Funding Report No. 1
by Steven T. Walther to the Regional Planning Governing Board


Steven T. Walther
3500 Lakeside Court, Suite 200
Reno, NV 89509
Telephone: (775) 827-2000
Facsimile: (775) 827-2185

E-mail: stwwklaw@aol.com

May 22, 2002



Hon. Geno Martini, Chair
Regional Planning Governing Board
Sparks City Council

Hon. Dave Aiazzi, Vice Chair
Regional Planning Governing Board
Reno City Council

Hon. Joanne Bond
Regional Planning Governing Board
Washoe County Board of County Commissioners

Hon. Mike Carrigan
Regional Planning Governing Board
Sparks City Council

Hon. Sherrie Doyle
Regional Planning Governing Board
Reno City Council

Hon. Jim Galloway
Regional Planning Governing Board
Washoe County Board of County Commissioners

Hon. Jeff Griffin
Regional Planning Governing Board
Mayor, City of Reno

Hon. Pierre Hascheff
Regional Planning Governing Board
Reno City Council

Hon. Ron Schmitt
Regional Planning Governing Board
Sparks City Council

Hon. Ted Short
Regional Planning Governing Board
Washoe County Board of County Commissioners


Re: Ballardini Ranch
— Funding Report No. 1

Dear Chair Martini and Members of the Regional Planning Governing Board
:

At the meeting of the Regional Planning Governing Board on May 9, 2002, I was asked to provide a periodic report, but in no less than one year from the date of the meeting, on the progress for funding for the acquisition of the 1,019 acre Ballardini Ranch. Because of recent events, I am pleased to provide the following report on that issue.

As you are aware, the voters approved a bond issue in the fall of 2000 of which $4 million was allocated for the acquisition of the Ballardini Ranch, and which is still available for that purpose.

In addition to the $4 million, a nomination was made to include the Ballardini Ranch for consideration for funding under the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act (SNPLMA). Under that Act, certain federal lands located in Clark County are made subject to sale by auction with the proceeds to be utilized for the acquisition of sensitive lands in Clark County and other counties in the state. After initial nominations are made, a sifting process takes place by the Executive Committee of the SNPLMA. The SNPLMA Executive Committee consists of the following individuals: Robert V. Abbey, State Director, Bureau of Land Management; William K. Dickinson, Superintendent, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, National Park Service; Jack G. Troyer, Regional Forester, U.S. Forest Service; and Daniel Walsworth, Refuge Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

On May 21, 2002, the Executive Committee determined to include the Ballardini Ranch as one of those properties nominated for acquisition for consideration by the Secretary of the Interior. Both Rounds 1 and 2 have been submitted, and each of the properties submitted by the Executive Committee under Rounds 1 and 2 have been approved by the Secretary of the Interior without objection.

It is my understanding that the Executive Committee did not engage in any ranking of properties, and that the Secretary of the Interior will perform the actual ranking. I am informed, however, that the Ballardini Ranch went forward with a "very positive recommendation."

If the Secretary of the Interior approves this funding, there will be essentially $19 million available for the acquisition of the Ballardini Ranch. This will allow for the commencement of meaningful negotiations with Evans Creek LLC, the Minnesota owner of the Ballardini Ranch. Evans Creek LLC acquired the Ballardini Ranch on May 11, 1998, for $8.5 million.

Throughout this process that has basically spanned nearly 25 years, many people are entitled to recognition for their hard work throughout that period of time. Among these include the Planning Boards and the City and County elected officials who have been supportive throughout this process. Not once has any Advisory Board or any entity comprised of publicly elected officials taken a step that would have a negative effect on the prospect of acquiring the Ballardini Ranch for public use.

The citizen effort throughout this period of time has been probably the most sustained and vigorous of any citizen effort in Washoe County. Thousands of people over the years have attended meetings, signed petitions, communicated with decision makers, and offered other kinds of support for the acquisition of the Ballardini Ranch. It has been a true citizen effort from day one.

As part of this process, our congressional and senatorial leaders have given support throughout this time. Senator Reid has been extremely supportive and diligent in this effort. He has expressed strong support for obtaining federal funding, including SNPLMA funding, and has been communicating with federal officials to assure obstacles which might otherwise exist be minimized to the maximum extent possible. Congressman Gibbons has spoken a number of times in strong support of acquiring the Ballardini Ranch and protecting the area along the foothills generally between McCarran and the Mount Rose Highway.

The Protect Our Washoe group, which is a group of citizens formed in the 1970's to protect the Truckee Meadows has, of course, been the backbone of this effort and a great deal of credit goes to Protect Our Washoe for those efforts over the years. That organization has educated, nurtured, and contributed funds, time, and effort to assure the process has worked.

While funding and other obstacles still remain in connection with the possible acquisition of the Ballardini Ranch, certainly the recommendation of the Executive Committee is a major step forward.

I am pleased to give this report and look forward to providing other reports, as needed, on this issue.


Sincerely,

Steven T. Walther








Protect Our Washoe Report to the Executive Committee
of the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act
May 16, 2002

The above provides a useful history in discussion of the issues.

 




 

Protect Our Washoe
P. O. Box 20397
Reno, NV 89515

You may send your contribution to help fund the fight to the above address. Thank you.

E-mail: info@protectourwashoe.org


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