BLM seeks comment on new interagency fire center in Carson

BLM is proposing to construct a new interagency fire facility on five acres

of public land at the base of Prison Hill, just east of the intersection of

South Edmonds Drive and Koontz Lane in Carson City, Nev. The new complex

would include office and support buildings for BLM wildland fire engines

and seasonal housing for both BLM and Humboldt Toiyabe National

Forest-Carson Ranger District (USFS) fire fighting personnel. This

includes cooking, shower and bunk facilities sufficient to meet the needs

of up to 40 federal firefighters.

The purpose of the proposed fire facility is to enhance federal fire

fighting capacity locally, regionally and nationally. Wildland fire

fighting is seasonal and temporary by nature. Most employees are hired in

the spring and terminated in the fall. It is very difficult to recruit

employees to work for five months, a typical fire season, from outside the

commuting area without being able to provide affordable seasonal housing.

Having this facility available would aid in the recruitment and retention

of highly qualified firefighters who currently find it difficult to find

summer housing in the area.

The proposed action will be discussed at the Carson City Planning

Commission meeting on February 25, 2009, 5:00 p.m., Carson City Community

Center (Sierra Room), 851 East William Street, Carson City.

Federal, state and local agencies and other organizations or individuals

who may be interested in, or affected by, a BLM decision to issue the

right-of-way grants for the proposed project are invited and encouraged to

participate in the scoping process and to provide written comments on

issues to be addressed in the Environmental Assessment.

The public scoping period for public comment is open until the close of

business on March 11, 2009.

Scoping comments may be sent by mail, e-mail, or fax to: BLM Carson City

District, Attn: Keith Barker, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, NV

89701 Phone: (775) 885-6120, Fax: (775) 885-6106. E-mail:

kdbarker@blm.gov.