Carson City's proposed federal lands bill continues through panels now until January - when the Board of Supervisors will start looking at it.
More than 40 different sites around the city are being considered for new management methods or land swaps, and the lands bill will spell out these changes.
Its complexity and possible costs are why the proposal is being given more time and work, said Juan Guzman, the city's open space manager.
Tonight is the next stop for the proposal, where the members of the Advisory Board to Manage Wildlife will discuss it. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Sierra Room of the Community Center, 851 E. William St. Residents can speak at this meeting and have their opinions recorded.
"It is important to receive as much testimony from the public as possible to make sure we're doing things the public is in agreement with," he said.
A fourth public information meeting has been added to the schedule and will begin at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 15. It's the first major presentation to residents that highlights costs and current priorities.
Some proposed changes would result in new uses for federal land. Others would provide the city with authority on how certain sites are managed, but would also add responsibilities and costs. Many of the sites are controlled by the federal government now and the city is seeking to take control for recreation uses or preservation.
Large chunks on the west side could be released from local control and given to the U.S. Forest Service. Rising costs to make them less vulnerable to wildfires has been the reason cited by some city officials. Others would prefer the city retain control. The state also has been eyeing some sections of the nearly 2,700 acres for park use.
Proposals for local control of Silver Saddle Ranch, Prison Hill and a site near Sedge and Deer Run roads to create a multiuse target range have been discussed at length. Whether to seek ownership of the sites now occupied by the Edmonds Sports Complex and Centennial Park, and whether to obtain a 39-acre site west of Goni Road and Arrowhead Drive for a future community park, also are being considered.
The concept to seek control of the 3,250-acre Prison Hill Recreation Area sprang from the proposal for the city to take over the 868-acre Silver Saddle Ranch property now managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The two sites are next to each other.
Supervisors now will hold a special meeting evening meeting that focuses on the lands bill at 6 p.m. Jan. 4, and are expected to vote on contents of the bill Jan. 18.
Federal legislators have the final say about whether all, part or any suggestions that end up on a land bill can occur. Their decision could take a couple of years, according to Guzman.
• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.
If you go
• Advisory Board to Manage Wildlife
WHEN: 6 p.m. today
WHERE: Capitol Conference Room, City Hall, 201 N. Carson St. Enter from Musser Street
• Public information meeting
WHEN: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday
WHERE: Community Center Lobby , 851 E. William St.
• Open Space Advisory Committee
WHEN: 6 p.m. Nov. 20
WHERE: Sierra Room, Community Center, 851 E. William St.
• Parks and Recreation Commission
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5
WHERE: Sierra Room, Community Center
• Carson River Advisory Committee
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6
WHERE: Sierra Room, Community Center
• Planning Commission
WHEN: 3:30 p.m.Dec. 20
WHERE: Sierra Room, Community Center
• Board of Supervisors
Discussion only.
WHEN: 6 p.m., Jan. 4, 2007
WHERE: Sierra Room, Community Center
• Board of Supervisors
Action to approve Federal Lands Bill Map
WHEN: 8:30 a.m., Jan. 18, 2007
WHERE: Sierra Room, Community Center