the money
> can be spent which makes them the driving force for the EIS. The
> steering committee has agreed that the BOR NEPA experts will review
> the draft EIS. The Bureau of Indian affairs is saying that the
> document does not meet their NEPA standards, but BLM is saying we
> prepared it and it meets ours. Significant changes have been made to
> the EIS since the July RAC meeting. BOR will be the agency that will
> release the EIS.
>
> Sherm Swanson asked if the restrictions on the expenditure of the
> money shift the focus. John answered that they do not. Not being able
> to use the money for securing or disposing of water rights is fine,
> because that was the first issue.
>
> Jim Eidel commented that if the RAC has any ideas for getting water to
> the lake, this is critical. John answered that unless we get a slug of
> water from the snow this winter we will lose the fishery in Walker
> Lake this year.
>
> Ernest Paine asked how BLM can release the draft and keep the
> confidentiality of the negotiations. As soon as the draft is released
> to the public it becomes a matter for the press. John told him that
> the EIS is not a part of the basis of the negotiations.
>
> Ernest answered that the information in the EIS is available to the
> team now. Gerry Emm commented that it is only available to the Federal
> team. Everybody is afraid of the confidentially being lost. One of the
> counties does not want the information in the EIS released because
> they think the science information is flawed. Under the old EIS, (the
> administrative draft) there will be water rights proposed to be
> purchased. This is an issue for the upstream water uses. There is a
> perception that there are a lot of flaws.
>
> Karen Boeger asked how often the team is meeting. John answered two
> days a month for the following few months. She then asked if the RAC
> can release to the mediation team the letter that the members voted to
> send to Washington at the last RAC meeting. John answered that he
> thought it would be much better to have a public EIS with public
> science information and modeling than the current lack of information.
> He said that he thinks it is in everyone's interest to make it public,
> but that is not everyone's opinion. There will probably be a 75-90 day
> review period with the Record of Decision (ROD) signed no more than 30
> days after that. That is four to six months and the irrigation
> district has said that they will sue BLM after the decision is
> released. BLM feels that given the public's viewpoint and the ability
> to take BLM to court, the EIS will not be successful anyway. On the
> confidentiality issue, the media is being referred to the mediator for
> any questions. There has been no request to use the scientific
> information in the EIS at the mediation table. "You can probably tell
> I'm very frustrated by now," John concluded.
>
> Gerry Emm commented that the last meeting was the first with the
> mediator. There was still structuring going on. The short- term issues
> were brought up at the last mediation, but there was really no time to
> consider specific proposals.
>
> Tina Nappe commented that as she recalled the purpose was to at least
> develop the foundation and provide everybody with the same
> information. Now she is being told that everyone is coming to the
> table with different information.
>
> John Falen asked if there is enough water from the runoff that BLM is
> proposing using to make a difference in the lake this year. John
> answered that there is significant water. Tamarisk removal could be
> going on right now. John Falen then asked how many acres of farmland
> would be dried up to save the lake. John answered that BLM's idea is
> to pay farmers this year to fallow their fields. Right now the lake
> needs as much water as quickly as it can get it. John Falen then
> commented that he keeps going back to the man who lived here for a
> long, long time, (a member of the public present at the July RAC
> meeting) who said over time Walker Lake will dry up no matter what you
> do. BLM will spend millions of dollars and Walker Lake will still dry
> up. "Is there some point in time that a guy becomes realistic, not
> that you will, and says what are we doing?" John Singlaub answered
> that every study that he has seen says that Walker Lake would be
> higher now than it was in the nineteenth century if there was not the
> draw down from the top. That (the idea that it will die anyway) is
> just the myth that is being put out there to allow the lake to die.
>
> Gerry Emm commented that it becomes a judgment whether there is more
> value or the same value in maintaining a natural resource as farming
> marginal land. There may need to be a reallocation of resources that
> can keep the core agriculture. These decisions must eventually be
> made. But they are individual decisions. What we want to do is find
> someway to balance between the economic issues and the other issues.
>
> Larie Trippet commented that since the Field Manager's report is five
> pages long, the members need to look at what they are doing and what
> time they are spending talking about issues and make it an agenda item
> or not ask so many questions or something to move the discussion
> along.
>
> Chairman Etchegoyhen told the group that it sounded to him like what
> the RAC was talking about was out of their hands for at least six
> months.
>
> Karen Boeger commented that if there was anything that the RAC could
> do to speed up the process she would love to do it, but it didn't seem
> as if they could.
>
> b\. BLM has acquired Casey Ranch, the first property acquired under
> SNPLMA Round I, and are within days of acquiring Mustang Ranch.
>
> Tina Nappe thanked John and his staff for the creativity in thinking
> ahead on both of these issues and told the group that there is much
> discussion in Nevada about the state having too many public lands.
> Nevadans interested in preserving open-space lands have looked to
> SNPLMA to help. She also asked that the Winters be recognized for
> pulling together a lot of the original lands that make up Casey Ranch.

