Date: November 3, 2004

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

PUBLIC MAY GET BETTER ACCESS TO TROPHY TROUT FISHERY

In August 2000, Richard Drake, who ranches southwest of Denio, submitted a nomination package to the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act (SNPLMA) office in Las Vegas. Mr. Drake's package proposed that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) use some of the moneys collected from the sales of public lands in Clark County to acquire 624 acres of his private property in northern Humboldt County. This proposal was approved by the Secretary of the Interior as part of SNPLMA Round 2 in 2000. The property includes parcels that could allow a public access route to Knott Creek Reservoir from the south to be reopened for the first time in years. Other parcels would transfer nearly all of Knott Creek above the reservoir to public ownership.

Knott Creek and Knott Creek Reservoir constitute a significant trophy trout fishery. "The Nevada Department of Wildlife has managed the reservoir as a trophy fishery for years," said BLM Wildlife Biologist Ken Detweiler, "and it's known to produce numbers of quality Rainbows." NDOW has restricted the use of bait and placed minimum size limits on fish that can be kept. This in conjunction with a 1988 agreement with Mr. Drake that the reservoir not be allowed to fall below a water volume of 500 acre-feet has worked to maintain and improve the quality of the fishery. This lowest allowable volume, known as the minimum pool requirement, would be maintained under the provisions of Mr. Drake's proposal and an additional 500 acre-feet of storage would be acquired by BLM.

"If all goes well, we expect the acquisition to be completed by the next fishing season," said Bob Edwards, Supervisory Realty Specialist. "We feel this is an important acquisition that will positively benefit the public and the resources in the area. By doubling the volume of water in the reservoir, a great fishery will be made even better."

BLM has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) describing the proposal and its potential environmental effects. This EA is available for public review on-line at the BLM Winnemucca Office website at http://www.nv.blm.gov/Winnemucca/ (included is a photograph of the reservoir and a map). Those who wish to comment must do so in writing by Wednesday, November 17th. Comments or questions should be directed to Mr. Detweiler at the Winnemucca BLM Office at 5100 East Winnemucca Boulevard, Winnemucca NV 89445-2921, or by phone at 775-623-1500. More information about SNPLMA is available on-line at http://www.nv.blm.gov/snplma/lawdefault.asp and about the Knott Creek acquisition at http://www.nv.blm.gov/snplma/pdf/rd2landsum.pdf

- BLM -