Nevada Division of Environmental Protection approves Jerritt Canyon Mine’s plan to restart milling operations

CARSON CITY, Nev. – The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) has announced the completion of initial environmental compliance requirements at Queenstake Resources’ Jerritt Canyon Mine, a major producer of gold in northern Elko County. This determination will allow Jerritt Canyon Mine’s milling and ore processing operations to restart.

“Queenstake Resources has met all requirements to restart. There are requirements to continue operation and we’ll be working with Queenstake to ensure those are met in the near future,” said NDEP Administrator Leo Drozdoff.

The NDEP has worked with mine personnel continuously during the past six months. Air and water issues have been resolved to a level that will allow Jerritt Canyon Mine to begin processing ore. The restart will allow Queenstake Resources to rehire workers, generate revenue and continue required environmental work at the site.

Officials try to avert Tahoe beetle infestation (RGJ)

Foresters have issued a “call to action” to prevent further spread of a major bark beetle epidemic, with targeted land including the Lake Tahoe area and other parts of the Sierra.

About 2.4 million acres of “high priority” at risk of being overrun by beetles have been identified for potential treatment by the Council of Western State Foresters. Much of the land is in the Sierra and near communities where widespread tree mortality could produce extreme fire danger.

Read the complete story at the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Kershaw-Ryan Campground Opening March 30, 2009

CALIENTE, Nev.— A new 15 unit campground at Kershaw-Ryan State Park will open Monday, March 30, 2009.

The opening of the new facilities adds to the park’s many amenities, including potable water, shade armadas, tables and grills, flush toilets, coin operated showers and an RV dump station.

One of the new camp sites is designed to accommodate those with disabilities. The camping fee is $10 per night and camping is on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

New Campground at Kershaw Ryan State Park

Western State Foresters Support Call to Action in New Bark Beetle Publication

 

Bark beetle in Tahoe-area forest.

DENVER — The Council of Western State Foresters (CWSF) supports the ‘call to action’ in the recent Western Forestry Leadership Coalition (WFLC) publication, The Western Bark Beetle Assessment: A Framework for Cooperative Forest Stewardship- 2nd Edition. As the bark beetle epidemic continues to decimate western forests the WFLC updated the 2-year old report so that information can be utilized now for quick on-the-ground action. The report includes new information on the importance of trees in storing carbon, progress over the past five years and a call to action.

Currently, over 7 million acres of western forests contain dead or dying trees due to bark beetle outbreaks. According to the recent assessment, approximately 22 million additional acres of western forests, on both public and private land, are likely to experience significant (over 25%) tree mortality from bark beetles over the next 15 years.