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Mount Lewis

Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area Thirteen miles of horseback riding and hiking trails have been added to the Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area,

including a trailhead for parking and quick access to the trails. Additionally, a connector path now joins the trailhead to

the campground, and an overlook trail was also added to provide an outstanding view of the Toiyabe and Toquima

Mountains. This completes Phase 1 Trails. The Phase 1 trails are a hiking and horseback riding paradise and are comprised of three loops. Hickison is located

approximately 25 miles east of Austin on Hwy 50. Maps are available on site at the trailhead kiosk.

The trail was built to meet the increasing needs of recreation use, while taking into account multiple-resource

management within these areas. Future plans will expand the trail to connect with the Historic Pony Express Trail, and

will eventually be expanded to about 50 miles. Shoshone OHV Trails System Constructed Shoshone OHV trails consist of approximately 25 miles of trails to ride. Construction of 55+ miles of

Phase 1 Trails began April of 2010 and will continue in years to come with funding available. A vault toilet was installed

at the trailhead November, 2010.

Millcreek Recreation Area ARRA monies were used to purchase campground equipment including tables, trash receptacles, fire rings, BBQ stands, lantern hooks, kiosk, and a vault toilet. The bidding process for A & E, creek restoration, and campground improvements came in at 2 ½ times the government estimate. Leftover monies for Millcreek were returned to other ARRA projects. Other options are being explored to get A & E and construction of campground areas done in-house and in partnership with the County. The vault toilet was installed July, 2010.

Tonopah

National Public Lands Day Event, Black Rock Lava Flow Exclosure Two dozen boy scouts, scoutmasters and BLM volunteers rebuilt a post and rail exclosure fence, picked up trash, installed a display panel, and repaired the kiosk ridgecap at the site. Best-in-the-Desert Las Vegas to Reno OHV Race The 2010 race covered approximately 550 miles, starting south of Beatty, Nev., and finishing in Dayton, Nev. More than 230 cars, trucks, motorcycles, quads, and UTVs entered the event and 150 finished the course. TRAC-ON (Eugene Entertainment) Trail Rides Trail rides utilizing off-road vehicles were authorized over the summer. The tours lasted three to five days and traveled on gravel and dirt roads and unmaintained trails between Gold Point, Gabbs, and Tybo, in the Tonopah resource area.

Accomplishments 2010

Recreation

Progress

Community

Battle Mountain District

Annual Report

2

Index 2011 PROJECTS

Lands and Realty 20-21

Minerals 12-19

Rangeland Management 9-10

Recreation 22

Renewable Energy 6-8

Resource Management Plan Revision 5

The Three Bars Project 5

Wild Horse and Burro 11

Wildlife 11

Front page photos left to right: A steer grazes within the Argenta Allotment, photo by Casey Johnson, Mount Lewis Field Office Rangeland

Management Specialist; An illustration of the Crescent Dunes solar array project, photo courtesy of Tonopah Solar Energy; and Newmont’s gold

quarry pit, courtesy of Newmont, Inc..

ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2010

Fuels and Fire Management 27

Lands and Realty 27

Minerals 24-25

Rangeland Management 26-27

Recreation 31

Renewable Energy 23

The Three Bars Project 23

Tribal 30

Weeds 26

Wild Horse and Burro 29

Wildlife 28-29

15

Wildlife

Burrowing Owl within the Mount Lewis Field Office.

Photo taken by Jason Spence, Rangeland Management Specialist.

Winter Raptor Surveys Six winter raptor surveys were completed by the Battle Mountain District wildlife biologists from January 5 – 15 2011, in support of the National Mid-winter Bald Eagel Survey coordinated through the Nevada Department of Wildlife. These surveys provide important data on distribution, population trends and relative abundance of raptors, corvids and shrikes. Over a four-day period, 736 miles of designated routes were surveyed. Important bird species seen within the MLSFO included a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), many golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), ferruginous hawks (buteo regalis), rough-legged hawks (Buteo lagopus) and prairie falcons (Falco mexicanus).

Accomplishments 2010

Big Game Browse Surveys Browse surveys were

completed from August to

October, 2010, in the Argenta

and Battle Mountain complex

of allotments, and Three-Bars

Ecosystem Restoration Project

Area.

Surveys utilized a modified

extensive browse method,

which provides a summary of

the percent utilization, age

class, form class, and percent

composition of browse

species, such as antelope

bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata),

Utah serviceberry

(Amelanchier utahensis),

mountain mahogany

(Cercocarpus montanus) and

common snowberry

(Symphoricarpos albus),

important for mule deer

(Odocoileus hemionus) and

also utilized by cattle.

