Washington, D.C. – Following Senator Catherine Cortez Masto’s (D-Nev.) efforts to protect Nevada’s Ruby Mountains, the U.S. Department of the Interior has proposed new protections for Nevada’s beautiful and pristine Ruby Mountains. The new proposed rule, which now goes to a 30-day comment period, would formally withdraws approximately 309,000 acres of National Forest System district land, comprising the Ruby Mountain Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, from eligibility for oil and gas leasing. Cortez Masto called on the administration to take this critical action last year.
“I commend the Biden-Harris Administration for heeding my calls and taking this critical step to protect our Ruby Mountains,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This is a historic step that will allow future generations of Nevadans can continue hiking, biking, fishing, and skiing in Nevada’s beautiful public lands. I’ll keep working to pass my Ruby Mountains Protection Act to ensure these protections are permanent.”
“The Ruby Mountains are not just a natural treasure—they’re a vital part of Nevada’s identity and economy. Protecting these lands from speculative oil and gas leasing ensures that future generations can continue to hike, ski, fish, and experience the unparalleled beauty of ‘Nevada’s Swiss Alps.’ This is a smart decision that will bolster rural economies and maintain access to outdoor spaces for all to enjoy. We applaud the Forest Service and BLM for listening to Nevadans and taking action to protect this special place, and thank Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen for championing this effort,” said Mandi Elliott, Executive Director of the Nevada Outdoor Business Coalition
“The Ruby Mountains are home to Nevada’s largest mule deer herd, yet their population is in decline. Withdrawing the Ruby Mountains from oil and gas exploration will help ensure wildlife and their habitat avoid further disturbance,” said Russell Kuhlman, Executive Director of the Nevada Wildlife Federation. “We thank the Forest Service and the BLM as well as our Nevada delegation for conserving one of Nevada’s crown jewels and its wildlife.”
“While there are many places appropriate for oil and gas lease sales, the Ruby Mountains are not one of them,” said Dan Johnson, Public Lands Coordinator for Trout Unlimited in Nevada. “With very low potential for profitable extraction, oil and gas leases in the area only serve to create administrative burden at the expense of taxpayers.We thank Senator Cortez Masto, Senator Rosen, the USFS, and the BLM for taking steps to further protect the Rubies and its unparalleled fishing and hunting values from this type of wasteful speculative leasing.”
“The Rubies are one of Nevada’s most iconic landscapes,” said Carl Erquiaga, Nevada field representative for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “From the trophy mule deer to the native Lahontan cutthroat, this range provides hunters and anglers with coveted opportunities. We appreciate the hard work from Nevada’s elected officials as well as the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service to maintain the excellent hunting and fishing qualities of the Rubies.”
“Nevada’s Ruby Mountains are truly a public lands treasure enjoyed by hunters and anglers. We thank the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management for their action to conserve this landscape for the next twenty years and we share our appreciation with Nevada’s congressional delegation for their leadership in advocating for the permanent protection of the Rubies,” said Dallas B. Hatch, Board Member for the Nevada Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and Elko County resident. “This incredible landscape supports all kinds of wildlife and alpine lakes that hold fish such as the native Lahontan cutthroat trout. High on the mountain peaks, you may find mountain goats, bighorn sheep, Himalayan snowcocks, and even the occasional pika. Lower down the mountains, there are herds of mule deer and elk, as well as a growing population of Shiras moose, the newest game species to be found on the Nevada landscape.”
To permanently protect this critical habitat, Cortez Masto will continue to push to pass her Ruby Mountains Protection Act to ensure these changes cannot be undone by a future administration.
Senator Cortez Masto has been a champion for Nevada’s great outdoor spaces and public lands. She passed critical legislation to permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which protects public lands in Nevada and across the U.S. She introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to restore Lake Tahoe, and she delivered critical funding to protect Lake Tahoe in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. She also helped pass the historic Great American Outdoors Act, which was signed into law and provides robust funding to preserve and maintain public lands across the country.
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