Christy Lattin
Churchill County filed an appeal on Aug. 12 with the Bureau of Land Management challenging the agency's decision to reduce grazing rights on the Lahontan and Horse Mountain grazing allotments, arguing the agency is moving too quickly on a decision based on incomplete information and unfulfilled requirements.
A July 31 BLM decision authorizes new 10-year grazing permits for Snow Livestock LLC for the Lahontan and Horse Mountain grazing allotments, and for Damonte Ranch LLC, also on the Horse Mountain grazing allotment. However, according to County Manager Chris Spross, the Bureau made significant reductions to current grazing acreage, allowable livestock numbers, and grazing time to accommodate the expansion of the B-16 bombing range at the Fallon Range Training Complex (FRTC).
The expanded BRAVO-16 range takes a sizable section out of the Lahontan allotment, specifically a large southeastern portion of that range. The Horse Mountain allotment is less affected but still loses acreage in its northern portion. The Lahontan allotment sits on the Lyon-Churchill County line south of Lahontan Reservoir, while the Horse Mountain allotment is south of the White Throne Mountains that skirt the southeastern edge of the county.
In the appeal, the county argues that the decision is "incorrect and premature" for several reasons. First, the county believes that the BLM is using incorrect boundary maps that do not match those specified in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act that authorized the FRTC land withdrawal.
Additionally, the county contends that federal law prohibits the Navy from using the expanded training areas until both the Navy and the Department of the Interior (DOI) certify to Congress that all required commitments have been completed.
According to the filing, the Navy has yet to fulfill several obligations, including compensating the grazing permittees, completing environmental approvals, and constructing replacement roads. "The Navy has not, to the county's knowledge, completed its ROD commitments," writes Spross in the appeal, referencing requirements detailed in the 2020 Record of Decision (ROD) for the FRTC project.
The decision states that before the BRAVO-16 range becomes operational, the Navy and DOI are to construct a new right-of-way for Sand Canyon Road and reconstruct sections of Sand Canyon and Lone Tree roads. Further, the county asserts that the Navy has not authorized compensation for permanent improvements such as corrals.
Spross also states that while the Navy offered payment to affected permittees for lost forage, these offers have not been accepted, and alternative compensation methods outlined in federal law have not been fully explored.
Churchill County is requesting the BLM delay its final decision until at least Apr. 1, 2026, and confirm its mapping of the allotment areas, allowing Snow Livestock and Damonte Ranch another full grazing season and time to agree on a final mitigation package.
"The delay would have no impact on the Navy, would allow the Navy and [the permit holders] more time to come to an agreement on a final mitigation package, and provide significant goodwill within the community," writes Spross in the appeal, who also says the Navy cannot legally use the expanded range until all requirements are met.
Commission Chair Myles Getto, who comes from a long-standing Churchill County ranching family, said county residents have always been supportive of the Navy, and the new grazing allotments will affect future generations of ranchers. "I just hope the Navy is supportive of ranching," he said.
Churchill County served as a cooperating agency during the original environmental review process and was directly involved in developing the federal legislation authorizing the FRTC land withdrawal. The county is requesting that, when a final decision is issued, the BLM provide additional detail and transparency regarding the final analysis used to determine the adjustments in the permitted number of animals allowed in the allotted areas.
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