c.  Under the Continuing Resolution BLM has no funds to carry the

> geothermal program forward.

d.  Oil Dri is on hold pending the outcome of legal actions.

e.  BLM hopes to release a public draft EIS on the Sierra Pacific Tracy
    to Silver Lake Project proposal in May.

f.  The scheduled public auction of 146 acres of Federal public land in
    northern Douglas County was postponed due to issues primarily
    related to Douglas County fiscal concerns.

g.  The wild horse gathers status report shows what BLM Carson City is
    hoping to remove this year. BLM is limited by the amount of money
    available for removal.

> Susie Askew asked how there can be a herd of 7-10. John answered that
> the question is whether to zero it out or not.
>
> Jim Eidel asked if any of this impacts sage grouse. John answered that
> there is an ongoing discussion in the Pine Nuts area.
>
> Sherm commented that he was very happy to hear State Director Bob
> Abbey say at the combined RAC meeting that he was going to shuffle
> money to get more horses gathered and asked if any gathers have been
> funded lately in that way. John answered that BLM has been able to get
> horses ahead, but there has not been an additional gather scheduled as
> a result.
>
> Maxine Shane, Public Affairs Specialist, Nevada State Office,
> commented that BLM's long term holding facilities are full, and BLM
> has to feed the horses it gathers. We can gather much more effectively
> than we can adopt. We will have two more long-term holding facilities
> on line in July.
>
> Terry Reed commented that there was some reshuffling last year and has
> been this year to cover dire needs, but that he didn't have the
> numbers. Exactly how much and what happened I don't know.
>
> Sherm Swanson commented that it had been found that removing only the
> five-year-olds and younger would work because they are more readily
> adoptable, but in the meantime the herds grew, so it was found that
> this did not work (on a long-term basis) and the strategy was
> abandoned.
>
> John told the group that BLM is ahead in the overall national strategy
> that the Bureau has been using in Nevada, but not much, but he hopes
> that BLM continues with the strategy.
>
> Members discussed writing a letter to reinforce Congressional support
> for further spending to support current national BLM wild horse and
> burro strategy.
>
> Terry Reed told the members that keeping in mind that the RAC is not
> allowed to counsel on budget matters, a letter encouraging that the
> national strategy be continued written to both field managers might be
> appropriate.
>
> MOVED -- by Sherm Swanson that the RAC empower those who know more
> about wild horses to write a letter to Congress reinforcing that BLM's
> national strategy for gathering wild horses and burros continue to be
> supported.

SECONDED - by John Falen

DISCUSSION -- It was agreed in discussion that Tina Nappe and Sherm
Swanson

write the letter with assistance from Susie Askew.

Approved by acclamation.

