Forest Service pursuing purchase of Carson Range property

Four parcels along Genoa Peak Road in the Carson Range above the Sierra Nevada Golf Ranch are up for acquisition by the U.S. Forest Service for $2.7 million under the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act.

Amounting to 520 acres surrounded by public land, the purchase is designed to “protect sensitive species such as Goshawk and flammulated owls, preserve historic resources, consolidate National Forest System lands, protect riparian and wetland areas, and expand recreational access to public lands.”

According to information at the Act's web site there was originally an additional 20 acres and a cabin.

“The owner has requested to retain the cabin and 20 acres surrounding the cabin,” according to snplma.blm.gov. “This will not affect the purpose of acquiring the 500-plus acre property. The cabin is of no historical value, the 20 acres of land surrounding the cabin are of no unique qualities compared to the lands being acquired, and reduction of the parcel size is minimal.”

The purchase was approved March 16, 2023, as part of Round 19 of the program, but wasn’t processed by the Forest Service until the last quarter of the fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30. By that time there weren’t any funds available.

On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland signed off on Round 20 projects, including the 19-acre Thomas Creek Canyon Ranch near the Mount Rose Highway for $335,045.

That’s just a fraction of this round’s $375.2 million raised from the sale of public land in the Las Vegas Valley. This year includes $50 million in reserves to deal with shortfalls between estimated and approved projects or circumstances that require immediate action.

The last round included $7.7 million for fuels reduction and forest health treatment at Lake Tahoe, which is currently underway.