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BLM Bracing for Drought Impacts in Nevada

Posted: 2:23 PM Jul 15, 2012
Reporter: AP

ELKO, Nev. (AP) - Federal land managers on the northern Nevada range say they're in better position than usual to deal with the blazing summer drought conditions thanks to some proactive steps they took back in the dead of winter.

Officials for the Bureau of Land Management say it's possible drought conditions could force removal of livestock or temporary closure of grazing allotments in some areas.

But BLM District Manager Doug Furtado in Battle Mountain says he sent out a letter to permit holders in January asking for their help in identifying steps they could take up front to mitigate drought impacts.

Furtado expects conditions to worsen, but he's hopeful voluntary responses will make it unnecessary to order allotment closures. He told the Elko Daily Free Press he's "committed to working cooperatively" with everyone.