Date: 03/31/2009 strongBLUERIBBON COALITION ACTION ALERT!br /br /Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber, br /br /BLM Seeks Comments on Silver State OHV Trail/strongbr /br /The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Ely District Office is proposing to conduct a study of existing motorized vehicle routes for the Silver State Off-Highway Vehicle Trail within White Pine County. The study will be conducted in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the White Pine County Conservation, Recreation and Development Act of 2006.br /br /The White Pine Act requires that the BLM take a hard look at the potential impacts to natural and cultural resources before recommending additions to the Silver State Trail.nbsp; The Silver State Trail was first designated by Congress through the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation and Development Act of 2004.nbsp; Any preferred route for the White Pine Trail must utilize existing roads and trails, extend from the Lincoln County Trail and run in a north-south direction. br /br /In addition to these requirements, the BLM has identified several questions and areas of concern related to the identification of alternative routes for analysis.nbsp; The BLM requests your input on these questions and any other concerns you have in order to more fully understand the need for, and the potential effects of, designating a White Pine County Silver State Trail. What types of recreational opportunities should the BLM provide through designation of a White Pine County Silver State Trail?nbsp; Should the trail connect to local communities in White Pine County?nbsp; Will the current use of existing roads and trails change following designation of a Silver State Trail in White Pine County? Should the trail remain open to regular vehicle traffic?nbsp; What are the issues of the trail crossing highways? Utilizing county roads?nbsp; Are there specific valleys or ranges that should include the trail?nbsp; Are there specific valleys or ranges that the trail should avoid?nbsp; What is the expected level of use for the trail?The BLM will consider all public input in the development of a range of alternative routes and the issues and concerns regarding those alternatives in the preliminary Environmental Assessment (EA).nbsp; br /br /The public scoping period for the preliminary EA began on March 16, 2009 and will continue through April 17, 2009.nbsp; Once the preliminary EA is completed, there will be additional opportunities to participate and comment before a preferred alternative is selected.strongCOMMENT DEADLINE IS APRIL 17, 2009/strongstrongSend written comments to: /strongbr /nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; BLM - Ely District Officebr /nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; 702 N. Industrial Waybr /nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; HC33 Box 33500br /nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Ely, Nevada 89301-9408br /nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Attn: Kalem Lenardbr /br /strongEmail comments to:/strongbr /nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; silverstatetrail@blm.govnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; br /br /Please put quot;strongSilver State Trail/strongquot; in the subject line. br /br /For more information, contact the Ely District Office at (775) 289-1800.nbsp; All documents and maps are available on the BLM Ely District website: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/ely_field_office/blm_programs/recreation/silver_state_trail.html br /br /strongJUST REMEMBER, PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IS CRUCIAL TO KEEP RECREATION AREAS OPEN, PLEASE GET INVOLVED!br /br /Thanks in advance for your support,/strongbr /Ric Fosterbr /Public Lands Department Managerbr /BlueRibbon Coalitionbr /208-237-1008 ext 107img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~r/BlueRibbonCoalition/~4/isGpx_XS98w" height="1" width="1"/
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