RENO, Nev. (AP) — Conservationists are crying foul over federal land managers' initial conclusion they have no environmental concerns about an off-road race planned next month across 650 miles of Nevada desert and through part of a new national monument.
Public Employees for Environmental Ethics are accusing the Bureau of Land Management of intentionally delaying the release of a formal assessment of the race until last week to prevent legal challenges.
BLM issued its environmental assessment July 1 for the Best in the Desert Vegas to Reno Race, including 37 miles on dirt roads inside the Basin and Range National Monument.
It's subject to 30 days of public comment. The agency then has until Aug. 14 to respond to comments and formally decide whether to grant a permit five days before the race is to begin Aug. 19 about 100 miles northeast of Las Vegas.
