Carson gives BLM a deadline

Carson City has issued a deadline of noon today for the Bureau of Land Management to cancel an Aug. 6 sale of north Douglas County public land.

If the sale is not canceled, Carson supervisors warn they will seek a preliminary injunction in Washington, D.C., to stop it.

John Singlaub, a BLM field manager based in Carson City, said the "threat" will not be heeded.

The sale is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6 at the Douglas County Administration Building, 1616 Eighth St. in Minden.

At issue is the auction of 144 acres of north county real estate across from the Wal-Mart Supercenter. The opening bid set for the land between Jacks Valley and Carson City is $6.5 million.

The entire land sale in north Douglas County involves just over 350 acres, most of it zoned residential and recreation use only.

In December, a Carson City protest postponed the sale of 144 commercially zoned acres.

Carson officials fear the land will be developed into an auto mall and devastate the city's already-hurting economy. The city has a budget deficit of nearly $1 million. Supervisors estimated the lawsuit will likely cost more than $300,000.

Douglas commissioners were angry at the last meeting Thursday, when it was revealed Carson City was filing a lawsuit to stop the sale.

District Attorney Scott Doyle said he will file papers in court for Douglas County to intervene in the lawsuit filed by Carson City against the BLM.

He said it is important the county is included in such proceedings.

Proceeds from the sale are committed for use in Nevada, said Douglas County Manager Dan Holler, with a percentage going back to the state treasury.