Date: August 9, 2004

CONTACT: Jamie Thompson, Public Affairs Officer, (775) 623-1500

BLM WINNEMUCCA ISSUES PERMITS TO GUIDES AND OUTFITTERS

The Winnemucca BLM will issue as many as 12 Special Recreation Permits to commercial outfitters and guides in 2004 and up to 20 in future years. A programmatic environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared to address potential impacts from current and future commercial outfitter and guide uses. The programmatic EA analyzes the potential environmental impacts that could be anticipated to occur as a result of outfitter and guide activities across the 8.5 million acres of public lands in the Winnemucca District and the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area managed by the Winnemucca and Surprise (Cedarville, California) field offices. Analyzing these region-wide impacts in a single environmental document improves the efficiency of permit issuance by eliminating the need to analyze many of the same environmental effects over and over again in connection with each individual permit application, and also allows for a better analysis of the potential cumulative impacts of issuing multiple permits. However, specific proposals for use of desired locations may require further analysis, such as when new surface disturbance is expected or extended stays for outfitter camps are requested.

"The programmatic EA for outfitters and guides does not eliminate the need to do NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) work for new permit requests," explains Dave Lefevre, Winnemucca BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner, "but it definitely makes the paperwork portion of the permit process more efficient, which will enable BLM to spend more time on the ground monitoring permit stipulations to assure that public resources are properly protected. Also, a revised permitting process will provide better and more consistent customer service to those applying for outfitter and guide permits."

The revised permitting process being implemented requires more information about permitted uses than was requested in the past. This will also help BLM monitor commercial users to ensure compliance with protective regulations and permit stipulations.

The EA is available for review online at the Winnemucca Field Office website or in hard copy either in person or by mail at the Winnemucca Field Office, 5100 East Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca NV 89445-2921.

For further information about outfitter and guide permits and services in the Winnemucca Field Office and Black Rock NCA, please contact Dave Lefevre or Barb Keleher at (775) 623-1500.

- BLM -