Date: November 20, 2003

CONTACT: Jamie Thompson at (775) 623-1541

BLM WANTS TO IMPROVE LAHONTAN CUTTHROAT TROUT HABITAT IN WASHBURN CREEK IN THE MONTANA MOUNTAINS

The Bureau of Land Management, Winnemucca Field Office, is proposing a project to protect and improve habitat for Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, a federally threatened species. The project would involve constructing two fenced areas to exclude cattle from accessing the upper reaches of Washburn Creek in the Montana Mountains southwest of McDermitt, Nevada. Other aspects of the project would include piping water away from the stream for cattle that would no longer be able to drink directly from the creek and rerouting an existing road segment to a location above the stream's headwaters to eliminate an existing road crossing. These actions would significantly reduce sedimentation and disturbance to stream banks currently being caused by grazing cattle and vehicles crossing the stream.

An Environmental Assessment (EA) is being drafted to describe the effects of the proposed actions on human and natural resources in the area. BLM would appreciate receiving comments relating to the proposed project from interested members of the public by December 15, 2003. Persons wanting more detailed information on the proposed Washburn Creek habitat improvement project, or to have their names added to the mailing list to receive a copy of the EA when it is completed, should contact Ken Detweiler, BLM Wildlife Biologist, at 775-623-1518.

- BLM -