Christmas tree cutting permits now available

The Bureau of Land Management Ely District is making Christmas tree cutting permits available to the public. Only pinion pine, juniper and white fir may be harvested. The cutting of all other trees is prohibited.

Permits can be purchased in-person at the BLM Ely District office. They may also be purchased by telephone or through the mail. Permits cost $4 each with a limit of five per purchaser.

Over the counter sales will be conducted at the district office through close of business, Wednesday, Dec. 24. The district office is located at 702 N. Industrial Way, in Ely. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tags will also be available at the Great Basin National Park Lehman Cave Visitor Center through Wednesday, Dec. 24. Visitor Center hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Mail-in requests will be accepted through 4:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5. All mail-in requests must include payment in the form of a check or money order payable to the Bureau of Land Management. Requests should be addressed to the BLM Ely District Office, HC 33 Box 33500, Ely, NV, 89301. Please allow one week for processing.

Christmas trees may be harvested on all BLM-administered public lands except those designated as wilderness or wilderness study areas. The Ely (District) Resource Management Plan also prohibits Christmas tree harvesting in the Blue Mass, Highland Range, Lower Meadow Valley Wash, Mount Irish, Shoshone Ponds and Swamp Cedar areas of critical environmental concern.

For more information or to purchase a permit, call the BLM Ely District Office at (775) 289-1800.