> Maxine Shane commented that the contracts for the additional holding
> facilities have not been awarded.
>
> John Falen asked that the letter stress that the resources are very
> important and that a lot of the damage out there is from the wild
> horses.
>
> Susie Askew asked if anything can be set up so that people can adopt
> animals before they get to the holding centers. John Singlaub answered
> that is one of the things BLM is trying to work toward with the wild
> horse and burro center.
>
> h\. The Pine Nut Plan amendment is moving forward. BLM hopes to have a
> draft plan out by May. John told the members it would be useful for
> the RAC to look at the alternatives in the preliminary draft at their
> April meeting. He said that he would have maps of lands available for
> disposal at the April meeting.
>
> i\. Sierra Front Recreation Coalition hopes to have a final recreation
> trails map printed in July.
>
> Karen Boeger asked if the Sierra Front includes a process of
> designation. John answered that it does not. BLM is trying to include
> just those things that have existing designations.
>
> j\. BLM hopes to have the Sand Mountain Recreation Area fee demo
> project implemented in the next month or two.

Elayn Briggs, Associate Field Manager, Carson City Field Office went
over the Carson City District's fiscal year 2003 workload priorities
list, available as Appendix 2. She suggested that the RAC might want to
be involved in the issues in the recreation category and the
collaborative management and planning category. She told the group that
BLM had decided to not form a RAC TRT team. She suggested that a TRT
could still be initiated by the RAC to include at least one member of
the RAC. John Singlaub pointed out that user groups as well as wildlife
groups need to be involved in issues such as the analysis of the OHV
impacts to the Kearney Buckwheat/Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly.

Karen Boeger reiterated her opposition to user fees and asked what
portion of the fee demo money goes to implement the program. Elayn
answered that there are always costs involved in setting up a fee demo
program. Up to 25 percent, especially initially, is reasonable.

Bob Kautz commented that how BLM justifies how the monies are spent is
very important for people to understand.

Tina asked if BLM is designing a road plan around Sand Mountain so that
access is restricted. Elayn told her that BLM has set aside a buffer
area where people cannot camp or play.

Ernest Paine asked if the law enforcement is BLM or county. Elayn told
him that it is both. Terry Reed added that one of the challenges is that
state peace officers cannot enforce some of the federal statutes unless
there are similar state statutes. Karen Boeger asked if there couldn't
easily be MOUs between state and BLM law enforcement. Terry answered
that an MOU does not overcome the legal authority to enforce federal
laws and regulations.

Karen told the group that it is her contention that intensive OHV areas
should not contain intensive inappropriate OHV activities that over time
form concentric circles out from the original area. Elayn told her that
BLM has included closure of some of the spillage areas in the Federal
Register notice.

John Singlaub told the RAC that BLM would like their input on initiation
and completion of the Activity Plan for Special Recreation Permits.
Another recreation issue is the business plan which is being written for
Silver Saddle Ranch management. John told the group in answer to a
question that the development of an MOU and Recreation Fees including
business and communications plan with Churchill County Museum concerning
Hidden Cave Tours refers to docents giving tours.

Elayn suggested that the RAC might want to be involved in the
development of a land use plan for Mustang Ranch and planning and
support for establishment of Carson City's biomass utilization program.
John Singlaub added that BLM is meeting with Art DuFault, Aide to the
BLM Director, on January 29 to discuss, among other things, biomass
utilization.

Bob Kautz asked what the plans are for Mustang Ranch. John Singlaub
answered that BLM does not have any plans but wants to do a site plan
that will say the lands will be used for river restoration and a flood
plan project.

Elayn Briggs invited everyone to join the Carson City Field Office in
its National Public Lands Day project.

John Mudge commented that he didn't see a general category of abandoned
mine lands from a historic perspective on the workload priorities list.
Elayn Briggs answered that Abandoned Mine Land is always a big
consideration. BLM works on it every year. John Singlaub added that in
terms of mine closures as a whole, gold prices are going up and it is a
lot easier to open a mine than to close one. There has been a proposal
for mine closure and mega-landfill at Kennecott/Rawhide Mine and there
is some talk of hauling trash from the San Francisco Bay area.

Tina Nappe asked what is being planned for sage grouse. Elayn Briggs
pointed out the first item under wildlife, conservation planning in
support of the Governors Sage Grouse plan. She added that BLM is on a
lot of sage grouse committees. Terry Reed commented that the sage grouse
issue will be discussed at the upcoming State Leadership Team meeting to
be held February 4 and 5 in Elko.

