Courtney Bourgoin, courtney.bourgoin@sierraclub.org
Las Vegas, NV-- Today, the US Forest Service issued a final decision on oil and gas drilling in Nevada’s Ruby Mountains-- denying the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) request to offer parcels for leasing in the landscape. The decision comes after an outpouring of public opposition and restricts BLM from offering the sale of parcels in the Ruby Mountains for oil and gas development.
In spite of public comment and limited oil and gas potential that led to the Forest Service decision, the BLM is set to include parcels that sit directly adjacent to the Ruby Mountains in their July lease sale.
In response, Christian Gerlach of the Sierra Club’s Our Wild America campaign released the following statement:
“Today’s final decision not to subject the precious Ruby Mountains to oil and gas destruction makes something very clear: public opinion matters and dirty fuels on our public lands put way too much at risk.
“Thanks to the public outcry from Elko County locals, Native American Nations and conservation groups, the Forest Service recognized the economic, ecological, and recreational benefits of rejecting leases in the Ruby Mountains.
“The Bureau of Land Management should take note of this process, and withdraw any parcels and all lands immediately adjacent to and surrounding the Ruby Mountains from their upcoming oil and gas lease sale.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.