Eureka County discusses land transfer

In discussing the Nevada Land Management Task Force report at the latest county commission meeting, regarding the transfer of public lands to the State of Nevada, Natural Resource Manager Jake Tibbitts related that the Task Force’s final report is 99 percent completed and is going to the Interim Committee on Public Lands.

Commission Chairman J.J. Goicoechea said, “Most everybody realizes this is a good step for Eureka County.” 

While Humboldt County has voiced concerns about cost and questions whether they can really manage the lands, Goicoechea said with projects such as American Vanadium moving forward, Eureka County needs more land on the north end of the county near the rail line and is interested in land near Palisade.

Nevada’s Enabling Act of 1864 doesn’t say title must be given but it does say lands should be disposed of and that of land sold 5 percent of the monies are to go to the state and that it is the obligation of Congress to dispose of lands to the state.

Phase 1 of the land transfers would involve things such as checkerboard lands, and lands already identified for disposal and solar energy zones and land identified for single use. Phase 2 would be all the rest. Chairman Goicoechea noted getting Phase 1 lands would “be a victory for the state and county.”

Goicoechea said Clark County “stands to gain.” Eureka County has included requests for a portion of Hwy. 50 and land identified for disposal in Diamond Valley which includes Highway 50 land.

Goicoechea said, “Not all of these will be disposed of.” Goicoechea foresees checkerboard lands down by Beowawe, Crescent Valley and Dunphy marked for disposal being released during Phase 1.

The Commission voted to once again show support of the Nevada Land Management Task Force report.