Conservationists and public lands advocates are demanding state and federal agencies pause the public comment process for some critical projects while the COVID-19 pandemic emergency is ongoing.

So far, the agencies have continued with the comment periods, which impact state public lands and pollution control projects. Advocates say that short-circuits the public's right to participate in major decisions.

“The public is in no position to comment now, we are in a complete catastrophic emergency,” said Patrick Donnelly, Nevada Director of the Center for Biological Diversity.

"They are concerned for their lives right now, they are concerned for their jobs," he said.

Coronavirus update:Gov. Sisolak says 'People are dying' as he orders the shutdown of Nevada

Donnelly said meaningful public comment on projects is important on multiple levels.

In most cases public comment periods are a legal requirement. Also, public review can lead to substantial policy changes.

Donnelly cited a 2017 proposal to offer oil and gas leases in Nevada’s remote and scenic Ruby Mountains.

The proposal, which included areas near popular destinations such as Lamoille Canyon and Harrison Pass, generated thousands of letters of opposition during the public comment period.

Once the comment period closed the proposal was not only rejected, lawmakers from both major parties supported a legislative effort to better protect the range.

“There is a great example of the people expressing their desires and the government responding,” Donnelly said.

Donnelly wasn’t the only one urging state and federal officials to suspend projects until the public can resume participation.

The Center for Western Priorities, a conservation advocacy group, and the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, which is made up of retired National Park Service workers and volunteers, also called for a hold on projects such as oil and gas lease sales and new policy proposals.

“There are huge implications and consequences surrounding proposed policy changes and lease sales,” representatives of the Coalition wrote. “These actions should be given full and deliberate consideration, not rushed through at a time when we should be focused on the health and safety of the American people.”

Donnelly pointed to ongoing state and federal projects that have environmental ramifications for Nevada.

On the federal side, he identified a proposal that would streamline the process for pinyon-juniper removal.

It’s opposed by some in the environmental community and native people.

The proposal would exempt removal projects less than 10,000 acres from some environmental review.

Donnelly said native people in remote locations are less likely to be able to participate in public processes via the internet.

And with health officials urging people to avoid interactions, some may not be able to participate at all.

Donnelly is also concerned about a supplemental environmental impact statement for a sage grouse management plan that includes six western states with Nevada in the center.

At the state level, Donnelly pointed out that the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection on Tuesday released for public comment pollution control permits for three Nevada mines.

Water pollution control permits, he said, are an important stop in the bureaucratic process where the public has the greatest chance to speak out.

He pointed to a passage in the Nevada Administrative Code that requires regulators to offer the public a “reasonable opportunity to submit” comments on proposals.

“It is not like public comment is optional,” he said of the ongoing public processes.

Conner Swanson, deputy press secretary for the Office of Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, said Interior officials are evaluating comment periods on a "case-by-case basis," and "adjustments are being made to ensure we are allowing for proper public input, while protecting the health and safety of the public and our employees."

Samantha Thompson, a spokesperson for the Nevada Division of Conservation and Natural Resources, said division officials are also aware of the concern and would respond as soon as possible.

Benjamin Spillman covers the outdoors and environment in Northern Nevada, from backcountry skiing in the Sierra to the latest from Lake Tahoe's ecosystem. Support his work by subscribing to RGJ.com right here.