Elayn told the group that as soon as the Federal Register notice is
published BLM will begin collecting fees at Sand Mountain. John Singlaub
added that BLM would certainly like RAC counsel on use of those fees.

Larie Trippet asked if there is additional value in having a Sand
Mountain TRT group.

Elayn answered that BLM is going to include the public through use of
questionnaires. Chairman Etchegoyhen told Larie that there would be
value in his becoming involved in this. Tina Nappe asked if Carson City
could send the RAC members minutes from meetings with the public or
other feedback on what is happening with Sand Mountain. Larie said that
he would contact Friends of Sand Mountain and get involved in their
meetings.

Tina Nappe asked how BLM sees the biomass conversion materials being
used. John Singlaub answered that there are a number of different
proposals for mechanical use. There is already a market in California
for woodchips. The important thing is that only materials that are
already available are being used. BLM should be able to predict the
amount of material that is coming out of the Pine Nuts area based on the
Plan. The City of Carson City hopes to prolong the life of their
landfill by not putting as much vegetative material in it. John Falen
commented that the requirements for harvesting the biomass in Ely are
very difficult to deal with and create a tremendous amount of expense.
It seems that there should be some way to make this workable. Gary
Shiff, US Forest Service Carson District Ranger, told the group that the
fuels projects create a tremendous amount of material. We have to have
some way to do something with these materials other than burning them.
Chris Freeman, Nevada Tahoe Conservation District, commented that the
District just finished looking at areas that are scheduled for
proscribed burns and there is plenty of material available without
harvesting for at least the next 50 years.

## B. Winnemucca Field Manager Terry Reed's Report

1.  Written Summary of the Report is available as Appendix 3.

2.  Additional items covered orally.

> a\. Terry thanked everyone who worked on the Black Rock Desert-High
> Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area RMP. He told
> the group he was confident that the time Federal agencies and others
> spent on the effort will result in few and constructive comments once
> the draft is out.

b.  Almost 400 head of wild horses had been gathered in the Jackson

> Mountains Herd Management Area (HMA) as of January 27. The gather suit
> was filed and then withdrawn. The next gather is in the North
> Stillwater HMA. Information on horse gathers was put back into the FM
> report due to RAC counsel.

c\. Precipitation levels are still less than normal.

> d\. The Central Nevada Interagency Dispatch Center (CNIDC) is working
> very, very well. The Tonopah area will be added very soon.

e.  There have been several mineral actions. The final document in

> the agreement between Coeur Rochester, BLM, the State of Nevada, and
> the State of Nebraska releases \$9 million to be put into a trust
> account toward the replacement financial assurance agreement. Coeur is
> also working on a 172-acre expansion which involves expansion of the
> existing Rochester and Packard open pits, existing rock disposal
> sites, an existing heap leach pad, and development of new haul roads
> and associated in-fill facilities within the project area.
>
> f\. A GIS map of all pending wind energy MET towers and project areas
> overlaid with sage grouse habitat and leks has been put together.
> Terry told the group that it will be very challenging to permit wind
> energy in that setting.

f.  BLM would welcome the involvement of the RAC in any allotment
    evaluation listed in the report.

g.  The revised policy for issuing Special Recreation Permits involves
    structuring cost recovery in a little different way. BLM's challenge
    is to streamline the policy to keep the costs down. BLM has proposed
    that permittees arrange to have the county sheriff on duty during
    their event and call on BLM only if necessary.

> Karen Boeger said she thought bonding was a requirement for this type
> of permit. Terry answered that it is not. Karen asked if post event
> monitoring is a one time shot or if BLM goes back and looks at things.
> Terry answered that it depends on the event.
>
> h\. The state component of acquiring water rights on the Knott Creek
> acquisition proposal fell apart. It has been added to the SNPLMA list
> and the proposal will be moving forward. Work continues on the DeLong
> sale. A package will be put together for the State Director. The Ely
> Field Office has withdrawn from the proposed Glendale/Spring Valley
> exchange, the tail of land between Rye Patch and Rabbit Hole, and
> closed the case file.
>
> John Falen asked about the future of the BLM land that has been pulled
> from the Orovada sale and will become completely land locked once the
> sale is completed. Terry told him that BLM will probably reserve an
> easement across it, but will examine the cultural sites.

i\. An associate field manager has been selected and will be reporting
March 9.

j\. The bighorn sheep capture and release authorized through the
Montana-Double H Habitat management Plan/EA highlights how BLM is able
to work with wildlife entities under the jurisdiction of the State.

k\. The Winnemucca Field Office received funding to do some research and
inventories of sage grouse in conjunction with the State.