A total of 76 transect lines

were completed throughout the

study areas. Data from these

surveys will be used to support

rangeland health evaluations,

environmental assessments,

and environmental impact

statements.

14

Mount Lewis

National Public Lands Day will

be held Sept 24, 2011 in the

Millcreek Recreation Area.

Participants will install remaining

campground equipment. The

project is in partnership with

Lander County.

Shoshone OHV Trails System.

A second Nevada recreation

trails grant was awarded, and

construction will continue

through 2012 to complete

approximately 55+ miles of

Phase 1 Trails. Maps are

available at the BLM office and

on site at the trailhead/staging

area.

OHV-use effects on wildlife, livestock, riparian, and wild horses will be monitored for two years or

longer. The results of the monitoring will determine whether the field office will continue with phase II

and III. The trails are located approximately 24 miles south of Battle Mountain, east of State Route

305 on Red Rock Canyon Road, Lander County. The Shoshone Range OHV Trail System offers

exciting rides as trails meander and flow in a natural rhythm, providing pristine views of wildlife and

wildflowers.

Tonopah

Eugene Entertainment, Inc. (Trac-On), Motorcycle and ATV Trail Ride - The application for this

two-day trail ride has been received and reviewed for completeness. The NEPA analysis will be com-

pleted by the end of the second quarter, FY 2011. The trail ride has been designed for experts and

amateurs on motorcycles (day 1) and novices and beginners on motorcycles and ATV’s (day 2). 35-

50 participants are expected for these 50-100-mile-long rides.

Best in the Desert 2011 TSCO “Vegas to Reno” OHV Race - The application has been received;

Carson City District Office will act as the lead office for the FY 2011 race. The NEPA analysis will be-

gin in the third quarter, FY 2011. The race is expected to begin South of Beatty, in Nye County, and

end near Dayton, in Lyon County. This is an annual 900+ mile OHV race that includes motorcycles,

quads, trucks and race vehicles.

Rhyolite Historic Townsite Volunteer Campsite - With the assistance of Nye County and the Rhyo-

lite Partnership, two covered RV pads have been completed near the Kelly Bottle House. Volunteers

will be able to live on-site and provide a 24-hour presence for the townsite.

Lander County partners and ATV club volunteers take off for tour of Phase

1 trails at the Shoshone Redrock trailhead.

Photo by Todd Neville, Battle Mountain Recreation Planner

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The 3-Bars Project

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O

T he 3-Bars Ecosystem and Landscape Restoration Project is the second largest project undertaken by the Battle Mountain District. Location: Roberts Mountain and the 3-Bars region in northern Eureka County Description: The project addresses restoration, protection and conservation of 750,000 acres within the Roberts Mountain and the 3-Bars areas. The region faces imminent loss of sage brush, bitterbrush and mountain mahogany-shrub habitats that are critical for wildlife. Also at risk are riparian wetlands. Individual treatments could range from several acres to several thousand acres.

Status: In 2011, the project managers will move towards development of a draft EIS, anticipated to be completed in September 2011. Currently the project is only funded through the draft phase of the EIS. Should additional funding be acquired, we will proceed with the development of a final EIS, with a final decision to be rendered in August 2012. Contact: Steve Foree, Battle Mountain District Office

Resource Management Plan Revision

ne of our largest projects is the revision of the District’s Resource Management Plan (RMP) and associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Description: The RMP/EIS will be prepared as a dynamic and flexible plan to allow management to reflect the changing needs of the planning area and will replace the existing 1997 Tonopah RMP and 1986 Shoshone-Eureka RMP. The overall objective of the Battle Mountain RMP planning effort is to provide a collaborative approach that assists BLM in updating the management decisions of the current RMPs. As such, early public involvement, including the Resource Advisory Council (RAC), is crucial to identify various RMP-level issues that should be addressed through the process. The scoping period p rovides the RAC and the public an opportunity to learn about the Battle Mountain RMP and to help identify issues, concerns, and provide input.

The final RMP will identify desired outcomes, future conditions to be maintained or achieved, and specify uses or resource allocations that are allowable, restricted, or prohibited. These include any restrictions needed to meet desired outcomes. Public input on issues related to these decisions is welcomed.

Status: The BLM is currently in the process of preparing the scoping report which will be made

available to the public on the BMD website in the coming months. For the remainder of 2011, the

BLM will be working on incorporating scoping comments into developing alternatives for the RMP

and drafting supporting resource reports.

