Green

Greater sage grouse may be at risk if land in central Nevada is sold for fracking.

Fracking up

Land in central Nevada may be sold for fracking

An upcoming Bureau of Land Management oil and gas lease sale includes over 174,000 acres of land between the towns of Tonopah and Austin in north by central Nevada. This sale means that all or a portion of these lands could

Sage Leehey potentially be opened up to the highly controversial process of fracking. sagel@ In response to the notice of this sale on April 14, the Center for newsreview.com Biological Diversity recently filed a 47-page formal protest of the sale. The reasons for CBD’s protest are extensive but include concerns for public health, water and air quality, and rare species present on this land, according to senior scientist at CBD and author of the protest Rob Mrowka. Most are concerns shared by many anti-fracking individuals. “Fracking is a highly dangerous process of injecting a toxic brew of chemicals ... into the ground at high pressures to basically blast apart or crack rocks in the earth’s surface to release trapped natural gas and oil,” Mrowka said. “And there’s a significant risk, we feel, for pollution of the environment in a number of ways. I mean, through the introduction of those chemicals into the earth, the possible pathways that are created by the fracking process itself to connect those chemicals with groundwater. There are many different ways.” But specifically in this area, Mrowka stated concerns for species and animal habitats that could be affected negatively if this sale goes through and the land is used for fracking. To see the Center for “We’re very concerned about ... the specific impacts of the parcels Biological Diversity’s formal protest, visit http://tinyurl.com/ in this sale on rare species such as greater sage grouse, several species of desert fish, several rare plants and a couple of rare kangaroo mice,” njvcczf. Mrowka said. What to do about the population of greater sage grouse in Nevada and surrounding states is hotly debated right now, as the species is being considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act. BLM is in the process of coming up with a plan to better protect sage grouse. Mrowka hopes BLM will consider not having the sale at all. “What we’ve asked for is a cancellation of the sale, or at the bare minimum, a postponement of the sale until other planning processes that are going on now for the protection of greater sage grouse are completed,” Mrowka said. CBD and Mrowka also have concerns about the environmental study conducted for this sale—an environmental assessment as opposed to an environmental impact statement—because it is a lower level study than they believe necessary for this particular situation. The high possibility that these lands may be used for horizontal hydraulic fracturing is most of the reason why CBD believes the impacts on the environment would be significant and require an EIS as opposed to the EA, according to their protest. BLM has up until the day of the sale—July 17—to respond to CBD’s protest and announce whether they will withdraw any or all of the parcels from the sale. The next step for CBD, depending on BLM’s response, may be litigation. Ω

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ACTIVITIES SALUTE TO WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT

The 23rd annual Nevada Women’s Fund Salute to Women of Achievement Luncheon will feature keynote speaker Lucille O’Neal, author and motivational speaker and mother. Th, 5/29, 11:30AM-1:30PM, $125 per person or $1,250 a table. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300

LUCAS OIL OFF-ROAD RACES

A variety of motor sports industry vendors, food and activities. Last chance qualifi ers from 5-7PM. Main races begin at 7:30. F, 5/30, 11AM and Sa, 5/31, 11AM, $25 general admission. Wild West Motorsports Park, 12005 East Interstate 80 (775) 323-2977

ART ADVENTURES

Watercolor, pastels, mixed media and more! Th, through 5/29, 4-5PM, $45. Alf Sorensen Community Center, 1400 Baring Blvd. (775) 353-2385

PAINT THE MASTERS

Create masterpieces inspired by the art of master classic and modern painters. Th, through 5/29, 5:15-7:15PM, $85. Alf Sorensen Community Center, 1400 Baring Blvd. (775) 353-2385

CROCHET CONNECTION

Learn to crochet or share tips with other crochet enthusiasts. Th, 4-5:45PM, free. Spanish Springs Library, 7100A Pyramid Lake Highway (775) 424-1800

CLICKETS KNITTING GROUP

This class is for knitters of all ages and levels. Yarn and needles are available. First and Third Su of every month, 1:30-3PM, free. Spanish Springs Library, 7100A Pyramid Lake Highway, Spanish Springs (775) 424-1800

SCHEELS RUNNING CLUB

Run with expert pacers and enjoy running in a group Tu, 6:30PM through 12/9, free. Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr. (775) 331-2700

FOUR SEASONS BOOK CLUB

The book club meets the fi rst Saturday of each month. Call to fi nd out each month’s book title. First Sa of every month, 1-2PM, free. Sparks Library, 1125 12th St. (775) 352-3200

CONVERSATION CAFE

The drop-in conversation program meets on the fi rst Saturday of each month, 2-4PM, free. Sparks Library, 1125 12th St. (775) 352-3200

SCHEELS SUMMER SPORTS EXPO

Join Scheels as we showcase any and all Summer Sports activities in an interactive and fun way: golf, baseball, biking, soccer, fi tness, camping, and MORE! Sa, 5/31, 9am-7pm, free. Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr., (775) 331-2700

SCHEELS KETTLEBELL WORKSHOPS

Join Scheels and Anytime Fitness to participate in FREE Kettlebell Workshops during the Scheels Summer Sports Expo. The workshops will occur at 10am, 11am, & 12pm, Sa, 5/31, 10am2pm, free. 1200 Scheels Dr., (775) 331-2700

SURFSET DEMO AT SCHEELS

Join Scheels and The Lean Lemon Fitness & Nutrition Company to try a SURFSET Demo for FREE! We are hosting (4) four demos, limited to (5) fi ve spots at each demo. Please pre-register TODAY at www.active.com (Search: Scheels). All participants will be given a $10 Scheels Gift Card! 1200 Scheels Dr., (775) 331-2700

PERFORMANCE AND MUSIC OPEN MIC COMEDY

Th, 9pm, no cover. Great Basin Brewing Company, 846 Victorian Ave., (775) 355-7711

DANNY BUTLEER WITH THE BANDALARELS

Sa, 5/31, 8PM, no cover. Great Basin Brewing Co., 846 Victorian Ave. (775) 355-7711

COUNTRY NIGHT

Thursdays, 6:30PM – 10PM, free. Bourbon Square Casino, 1040 Victorian Ave. (775) 997-7177

LIVE MONDAYS WITH TANY JANE

Open mic night every Monday at 8PM, hosted by Tany Jane. M, 8PM, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

OPEN JAM WITH TAZER & FRIENDS

W, 8PM, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

ERIKA PAUL

Enjoy Louisiana-style food and the soulful, breathtaking jazz sounds of Erika Paul on keyboards and vocals. No cover. Th, 6PM, no cover. Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, 1180 Scheels Dr. (775) 657-8659

BLACK AND BLUES JAM

Tu, 8:30PM, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030

LIVE JAZZ

Vocal and instrumental jazz from “The Great American Songbook”, performed by First Take featuring Rick (SAX) Metz. Fridays, 6PM, no cover. Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, 1180 Scheels Dr., Sparks, NV 89441 (775) 657-8659

KARAOKE

Th-Sa, 9PM, no cover. Bottom’s Up Saloon, 1923 Prater Way (775) 359-3677

Th, 7-10PM through 4/24, No cover. Elbow Room Bar, 2002 Victorian Ave. (775) 356-9799

Sa, 8PM, no cover. 50 Yard Line Bar & Grill, 400 S. Rock Blvd. (775) 358-8848