Tina Nappe commented that both sage grouse and LCT are

places for thinking about wildlife easements.

RAC members reviewed the Winnemucca Field Office Project and Planning
Schedule, available as Appendix 4.

Mineral projects proposed or in progress include the Glamis-Marigold
Millennium Expansion project and the Coeur Rochester plan of operations
amendment and modification. A hosted worker is working on both. Many of
the mine projects involve modification of their plans. Most of the mine
closures are not contentious issues.

John Mudge commented that there has been a statewide task force to
discuss the mine bonding issue. A report will be issued soon. Tina Nappe
told the group that she is concerned that nothing will be done with
bonding and we will eventually be left with nothing. John replied that
some of the changes put forward by the task force would require changes
in legislation. Terry Reed commented that in the last three or so years
the Winnemucca Field Office has been reevaluating all of their mines in
the context of their bonding.

There has been a small amount of activity in geothermal constrained by
the lack of a BLM budget.

Land exchanges and energy company rights-of-way are ongoing.

The educational sign project would put interpretive signs along the I-80
corridor pointing out such things as mines, geographic or vegetative
features, power lines, etc. Each sign would have a sponsor that would
pay for the sign.

Karen Boeger asked if there is access to the Blue Lake Communication
Site, if there will be a road. Terry told her that all of that would be
analyzed in the EA process.

The Crowley Jordan Road easement involves a piece of the road that BLM
has been maintaining.

The Winnemucca Field Office issues 30 to 35 special recreation permits
each year. Terry was not sure if it has been decided whether the Burning
Man NEPA document needs to be updated.

The Field Office is looking to complete the Bloody Shins Trail System,
which is an existing mountain bike trail, and tie it into the Water
Canyon trail system.

The Field Office is working toward a programmatic EA on wilderness
grazing operations.

A variety of fuels projects and several range improvement projects are
being planned.

There is a description of the allotment evaluation process on page 19 of
the Project and Planning Schedule followed by a list of allotment
evaluations under consideration for Fiscal Year 2003, grazing permit
renewals/issuances EAs and allotment EAs. Terry Reed told the group in
answer to a question that the Paiute Meadows/Soldier Meadows allotment
EA involves consultation on LCT and desert dace. There is a high
likelihood that it will be litigated.

Terry told RAC members that they are welcome to get involved in
allotment evaluations in any way they wish. BLM may wish for help in
some aspect on a broader level.

Projects that have been completed since September/October 2001 are
listed at the end of the schedule.

#### 

# VIII. 2003 RAC Program of Work; Scheduling of Future RAC Meetings

April 24 meeting date changed to April 29 and 30 - Fallon

The following will be discussed

*Sand Mountain* -- fee determinations, uses, presentation by "Friends"
group, T &

E species

> *Committee on Economic Development* -- recreation use in Nevada --
> changing uses/landscapes, [tourism]{.underline} \$ use for management,
> Federal dumping -- include Nevada State Parks planning? (Mark Struble
> will help put together a panel)

\**Black Rock RMP*- Recommendation from subgroup & timing

July meeting changed to evening July 15, all day July 16 & 17 -
Winnemucca & field trip

The following will be discussed

\**Sage Grouse issue* -- report to RAC by RAC reps/BLM employees

> *Fire cycle* -- what can RAC concentrate on to assist BLM? Green
> strips? [Proactive]{.underline} actions and -- lack of fire in other
> habitats

*National Riparian Team* presentation & field exam?