Contact: Chris Worthington, Battle Mountain District Office

4

Ormat: McGinness Hills Location: 27 miles north of Austin, Lander County Description: This is a fast track project of exploration for geothermal possibilities and the construction

of two 40-megawatt plants. Status: This project is in advanced development stages with proven thermal resources. The

Utilization Plan, Plan of Development and EA have been received. Contact: Tim Coward, RECO

Ormat: Rock Hill Location: 30 miles south of Mina, Esmeralda County Description: Exploration for geothermal possibilities. Status: Exploration has been completed, and site reclamation is underway. Future exploration efforts

are pending. Contact: Tim Coward, RECO

Ormat: Grass Valley Location: Cortez, Lander County Description: Exploration for geothermal possibilities. Status: Ormat plugged the well associated with this project, and reclamation is in progress. Contact: Tim Coward, RECO Sierra Geothermal Power Inc.: Silver Peak Location: Silver Peak, Esmeralda County Description: Authorization for exploration for Temperature Gradient Holes (TGH) and Seismic

studies. Status: Exploration has been approved, and active exploration is underway. Thermal reserves

are evident to support a 15 to 40 megawatt plant. Development plans are expected within the next

two years. Contact: Tim Coward, RECO

Ram Power Location: Silver Peak, Esmeralda County Description: Geothermal exploration. Status: The Operations Plan and EA are under review. Contact: Tim Coward, RECO

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Lands and Realty, continued Valley Electric Association, Inc., Tolicha Peak Power Line

Location: Beatty, Nye County Description: Valley Electric has submitted an ROW application for the construction of an 18-mile-long, 24.9-kilowatt power line from Beatty to military facilities on Tolicha Peak. The existing power line to the facility will be decommissioned if the new right-of-way is authorized. Status: An EA is in process and should be available for public review and comment near the end of the second quarter, FY 2011. Contact: Alan Buehler, Tonopah Field Office Esmeralda County Direct Land Sale

Location: Goldfield, Esmeralda County Description: Esmeralda County has requested a direct sale of 5 acres of public land near the southwest corner of the town of Goldfield. The existing ROW for the Goldfield Water Treatment Plant expires on December 31, 2011. Status: Preparation of the required environmental documents and supportive studies is underway. The tentative completion date for the sale is expected to be third or fourth quarter, FY 2011. The Southern Nevada District, Division of Land Sales and Acquisitions is completing the sale. Contact: Alan Buehler, Tonopah Field Office Other Tonopah Field Office Lands and Realty Actions

There are more than 50 additional projects slated for FY 2011, including:

ROWs

Permits

Leases

Trespasses

Phone Lines

Power Lines

Communication Sites

Roads

Recreation Sites

Dumps and Landfills

Pipelines

A sewage treatment plant

A gravel pit, and

A cemetery Contact: Alan Buehler, Tonopah Field Office

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Barrick Ruby Hill Direct Land Sale Location: Eureka County

Description: This is a proposal to convey, by direct sale,150 acres of public land under the authority of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. The land is located east of the existing Ruby Hill Mine near Eureka.

Status: An approved appraisal report has been received. No comments were received during a 30 day public comment period on the EA and a FONSI has been signed. A Notice of Realty Action is being prepared for publication in the Federal Register, after which the sale can be completed. Tentative completion date for the sale is mid to late 2011.

Contact: Chuck Lane, Mount Lewis Field Office Town of Crescent Valley Arsenic Remediation Project Location: Crescent Valley, Lander and Eureka Counties

Description: A proposed installation of new arsenic removal equipment, a new water well and an additional water storage tank at the town’s existing water supply facility. This project is geared to remediate arsenic levels which no longer meet EPA guidelines for drinking water.

Status: No comments were received during a 30 day public comment period on the EA and a FONSI has been signed. The ROW Grant has been offered to the proponent. Completion is forecast for late February, 2011.

Contact: Chuck Lane, Mount Lewis Field Office Mt. Wheeler Power Company New York Canyon Replacement Powerline Location: Approximately three miles southwest of the town of Eureka

Description: The proposal is to replace an existing powerline that is in disrepair. The existing powerline connects to the powerline that furnishes service to the customers in the Prospect Peak Communications Site. The line will be moved to utilize an existing line that follows Highway 50 and Windfall Canyon. A new line will be constructed from Windfall Canyon to New York Canyon and up New York Canyon to the point where the existing line connects to the buried line that goes to the Prospect Peak Communication Site. Mt. Wheeler Power will remove the old line and poles in New York Canyon. The project is approximately 14,520 feet in length and will be 12.5 feet in width. This will be a 14.4/24.9-kilowatt power distribution line.

