Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Forest Service: Mountains around Elko not suitable for oil, gas leasing

SPARKS — The U.S. Forest Service says it has concluded that oil and gas leasing isn't suitable for Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest land in a mountain range in northeastern Nevada's Elko County that is a popular recreation area.

Forest officials announced Thursday that Forest Supervisor Bill Dunkelberger's analysis of approximately 52,500 acres in the Ruby Mountains concluded there is little to no potential of oil and gas resources in the area and that there are concerns over potential impacts to wildlife and to recreational and scenic values.

The notice issued Thursday triggers a 45-day period for formal objections.

The Forest Service began the leasing analysis in 2017 after the Bureau of Land Management said there was interest in oil and gas leasing in the area.