*Dr. Kay* -- aspen clone areas, we're losing aspens

*Mustang Ranch* -- FY 2003 scoping and alternative development

Other topics not assigned to specific meetings include

\**Walker River EIS* -- should it be released?

> \**Pine Nut Plan* -- alternatives should be available in April, public
> draft available in July

*Update on wild horse gathers*

*WFO RMP scoping* fall 2003

> *Biomass* -- what do we do with biomass? USFS S & PF Funds available.
> Specific projects. Projects needed to reduce our fuel loading

\**Statewide OHV plan* -- examine site-specific problem areas?

*Land fills/Mine reclamation* - projects status

##### Updates on geothermal or wind projects

\*denotes carryover issues

# IX. Black Rock-High Rock NCA Plan Update

The draft EIS/RMP had not been released as of the date of the meeting.

Dave Cooper, NCA Manager showed the group a PowerPoint overview of the
Black Rock-High Rock NCA plan and distributed to the RAC members the NCA
Map and Visitor Guide brochure, Major Issues and How the Draft RMP Range
of Alternatives Addresses Them, and the Black Rock-High Rock Draft
RMP/EIS Executive Summary available as Appendices 5, 6 and 7.

In his comments, Dave pointed out that one third of the NCA area is
managed by the Surprise Field Office in Cedarville, California and the
rest by the Winnemucca Field Office.

It was suggested that the RMP include a list of closed roads stating why
they have been closed.

> MOVED -- by Larie Trippet, that the Chair and the Vice Chair write a
> letter of thanks from the RAC to the RAC NCA Subgroup for their work
> on the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails NCA draft
> EIS/RMP.
>
> SECONDED -- by John Gebhardt

DISCUSSION -

Approved by acclamation.

# X. Proposed Nat'l Wild Horse & Burro Ctr Project Review & Future Planning

Dan Jacquet, Assistant Field Manager Renewable Resources Carson City,
told the RAC that BLM is trying to find an avenue to move wild horses
and burros from the public to the private sector. BLM developed a wild
horse and burro center that is an adoption center and a visitor center.

Meg Getty representative of Wild Horse Center Inc. an organization
interested in establishing a wild horse and burro center in northern
Nevada showed the group a PowerPoint presentation on the proposed
center. Complete text of the presentation is available as Appendix 8.

Meg told the group that the center is being proposed as a national
public focal point for wild horses and burros and the programs that
manage them and it is hoped will become a showcase for centers of this
type. Northern Nevada was chosen as the site for the center because
Nevada is home to 54 percent of all wild horses and burros, home to 53
percent of Herd Management Areas (HMA) and acreage for HMAs. The private
sector movement to protect wild horses started in Northern Nevada.
Moundhouse was chosen as the specific site because it has year round
access, is in close proximity to horses, HMAs, population centers, and
tourism facilities.

The Wild Horse Center organization has initiated a land exchange with
the only adjacent private landowner.

While the center will be adoption headquarters for local and national
adoptions, virtual adoption is being considered especially for school
children who would like to keep a horse in sanctuary and for the visitor
who would like to adopt a horse or burro but has no place to keep it.
The virtual program is in conceptual form at this time.

Conceptual drawings of the preliminary site plan, the visitor center and
the interpretive exhibits have been completed. The visitor center area
is being identified in the Pine Nut Plan, funding partnerships have been
established and in kind services had been completed. The next steps are
to complete as much preliminary planning as possible using partnerships,
seek funding for completion of design work, and form partnerships with
the private sector to share in construction costs that will total
approximately \$10 million.

Ernest Paine asked the approximate cost for the gather on the Jackson
Mountains in the context of the \$10 million for the center. Terry Reed
told him that the cost is \$200 to \$1,000.

# XI. General Public Comment Period

Matt Spaulding, representing the Bureau of Indian Affairs commented that
it should be kept in mind that Indian land on the Pine Nuts is privately
owned Indian trust land, not Tribal land. John Singlaub added that BLM
was instrumental in forming a landowners association at its last meeting
with the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California.

# XII. Meeting Adjourned

4:25 PM

# XIII. Appendices (Available in hard copy only)