Comments sought on Proposed Interagency Fire Facility in Carson City

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.

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.

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.