After years of planning and preparation, the Bureau of Land Management has unexpectedly pulled the reins on its Lost Ox trail system project.

BLM Ely Field Manager John Ruhs informed White Pine County Commissioners Wednesday that he was rescinding the agency's February 2006 Record of Decision on the controversial Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) project. The 186-mile trail system would have been situated in the South Egan Range near Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park, an area that has been noted for its wildlife and de facto wilderness qualities.

In a statement that seemed to catch some audience members off guard, Ruhs told commissioners that the process leading up to the agency's decision was flawed. He pledged that the BLM would begin work on a new OHV trail project from scratch.

He asked the commission to support the creation of a new working group which will help the agency determine the size and scope of a new project. As envisioned by Ruhs, the group would include a diverse bunch of stakeholders, including representatives from the county, OHV community, local ranching industry and Nevada Department of Wildlife.

Chairman Brent Eldridge said the commission welcomed the opportunity to participate in the process.

But Eldridge also emphasized that the decision-making process needs to be open and inclusive.

Ultimately, the agency needs to find an OHV route that is not damaging to the county's resources, he said.

Commissioner Gary Lane said he believed OHV trail enforcement would continue to pose a problem.

“Is there going to be a point where you say this isn't going to work?” Lane asked.

“I think that's what this group can tell us,” Ruhs said.

Lost Ox opponent Jerilyn Clayton praised Ruhs for his decision, and called for greater community input on the project.

“We are just so adamant that a broad-based group that represents this community be included on that committee,” Clayton said.

In its actions Wednesday, the commission voted to:

-- Approve the tentative budget for the 2007-2008 fiscal year;

-- Approve the second reading and final passage of an ordinance that increases the county's sales tax by one quarter of one percent. Revenues from the increase will be dedicated to an infrastructure fund for projects related to streets and highways as well as public safety and judicial facilities;

-- Prioritize applications for the latest round of Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA) funding. Eight minor projects, including improvements to parks in McGill and Preston, were grouped together as the county's top priority. Other projects include a regional recreation center, improvements to facilities at Camp Success and a walking trail adjacent to the railway in Ely;

-- Send a letter to the BLM requesting that the county be named a cooperating agency regarding Sierra Pacific Resources' Ely Energy Center project;

-- Send a letter in support of the U.S. Forest Service's SNPLMA funding proposals. The agency's top proposals include environmental restoration projects for Ward Mountain and the White Pine Range;

-- Approve an interlocal contract between the county and the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services for a public health nurse;

-- Proceed forward with the process to sell county-owned property in McGill, contingent upon the approval of the Nevada Department of Taxation. The triangle-shaped property is located at the intersection of First Street and Avenue K;

-- Appoint Russ Peacock as the county's contact person for the National Incident Management System.