WINNEMUCCA, Nev. (AP) — U.S. land managers are planning to round up more than 2,800 wild horses across four Nevada counties beginning next week in an effort to reduce pressure on the drought-stricken rangeland.
The Bureau of Land Management announced details of the operation Friday, saying the current wild horse population across portions of Pershing, Humboldt, Churchill and Lander counties is more than six times what it should be.
Officials said there’s not enough water and forage to support that number.
“Herd overpopulation and severe drought conditions have cumulative impacts on public lands, including wild horse health that must be mitigated,” said Chris Mitchell, the manager of the agency’s Humboldt River Field Office.
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Mitchell said the goal is to restore an ecological balance across millions of acres of public land in northern Nevada. The area also includes habitat for the greater sage grouse as well as bighorn sheep, mule deer and pronghorn antelope.
The horses that are rounded up as part of the operation will be checked by a veterinarian and readied for the agency’s adoption and sale program.
Earlier this year, horse advocates were unsuccessful in stopping another roundup after a federal judge determined the Bureau of Land Management appeared to be complying with the law and doing everything it could to gather the wild horses as humanely as possible.
The Bureau of Land Management reported in November that it has removed nearly 70,000 wild horses and burros and treated nearly 5,600 with fertility control since 2018 as part of its plan to reduce the issues caused by overpopulation, overgrazing, and severe drought.
Christmas Day weather forecast for Northern California – Dec. 25, 2024
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Christmas Day weather forecast for Northern California – Dec. 25, 2024
02:55
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TRUCKEE — With another weather system just about done with Northern California, roads in the Northern California high country are open but still potentially treacherous on Christmas Day.
As of noon, there are no restrictions on both Interstate 80 and Highway 50 in the Sierra Nevada.
The same can’t be said for the smaller highways, however.
On Highway 89, Caltrans says chains or snow tires are required from Truckee to the Sierra/Plumas County line, and from Truckee to around 11 miles north of Truckee.
Highlighting how dangerous the conditions could be, on Christmas morning California Highway Patrol posted about a driver who nearly went completely off the side of the road near Emerald Bay. The vehicle had to be towed out.
Further south, along Highway 88, Caltrans says chains are also still required on all vehicles from 6.5 miles east of Peddler Hill in Amador County to about 5 miles west of Picketts Junction in Alpine County.
Another impactful weather system is expected to arrive by Thursday in Northern California
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Cecilio Padilla
Cecilio Padilla is a digital producer for CBS Sacramento and a Sacramento-area native who has been covering Northern California for more than a decade.
Neither of the authors of “Homesteading 2.0” (Dec. 15 Review-Journal) lives in Nevada. Yet, they believe they are qualified to advocate for increased development of our public lands.
To date, much new development has focused on luxury housing and green energy projects, rather than the need for affordable housing. While the authors acknowledge our successful conservation efforts, they fail to mention that current residents are being heavily regulated by the water authority, facing penalties, and pressured to reduce water usage. Lawns are being replaced with desert landscaping, and ongoing development to accommodate growth is contributing to the urban heat island effect. This growth has led to more congested roadways, wildlife encroaching into urban areas due to habitat loss and reduced access to recreational spaces that residents once enjoyed.
One of the defining features of Las Vegas was the open space surrounding the valley, which has long been a unique advantage of living in the Southwest. We must carefully consider how much growth we are willing to support moving forward.
Due to rainy weather forecast, the Annual Menorah Lighting in Nevada City has been moved indoors to The Miners Foundry (325 Spring St, Nevada City). Co-sponsored by Chabad of Grass Valley and The Miners Foundry, this special and FREE Chanukah celebration will take place on Thursday, December 26, at 4:00 p.m., and the public is invited to join the fun.
This year, for the first time ever, the event will feature the lighting of a 12-foot illuminated menorah, the largest and brightest in Nevada County. The menorah lighting promises to be an inspiring and memorable moment, bringing the community and our elected officials together to celebrate the message of Chanukah.
The evening will also include a unique performance by a Hassidic fire performer from Brooklyn, adding excitement and energy to the festivities. Guests will enjoy live Chanukah music, singing, and dancing, along with warm Starbucks coffee. Delicious latkes and donuts will be served, and there will be Chanukah gelt and dreidels for everyone to enjoy.
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“Chanukah is about bringing more light into the world each day,” said Rabbi Nochum Yusewitz. “We’re grateful to be able to gather indoors this year to keep everyone warm and dry while celebrating the holiday together. Although it’s the 9th year we are organizing this, there are lots of ‘firsts’ this year so that’s very exciting.”
For more information about the event, about Chanukah or about Chabad call Rabbi Nochum at 530-404-0030 or email hello@JewishGV.com
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