Interim BLM Nevada director Ruhs will take post permanently

The interim Nevada director of the federal Bureau of Land Management is taking on the job permanently.

National BLM Director Neil Kornze announced Wednesday that he’d appointed John Ruhs to the post. Ruhs will be based in Reno.

Nevada’s two senators praised him for his work. Republican Sen. Dean Heller said Ruhs has helped resolve a variety of long-standing disputes in Nevada during his short time as interim director.

Dean Heller said he and Ruhs may not agree on every issue but he described him as “a hardworking and honest broker who has resolved a variety of long-standing disputes in Nevada during his short time as interim state director.

Reid said Ruhs has done terrific work for the agency in the past.

“John Ruhs has deep Nevada roots and great respect for the Silver State,” said Harry Reid. “He has done terrific work with the BLM in positions throughout the country and I know he will continue to do a great job for Nevada.”

The BLM manages vast swaths of land in Nevada and has been at the center of disputes over wild horse roundups, grazing rights and sage grouse.

Ruhs is an Iowa native who’s worked for the BLM in a variety of Western states and Washington, D.C.