BLM seeks comments on drug enforcement

Friday, July 9, 2004 | 8:19 a.m.

The Bureau of Land Management, in an effort to provide uniform law enforcement rules for drug and alcohol violations on public lands statewide, has added 90 more days for the public to comment on the proposed rules.

Bob Abbey, director of the BLM in Nevada, said the intent is to maximize the available public safety resources involving local, state and federal officials. Instead of calling local police for every violation on BLM land, federal rangers could cite those breaking drug and alcohol laws, he said.

As Nevada's population continues to increase at a record pace, greater numbers of people picnic, hike and recreate on public lands, bringing greater problems with alcohol and drug abuse, Abbey said.

"The extension of the public comment period will allow more thorough discussions to occur with county law enforcement and elected officials on how we can better work together to enforce state laws on public lands," Abbey said.

The bureau is modeling its proposed supplemental rule on the rule in use by six rangers at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, BLM spokeswoman Kirsten Cannon said.

BLM rangers have handed out citations for traffic violations, weapons -- no guns are allowed below 5,000 feet in Red Rock -- illegal camping, minors possessing alcohol, driving under the influence, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

In 2002 rangers at Red Rock Canyon issued 120 citations, and last year they handed out 202 citations, Cannon said.

The proposed BLM rules also are similar to those already in effect for the National Park Service at Lake Mead and for the U.S. Forest Service.

Similar rules, allowing rangers to cite violators, are in effect in other Western states as well. Colorado and the BLM's California Desert District, which covers public lands in Southern California, have rules similar to those proposed for Nevada's public lands.

A 60-day comment period began April 3, BLM spokeswoman Jo Simpson said.

The new comment period will end after a notice appears in the Federal Register, Simpson said. Publication is expected in the next few days.

No decision on the proposed rules is expected before late fall.

Comments on the rules may be sent to Erika Schumacher, BLM Nevada State Office, P.O. Box 12000, Reno, NV 89520-0006.