Interim BLM Nevada Director Ruhs will take post permanently

CARSON CITY — The interim Nevada director of the federal Bureau of Land Management is taking on the job permanently.

National BLM Director Neil Kornze announced Wednesday that he'd appointed John Ruhs to the post. Ruhs will be based in Reno.

Nevada's two senators praised him for his work. Republican Sen. Dean Heller said Ruhs has helped resolve a variety of long-standing disputes in Nevada during his short time as interim director.

Sen. Harry Reid said Ruhs has done terrific work for the agency in the past.

The BLM manages vast swaths of land in Nevada and has been at the center of disputes over wild horse roundups, grazing rights and sage grouse.

Ruhs is an Iowa native who's worked for the BLM in a variety of Western states and Washington, D.C.