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Kim Lamb/LVN photo Churchill County approved an agreement with the U.S. Navy last week to acquire development rights and easements of property near NAS Fallon to prevent encroachment upon the base.
An agreement between Churchill County and the U.S. Navy to encourage the transfer of development rights from property near NAS was approved by Churchill County Commissioners Feb. 2.
The approval sets up a funding mechanism in which the county and Navy can pursue the transfer of development rights and easement purchase agreements in an effort to prevent encroachment near the naval base.
Through a process of transferring development rights, the county intends to create a market for development rights to be purchased by developers and used in other areas.
The Navy's primary focus will be lands within and near the NAS Fallon Air Installations Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ), according to county documents.
The area of property interest consists of 24,000 acres surrounding the base, according to county documents.
The approval sets up a funding mechanism in which the county and Navy can pursue the transfer of development rights and easement purchase agreements in an effort to prevent encroachment near the naval base.
Through a process of transferring development rights, the county intends to create a market for development rights to be purchased by developers and used in other areas.
The Navy's primary focus will be lands within and near the NAS Fallon Air Installations Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ), according to county documents.
The area of property interest consists of 24,000 acres surrounding the base, according to county documents.
County Manager Brad Goetsch described the agreement as a 50-50 relationship where the costs of land appraisal and prioritization will be shared between the county and Navy.
He said the agreement is the culmination of 10 years of work by county and Navy officials to curb encroachment upon NAS Fallon and protect agricultural and irrigated resources in the county.
Churchill County is currently developing a transfer of development rights process that would apply to all lands within the county.
Commissioners expressed support for the initiative and to limit development near NAS Fallon.
"I am an ardent supporter of protecting the base from encroachment," Commissioner Lynn Pearce said.
He said the agreement is the culmination of 10 years of work by county and Navy officials to curb encroachment upon NAS Fallon and protect agricultural and irrigated resources in the county.
Churchill County is currently developing a transfer of development rights process that would apply to all lands within the county.
Commissioners expressed support for the initiative and to limit development near NAS Fallon.
"I am an ardent supporter of protecting the base from encroachment," Commissioner Lynn Pearce said.
He questioned the potential liability to the county if no one wanted to buy development rights.
Goetsch said there's no inherent obligation for the county to raise money for the arrangement, but it would just lead to no purchases of development rights.
A few developers have already expressed interest in the arrangement, he said.
The county may have the "prime the pump" and contribute some money in the initial development transfers to encourage the market, Goetsch said. Additional funds could be obtained from grants or government funding sources such as Nevada's Question 1 funds, a voter-approved measure to protect natural resources via conservation easements and other options, he said.
The agreement and subsequent protection of lands from development could potentially lead to a future expansion of the base, said Goetsch, himself a former commanding officer of NAS Fallon.
Goetsch said there's no inherent obligation for the county to raise money for the arrangement, but it would just lead to no purchases of development rights.
A few developers have already expressed interest in the arrangement, he said.
The county may have the "prime the pump" and contribute some money in the initial development transfers to encourage the market, Goetsch said. Additional funds could be obtained from grants or government funding sources such as Nevada's Question 1 funds, a voter-approved measure to protect natural resources via conservation easements and other options, he said.
The agreement and subsequent protection of lands from development could potentially lead to a future expansion of the base, said Goetsch, himself a former commanding officer of NAS Fallon.
Ed Rybold, a former executive officer of NAS Fallon who helped facilitate discussions on the agreement, said funding for the process is available through federal legislation designed to address encroachment issues upon military bases. It allows bases to partner with local agencies in efforts to prevent encroachment.
Nellis Air Force Base is a good example of encroaching growth affecting military capabilities, he said. Nearby development has affected levels of permitted noise and flight patterns, he said.
"These are the kind of things we don't want to happen in Fallon," Rybold said.
He said he wouldn't speculate if the agreement would lead to the expansion of NAS Fallon.
Josh Johnson can be contacted at jjohnson@lahontanvalleynews.com
Nellis Air Force Base is a good example of encroaching growth affecting military capabilities, he said. Nearby development has affected levels of permitted noise and flight patterns, he said.
"These are the kind of things we don't want to happen in Fallon," Rybold said.
He said he wouldn't speculate if the agreement would lead to the expansion of NAS Fallon.
Josh Johnson can be contacted at jjohnson@lahontanvalleynews.com
