Dec. 11, 2012 — An environmental assessment (EA) analyzing the effects of emergency stabilization and rehabilitation projects on public lands burned by last summer’s Rush Fire has been released for public review and comment.

The document is available online at blm.gov/ca/eaglelake. Click the environmental assessment link under the Rush Fire ESR Environmental Assessment heading.   Printed or computer CD copies are available by contacting the Bureau of Land Management Eagle Lake Field Office in Susanville at (530) 257-0456.

Written comments should be sent to:  Bureau of Land Management, 2950 Riverside Dr., Susanville, CA 96130, or by email to BLM_CA_Eagle_Lake_FO_Email@blm.gov.

Commenters should use “ESR” in the subject line of their emails. The BLM will accept public comments until Tuesday, Dec. 18.

The EA describes projects including seeding, stream stabilization, livestock grazing closures, wildlife habitat restoration and reduction of wild horse populations.

The projects are designed to protect burned areas from erosion and other impacts, allowing plants and newly seeded areas to recover from the burn.

The Rush Fire, ignited by lightning in mid-August, burned more than 315,000 acres, mostly public lands, northeast of Susanville along the California-Nevada border.  Portions of nine livestock grazing allotments, important wildlife habitat and parts of the Twin Peaks and Buckhorn wild horse and burro herd management areas were burned.