Mining gates may block county roads

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Thursday, Oct. 5, 2000 | 4:56 a.m.

The mining company that leases the I L Ranch says it's private property. And it has put up locked gates and no trespassing signs, barring access to national forest lands.

An official at Western Exploration in Reno said the seven padlocked roads are on private property and will stay closed to protect livestock from shooters and the roads from being torn up by all-terrain vehicles.

Historically, hunters were allowed to use the roads, provided they first called a posted number to ask permission.

The 80,000-acre I L Ranch straddles three rural Nevada counties. The road closures block access to national forest lands in the Bull Run Mountains and North Independence Range.

Forest Service officials are negotiating with the mining company to try to regain public access.