County officials outraged over easement choices

by Susie Vasquez

Staff Writer

County officials feel duped by a Bureau of Land Management decision to fund conservation easements in Washoe County with money they feel was meant for Douglas County, and they're ready to fight back.

"Considering the fraud perpetrated on Douglas County, it's very important everyone receive a nasty letter," said commissioner Kelly Kite.

Preliminary recommendations for these round 7 easements include 473 acres in Washoe County at a cost of almost $49 million.

The 450-acre Mack Ranch, 119-acre Knox Johnson Ranch and 370-acre Ranch 1 conservation easements in Carson Valley were passed over.

Terra Firma spokesman Jacques Etchegoyhen was a member of the board of commissioners when the North Specific Plan amendment, an agreement between Douglas County and the Bureau, was signed in 2001.

"I feel defrauded and hoodwinked," he said. "But mostly, I feel guiltly."

Commissioners should consider an injunction to stop the expenditure on Washoe County projects, Etchegoyhen said.

"The Feds are not immune from pressure," he told the Board of Commissioners last week. "I think you should consider legal action. If the Bureau ran roughshod over this, they should be held accountable."

Douglas County commissioner Jim Baushke said conservation easements along the Carson River corridor are critical, providing open land that alleviates flooding issues by allowing the river to meander naturally.

Ranchers seeking easements to protect their lands will bear the brunt of this Bureau decision if the funding of these Washoe County easements stand.

This funding source is critical in Douglas County, due in part to the fact that a ballot question to provide funding for these easements was turned down by voters here. The BLM owes Douglas County residents a good explanation, Baushke said.

"We've had a good relationship with the BLM for years, but I don't think people here will be as cooperative as they have been," he said. "The BLM made a lot of people angry and they could have a tough time when they need our help.

"People around here don't forget too quickly," he said.

Signed into law by Congress in 2000, the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act provides revenues from the sale of public land nationwide. Ninety-six percent of the funding generated from these land sales or exchanges is deposited into this account.

According to the Douglas County plan, lands in Douglas County were designated for sale. The proceeds were deposited in a separate account, to be used by either the Secretary of Interior or Agriculture for acquisition of environmentally sensitive lands and/or conservation easements.

According to the agreement, implementation of the final plan is expected to result in the following:

1) Disposal of 440 acres of BLM public lands in the North Douglas County specific Plan Area,

2) BLM acquisition of conservation easements from willing sellers on agricultural lands within the Carson Valley.

3) BLM acquisition of environmentally sensitive lands in Douglas County from willing sellers.

Etchegoyhen said it was appalling that these multi-billion-dollar federal programs are accountable to no one.

"We should never put our future in their hands again," he said. "I beg of you, do not leave the future of open space in the hands of a federal bureaucrat who will never consider the conservation easements on private land a priority."

Bureau spokesman Mark Struble said several people have contacted him to find out how they can provide input.

The Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act executive committee will meet following the comment period to review comments received and develop a final recommendation for consideration by the Secretary of the Interior in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, according to information on the Bureau Web site.

Susie Vasquez can be reached at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.

BREAKOUT

People wanting to join in the county in this fight can submit letters to the Bureau of Land Management until 4:30 p.m. Jan 22.

Comments can be mailed to the SNPLMA Division, BLM Las Vegas Field Office, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Dr., Las Vegas NV 89130, or faxed to the attention of the SNPLMA Division at (702) 515-5010.

For more information, access their Web site at http://www.nv.blm.gov/snplma/current_round/public_comments.htm