Status: The ROW cannot be granted until an EA is completed.

Contact: Nancy Lockridge, Mount Lewis Field Office

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Renewable Energy, continued

Sierra Geothermal Power Inc.: Alum Location: 15 miles north of Silver Peak, Esmeralda County Description: Active exploration for geothermal possibilities is underway. Thermal reserves

are evident to support a 30-megawatt plant. Status: An authorization for exploration has been approved for Temperature Gradient Holes

(TGH) and Seismic studies. Development plans are expected within the next two years. Contact: Tim Coward, RECO

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Ormat’s Jersey Valley Geothermal Plant. This 15 megawatt plant was the only utility-scale

geothermal plant completed in the U.S. in 2010, providing additional renewable energy to

northern Nevada’s electricity grid.

Photo courtesy of Ormat Technologies, Inc.

6

Mount Lewis

Rangeland Health Evaluation, Conformance Determination and Environmental Assessment (EA)

Location: Argenta Allotment, Lander County Description: The Rangeland Health Evaluation process will assist in determining if Resource Advisory Council (RAC) Standards and Guidelines are being met. The process will also consist of a Conformance Determination that identifies causal factors for those standards that may not be met. If current livestock grazing management is determined to be a causal factor to the non-attainment of the RAC Standards and Guidelines, changes in grazing management would be proposed. Additional monitoring data to supplement that already collected will occur during the summer of 2011. If the RAC Standards and Guidelines are not met and livestock grazing is determined to be a significant causal factor for non-attainment, and EA would be completed to analyze alternatives to change management. If needed, the EA is scheduled to be completed by September 30, 2011. Status: In progress – Monitoring data is being compiled and synthesized into a Rangeland Health Assessment. Contact: Jason Spence, Mount Lewis Field Office

Proposed Grazing Decision: Battle Mountain Complex

Location: Copper Canyon and North Buffalo Allotments, Lander and Humboldt Counties Description: Renew permits for Badger/Chiara Ranches, Ellison Ranching Company and Doby George LLC. The permit renewal process was initiated in 2006. An EA was issued to the permittees and interested public on November 18, 2008 for review and comment. Due to comments received, the Mount Lewis Field Office has analyzed an additional grazing management system in the EA - the “Trigger Based Alternative”. The Trigger Based Alternative would allow grazing in the mountain regions of the allotment where the majority of the riparian areas and sage grouse habitat occur after June 30 as long as established “within-season” triggers are not exceeded. Once a given trigger is attained, the permittees would be required to remove livestock from that area of the allotment. Status: The Final EA will be issued with the Proposed Grazing Decision scheduled for completion in March 2011. Contact: Michele McDaniel, Mount Lewis Field Office

continued next page

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Minerals continued

Montezuma Mines Red Canyon Exploration Plan of Operations Location: 30 miles northwest of Eureka, Eureka County Description: Gold exploration project. Status: The EA is out for public review and comment until April 15, 2011. Contact: Larry Turner, Mount Lewis Field Office Coral Gold Resources: Robertson Project

Location: 26 miles southeast of Battle Mountain, Eureka County Description: Gold exploration project. Status: SRK Consulting is preparing an Amended Plan of Operations and revised EA for submittal to the District. Contact: Larry Turner, Mount Lewis Field Office

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continued next page

Pouring Gold.

Wearing a protective heat

suit, a technician pours a

series of doré bars (about

90% gold). At this stage,

the material, heated to

about 2,100 degrees

Fahrenheit, is a molten

liquid, which cools and

solidifies rapidly when

poured into molds. After being shipped off

site, the doré makes its way

to a high-tech facility in

Europe for further

refinement into near-

100%-pure gold bullion. Photo courtesy of

Newmont Mining Corp.

10

Minerals continued Cortez Hills Expansion Project

Location: Approximately 30 miles southeast of Battle Mountain, Eureka County

Description: An active gold mining operation, utilizing open pit and underground mining.

