Douglas planners starting workshops to protect farmland

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MINDEN, Nev. - Douglas County planners are moving ahead with a series of public workshops to explore ways to protect farmland in the booming Carson Valley, Nevada's "garden spot."

The planning commissioners' decision followed lengthy debate over the their role and whether they got enough direction from their parent Douglas County Commission.

Others complained Tuesday that little has occurred since last month when the planning panel agreed to focus on open space preservation in the scenic, fertile valley, just east and downhill from Lake Tahoe.

"I do recall our intent was to move with expediency. We're no further along," said planning board member Jay Lather, a golf course developer. "We're not even sure what the planning commission's role will be at this point."

Efforts to preserve farmland have increased in recent months. A grassroots group, the Open Space and Agricultural Lands Protection panel, pushed the idea during public meetings in May and June.

One option being explored by the federal government, the "Lincoln-Douglas exchange," involves sale of federal land in Lincoln County to buy agricultural easements protecting Douglas County farmland from development.

The Bureau of Land Management is considering a similar program involving sale of federal land in the Carson Valley that's suitable for development. Proceeds would be used to buy development rights of farmland.

Legislation approved last year would allow Nevada counties to buy development rights of farmland through increases in sales tax, taxes on sale of real estate or property tax. But in tax-wary Douglas County, officials want to be sure they have the support of voters first before putting anything on the ballot.

Planning commissioners must now organize additional meetings to gauge the public's will and arrange a survey as part of the county's review of its master plan. The grassroots group and planning commission will be working on a parallel course in coming weeks, said Dave Bolick, director of the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce and member of the open space group.

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