Information Related to Proposed Land Withdrawals

 

Information Related to Proposed Land Use Plans and Withdrawals

Mineral Withdrawal in Sagebrush Focal Areas

22-Dec-2025 – Approved Resource Management Plans and Records of Decision have published

The BLM has completed the Greater Sage-grouse Rangewide Planning effort and published Records of Decision for all remaining states on December 22, 2025. The approved Resource Management Plan (RMP) amendments and Records of Decision for all states are available in the Documents tab.

The BLM is amending specific greater sage-grouse goals, objectives and management from previous planning efforts in 77 resource management plans across ten western states (California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming). These changes are to enhance greater sage-grouse conservation through management of sagebrush habitats on BLM-managed lands. This effort builds on the 2015 and 2019 greater sage-grouse planning efforts and is focused on changing those actions and decisions for which additional scientific information has emerged, or which will enhance conservation while allowing for continued multiple use on BLM-managed lands.

Additional information regarding this planning effort and more general greater sage-grouse information are available at https://www.blm.gov/sagegrouse. 

 

Washoe County Lands Bill (formerly Truckee Meadows Public Lands Management Act)

The Truckee Meadows Public Lands Management Act, also known as the Washoe County Lands Bill, is a federal proposal introduced by Senator Jacky Rosen in February of 2025 to manage public land use, boost affordable housing, and protect natural areas. You can track the official progress of the proposal through Congress.gov.  (Senate Bill,  Washoe County website)

 

BLM Proposing New Conservation and Landscape Health Regulations

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes new regulations that, pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, and other relevant authorities, would advance the BLM's mission to manage the public lands for multiple use and sustained yield by prioritizing the health and resilience of ecosystems across those lands. To ensure that health and resilience, the proposed rule provides that the BLM will protect intact landscapes, restore degraded habitat, and make wise management decisions based on science and data. To support these activities, the proposed rule would apply land health standards to all BLM-managed public lands and uses, clarify that conservation is a “use” within FLPMA's multiple-use framework, and revise existing regulations to better meet FLPMA's requirement that the BLM prioritize designating and protecting Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs). The proposed rule would add language to provide an overarching framework for multiple BLM programs to promote ecosystem resilience on public lands.

The proposed rule and detailed information on commenting can be found at these regulations

 

Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2023 (HR 3173)

On May 10, 2023, U.S. Representative Mark Amodei reintroduced the Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act, legislation “which will allow for the conveyance of federal lands to Douglas County, Pershing County, Carson City, the City of Fernley, the City of Sparks, and the Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) for public purposes and economic development. Additionally, this bill designates nearly 150,000 acres of wilderness in northern Nevada and removes the possibility of oil and gas leasing in over 300,000 acres of the Ruby Mountains of Elko County. This represents over 450,000 acres of land given conservation protections, compared to the less than 40,000 acres identified for development.”

Text of the bill can be seen here – HR 3173 2023 Lands Bill text. Text to a summary of the bill by section can be seen here – HR 3173 2023 Lands Bill Breakdown. 

 

Fallon Range Training Complex (FRTC) Modernization Proposal 

Explanation: The Fallon Range Training Complex (FRTC) encompasses the Dixie Valley Training Area and four land bombing ranges. The Navy’s stated goal of the proposed modernization is to “improve both ground and air training by providing a more realistic training environment and acceptable distances and altitudes for the release of weapons. Current training is limited due to inadequate space.”

On December 23, 2022, President Biden signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act (FFY 2023) which includes the Navy’s FRTC expansion and withdrawal of approximately 558,000 acres of land for the military and more than 580,000 acres of federal land withdrawn from multiple use for new conservation and wilderness areas. A map and summary of impacts can be found here.

As part of the 2023 NDAA, the Division was added to the membership of the Intergovernmental Executive Committee (IEC). The IEC meets regularly "for the purpose of exchanging views, information, and advice relating to the management of the natural and cultural resources" on the affected lands. Information on the IEC.

The determination of next steps for mining claims is dependent on the results and analyses of ongoing surveys of all lands addressed in the NDAA, this includes realignment of SR 361 and relocation of the Great Basin Pipeline. Other than the reference in the Navy’s published timeline, to “Evaluate/nominal payment for mining claims” in Q1 and Q2 of Federal Fiscal Year 2025, there is currently no new information regarding mining claims. Entities who believe they may have impacted mining claims are encouraged to contact the BLM Carson City District Office.