Status: The Notice of Availability for the Cortez Hills SEIS was published in the Federal Register on Friday, January 14, 2011. This notice started a 30-day public review period which ended on February 14, 2011. BLM signed the Record of Decision and Plan Approval on March 15, 2011. Contact: Jon sherve, Mount Lewis Field Office Horse Canyon Cortez Unified Exploration Project (HCCUEP) Location: Approximately 33 miles southeast of Battle Mountain, Eureka County Description: A precious metals exploration project consisting of 250 acres of surface disturbance. Status: Work Plan for HCCUEP for 2011 was submitted early January and is being reviewed by the District. The amendment to the EA is has been completed and comment period ended on January 10, 2011. Two comment letters were received, one from Great Basin Resource Watch and the other from the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe. Comments will be addressed in the EA. Contact: Jon Sherve, Mount Lewis Field Office Ruby Hill Mine Location: One mile northwest of Eureka, Eureka County Description: An active precious metals mining operation, utilizing open pit mining and heap leach recovery. Status: BLM approved an Amerndment to the Plan of Operations in February 2011. The amendment was for the expansion of an existing waste rock facility. Contact: Larry Turner, Mount Lewis field Office

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Permit Renewal Smoky and Francisco Allotments Location: Nye County Description: Smoky and Francisco Allotment Permit Renewals. Status: To be completed in FY 2011. Contact: Sheryl Post, Marc Pointel or Adam Stephens, Tonopah Field Office Grazing Administration Transfers Location: Nye County Description: Grazing transfer of permitted animal unit month (AUMs) for the Nyala, San Antone, Smoky, Monte Cristo and Butterfield allotments. Status: To be completed in FY 2011. Contact: Sheryl Post, Tonopah Field Office.

Rangeland Health Assessment Location: Nye County Description: Stone Cabin allotment. Status: To be completed in FY 2011. Contact: Sheryl Post or Marc Pointel Tonopah Field Office

Rangeland Management, continued

Grazing Administration Decisions Location: Nye County Description: Dissolving the Silver King Allotment boundary because of a recent decision. Status: To be completed in FY 2011. Contact: Marc Pointel, Tonopah Field Office …………………………………………………….. Location: Nye County Description: Reduction in the permitted AUMs on the Ralston and Stone Cabin Allotments due to desert land entry actions. Status: To be completed in FY 2011. Contact: Marc Pointel, Tonopah Field Office Rangeland Restoration Location: Nye County Description: Initiate two restoration test projects on the Francisco and Stone Cabin Allotments. This test project is to be implemented on halogeton deteriorated rangeland. Status: Commence in FY 2011. Contact: Marc Pointel, Tonopah Field Office

Tonopah

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Mount Lewis

Eureka Moly Mount Hope Project

Location: Approximately 20 miles northwest of Eureka, Eureka County

Description: Open pit molybdenum mining and milling. The Plan would allow Eureka Moly LLC to

develop a large scale open pit mine with a 44-year mine life. Once fully operational, it is projected to

produce 8% of the world’s molybdenum supply.

Status: BLM provided comments to Eureka Moly on version 12 of the Plan of Operations in

February 2011. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is being prepared and is expected to be

issued in March or April 2011.

Contact: Larry Turner, Mount Lewis Field Office

Molybdenum ("moly") is a metallic element used primarily as an alloy in steel

manufacturing. Moly-enhanced stainless and construction-grade steels are stronger

and more resistant to heat and corrosion than other types of steel. Moly is also used

to remove sulfur from liquid fuels in the petroleum refining process. There is nothing

quite like moly. Its unique properties make it a necessary and irreplaceable element in

a growing number of steel and other applications.

What is Molybdenum?

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Minerals, continued

Mule Canyon Long Term Closure Plan

Location: 15 miles southeast of Battle Mountain, Lander County

Description: Closure of a previously operating precious metals (gold and silver) mine, and possible resumption of mining operations. Status: Newmont’s decision regarding the resumption of mining is expected by May 2011. Newmont continues to operate under terms and conditions of an Interim Water Management Plan. If mining is not resumed, Newmont will proceed with permanent closure.

Contact: Larry Turner, Mount Lewis Field Office

Buffalo Valley Mine Location: 14 miles south of Valmy, Lander County

Description: The Buffalo Valley mine area is currently subject to a Joint Venture between

Newmont Mining Corporation and Fairmile Gold Mining Inc. of Vancouver, B.C., Canada.

Newmont has completed over 150,000 feet of drilling in more than 150 drill holes. Ongoing

activities include feasibility studies, metallurgical testing, project permitting and development

drilling.

Status: Newmont is in the process of conducting baseline analysis in preparation for submittal of a Plan of Operations. Contact: Larry Turner, Mount Lewis Field Office Toiyabe Exploration Location: Approximately 36 miles southeast of Battle Mountain, Eureka County

Description: Exploration and remediation have been completed for the exploration project.

Status: Public notice for a final bond release was posted in January 14, 2011 for a 30-day public appeal period. No comments were received and the bond release is scheduled for mid March, 2011. Contact: Jon Sherve, Mount Lewis Field Office

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