Drought-stricken Utah draws visit from top BLM officials

The parched ranges of western Utah and two other states are drawing a visit from top officials with the Bureau of Land Management, who plan to see firsthand the devastating impacts of a four-year drought. The national director of the BLM, Neil Kornze, was briefed on the drought and on what sort of preparations are being carried out for the upcoming wildfire season. He was in Boise to meet with authorities at the National Interagency Fire Center and is determining the extent of measures that will be put into place to protect sage grouse habitat from the onslaught of what is expected to be an active wildfire season. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell issued an order that directs use of the best science to protect sage-grouse sensitive lands from wildfire, which is among the top threats to the chicken-size bird. Kornze is accompanied by his deputy director Steve Ellis. The two are planning to meet with local leaders in both Utah and Nevada. Of the five Great Basin states, Utah, Idaho and Nevada are 99 percent impacted by severe drought...more