BATTLE MOUNTAIN — The Battle Mountain District, Mount Lewis Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is in the early planning stage for a proposed wild horse gather in the Diamond Complex (Diamond, Diamond Hills North and Diamond Hills South Herd Management Areas) in early 2013. The BLM will prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze the potential impacts of a gather on the public land. The Diamond Complex of HMAs is north of Eureka.

The current estimated population of 826 wild horses is affecting rangeland health in the area. The appropriate management level for the Diamond Complex is 210 wild horses, which was established through prior decision documents following the collection and analysis of monitoring data and coordination with the interested public.

The EA will be made available to the public in late August or early September, for a 30-day comment period.

The Diamond Complex is a diverse area consisting of 10,000-foot mountain peaks, steep drainages, rolling foothills, aspen stands, streams, springs and meadows. The complex provides important habitat to a large diversity of wildlife including greater sage grouse, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, raptors, migratory birds, coyote, mountain lion, and reptiles.

An on-site wild horse adoption is also being planned for this gather.

The scoping letter, map and photos of the Diamond Complex are available on the Battle Mountain District website at www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/battle_mountain_field.html.

For more information regarding this proposal, contact Shawna Richardson, wild horse and burro specialist, at 635-4181 or email comments to Diamond_Complex_Gather@blm.gov.