Resolutions
Between April and July of 2016, Washoe County, the City of Reno and City of Sparks approved letters of resolution to support the creation of a lands bill to address population growth occurring in Washoe County. Since that time, much work has been done to create a proposal for federal legislation to help our region with growth and establishing permanent conservation lands in Washoe County.
The three entities have been working regionally to create a new proposal based on much of the feedback and concerns voiced by residents and stakeholders in the previous process. These efforts are still in progress and it is important that feedback and input continue – the email below is an opportunity to provide input in this important process. The Nevada model, created by the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act (SNPLMA), allowed for federal lands to be recommended for development, created permanent land conservation and helped to fund additional land preservation and conservation projects statewide. The goals of the Truckee Meadows Public Lands Management Act is to:
- Address housing demand and affordability
- Encourage infill development; maximize utilization of existing infrastructure
- Fund continued preservation of open space; enhance quality of life
- Support trail and park infrastructure enhancements (i.e. Truckee River Linear Park)
- Assist with Public Land Management; improve access to recreation and resources for land management
- Creation of new additional Wilderness Areas in northern Washoe County
- Improve local infrastructure to address growth (transit, water storage, flood management)
- Align with the Regional Plan Update
- Ensure disposal parcels follow existing local and federal regulations and development standards
All lands that are eligible for sale shall be nominated and have to have a complete review by the Federal agency who holds the land to determine if sale and development of the land is appropriate. The land will be auctioned and not sold for less than fair market value. The development of the land will follow all current requirements including review by the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency as well as the jurisdiction that the land is being developed in.
Benefits to the Truckee Meadows
Eighty-three percent (83%) of Washoe County is owned by the Federal Government. There are “checker board” lands within the current region that are federally held and therefore unable to be developed. This Public Lands Management Act gives the local governments a say in where land is sold and developed to ensure it is sustainable and supportable growth. This will allow for those federally owned land to be sold and developed to support better infill and closer proximity to current infrastructure. Revenue for the sale of these federal lands will be split between the State of Nevada General Education Fund (5%), local governments (10%), and a special account available to the Secretary of the Treasury (85%). This means that the proceeds from the sale of land in Washoe County will stay in Washoe County to benefit the residents here rather than those funds going back to Washington. The special account can be used for things such as:
- Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas
- Hazardous Fuels Reduction and Wildfire Prevention
- Conservation Initiatives i.e. Truckee River Corridor and Peavine Mountain
- Sage Grouse Habitat Restoration
- Acquisition of Environmentally Sensitive Lands
This proposal will authorize conveyance of other lands identified by the legislation to the following bodies;
- Washoe County
- City of Reno/ Reno City Land Trust
- City of Sparks
- Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District
- Washoe County School District
- Regional Transportation Commission
- Truckee Meadows Water Authority
- Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility
- Truckee River Flood Management Authority
- Nevada Department of Wildlife
If all the parcels within the disposal boundary that are not restricted were to be sold it would account for less than 2% of the federal land holdings in Washoe County. Meaning that the current 83% federal land would decrease to approximately 81% of the land in Washoe County being federal owned.
