67°F
weather icon Windy

Goicoechea plans to introduce public lands transfer bill

State Sen. Pete Goicoechea, R-Eureka, said he was stunned the chairman of the Nevada interim committee on public lands wouldn’t hold a discussion on a report by a panel commissioned to research the transfer of public lands from the federal government to the state of Nevada, during a work session late last month.

Goicoechea said the interim committee accepted the report, but wouldn’t pass a resolution of support. He plans to introduce a resolution himself asking Congress to introduce a bill to transfer some federal lands, during the regular session of the Nevada Legislature that convenes in February.

Assembly Bill 227 passed in the 2013 session set up a panel that was to prepare a report for the 2015 Legislature, consisting of one representative from each of Nevada’s 17 counties, to research the transfer of some of the 87.6 percent of the state that’s under federal ownership.

The task force held 10 meetings at locations around the state.

The final report, issued Aug. 1, suggested excluding lands administered by the Department of Energy, Department of Defense, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service.

Lands identified by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management as suitable for disposal, those under BLM recreation and public purpose leases, those authorized under rights-of-way, solar energy zones, lands leased for geothermal exploration and lands authorized for disposal in federal legislation would be the first priority for transfer to the state.

Other BLM lands and, forest service lands should be considered in subsequent phases, along with land deemed to be surplus by the Bureau of Reclamation.

The report noted the BLM alone manages 47.8 million acres in Nevada. The report said the state could derive revenues of $7.78 to $28.59 per acre, which assuming 7.2 million acres were transferred in phase I, could translate into net revenues between $56 million and $205 million annually.

Goicoechea, who is a rancher in Central Nevada, said though the chairman of the interim public lands committee of the Legislature, Assemblyman Paul Aizley, D-Las Vegas, took the resolution urging Congress to enact legislation off the table for discussion during the work session Aug. 28, that doesn’t mean the task force proposal is dead.

“I don’t mind saying I was caught completely flat-footed. I didn’t anticipate that in any shape or form. Nobody really knows who brought what pressure on who because the committee definitely supported the resolution. There was a big argument in the committee hearing that we had the votes to force it and it even came down to legal counsel saying in the regular session if you have two-thirds of the committee in favor of a bill you can force the chairman to consider it,” Goicoechea said.

“I put in a bill draft request with the same language, same resolution and I’ll bring it through the session. I would’ve preferred it would’ve been a committee, a committee introduction out of a standing committee, instead of from a legislator,” he said.

Aizley used his authority as chairman of the interim committee and said he wouldn’t take the measure up for discussion, saying the state wasn’t ready for such legislation.

“I have thanked the committee for the work they have done — they have raised many, many issues — but I don’t see the solutions to go along with it,” Aizley said.

Among those issues were the transfer of federal employees to the state and the cost of fire suppression, which Aizley said cost the federal government $57 million in 2013.

“We don’t have $57 million to do that,” he said. “Those are two that are fairly persuasive to me.”

Goicoechea said the transfer only involves about 10 percent of the federal lands and would require a maximum of $5 million in fire suppression costs.

State Capitol Bureau reporter Sean Whaley contributed to this report.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Pahrump homeschoolers dance the night away

Pahrump Valley’s homeschool youth were whisked away into the Enchanted Forest this month, with local Moose Lodge #808 hosting a night of dancing and revelry in honor of an age-old adolescent right-of-passage, prom.

Looking for some family fun for Easter? Hop over to Simkins Park

Anyone looking for a fun, family-friendly festivity to enjoy this holiday can hop on over to Simkins Park to join the Mills family as they celebrate Easter Sunday with worship music, free food and an enormous 14,000-egg hunt that is sure to bring a smile to hundreds of faces.

Campground fees to increase at Death Valley National Park

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. — Visitors to Death Valley National Park can expect a slight increase in entrance fees for various campgrounds beginning on May 1.

Clerk staffer Cori Freidhof appointed interim leader

Nye County Clerk Mark Kampf’s time in office officially comes to a close on March 31 and deputy clerk Cori Freidhof has now been selected to assume that vacated seat. Freidhof will take over the office as of Monday, April 1 and fulfill the unexpired term ending Jan. 1, 2027.

Gaming can have impact on us

When does gaming cross the line from recreational relaxation to problematic behavior? How do video games and gambling relate? What resources are available for those who find themselves struggling to control their relationship with video games and gambling?

County eyeing impact fee increases

The cost to develop in Pahrump could go up, with a public hearing on a proposal to raise local impact fees set for next month.

Here’s who filed as political candidates in Nye County

Locals have filed their political candidacy as of March 15 and this year two major offices in Nye County will be up for grabs in the general election. Nye County residents have to first narrow down their preferred party candidate on June 11 in the primary and then vote in November to support their preferred candidates.

Second Source donation for Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Nye County Sleep in Heavenly Peace is now better off thanks to a second donation from The Source dispensary’s Round Up program.

Beatty riled by sheriff’s substation closure

Lone staffer will be relocated to Pahrump to help with workload there; be onsite in Beatty just once a month.