[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6278038,"mediaKeyId","2643127-92c9096c4d099b0038f039dfed73611d","parentId",2643127,"title","Votes at a glance: Lander County commissioners approve multiple land, contract and administrative items","audioSeconds",5008,"startMs",792000,"endMs",5800000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2643127-92c9096c4d099b0038f039dfed73611d&start=792&end=5800","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2643127-92c9096c4d099b0038f039dfed73611d/thumbnail_792000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6278038/Lander-County/Nevada/Votes-at-a-glance-Lander-County-commissioners-approve-multiple-land-contract-and-administrative-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278038-42bc4b4a576c6e97bb3610d9279f10c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770703963&Signature=J9h32OLepdYh4TSiBblBYM6IJNxrSALUzwSAdJBg1H2I9B3r11IZCx~Q78OIUY1hM-ZFMBBktgiJWLpUqBSPjnx5ppsIQ6K1327FsvEwz~RiVG1sCJX4jbxhb-P48CWqgkY3JUVgcpVkJZwd6BlyvN-RisSCBzH1xK4AjUrhuqUw9u-9Nb~OBOWobQuhTWCXQ2G4bzST~wv97StRcrQ~z5tkFZ47~5B4VJZOwgBkJcCzgrv-5-M8V0KA61IRS~KWBivxP5uzB3qwvFcsXodmrYFm1zjS5phcAcv1XLKlVssBHu6Hxq5~ZjfgbyBosUK1qfUVtw5fjfY2FCuO9-Zd4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lander County, NV","date","2025-03-15T04:36:24.073Z","article","The Lander County Board of Commissioners recorded several formal actions on March 13, 2025. Below are the outcomes, with key conditions or follow-up requirements where noted.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: Commissioners approved agenda items 1 and 2 and payroll changes (consent items 1, 2 and 4). Citizens may obtain clerk records for details. (Motion and second recorded; vote: aye.)

- Ordinance 2025-01 (tobacco/vape/alternative nicotine products): Adopted as amended (see separate article). (Motion and second recorded; vote: aye.)

- Zone change (Kingston parcels): Approved change from R-1-B to R-1 single-family residential for parcels in Kingston to bring them into conformance with county zoning. The planning commission had recommended approval on Feb. 19. (Motion and second recorded; vote: aye.)

- Parcel maps (Emerald Land Company): The board approved three parcel maps creating multiple residential parcels from larger agricultural parcels (parcel map numbers 25-0003, 205-004 and 25-0005 as listed on the agenda). Each approval carried conditions from the planning commission: recordation within one year, installation or agreement on fire hydrants and appropriate water lines, road improvements on Emerald Court/Lane to county standards, required street lighting (every 750 feet where specified), and the option to negotiate a development agreement if on-site improvements are infeasible. The development agreement terms must be approved by the board before recordation of maps.

- Contract with Resource Concepts, Inc. (RCI): Approved a two-phase update to the county public lands policy for federally-administered lands (RCI proposal dated 03/07/2025). The contract was approved for two phases not to exceed $25,000 per phase ($50,000 total). (Motion and second recorded; vote: aye.)

- Austin Community Center funding: Commissioners directed the county manager to proceed with county-funded construction of the Austin Community Center rather than delay for SHPO/grant mitigation processes (see separate article). (Motion and second recorded; vote: aye.)

- Ordinance (vehicle/abandoned-vehicle code): Commissioners advanced a revised Chapter 12 ordinance draft (parking/abandoned vehicle rules) with amendments to expand countywide coverage (not just Battle Mountain), to add motor homes to the definition of major recreational equipment and to standardize a 72-hour limit for certain vehicles and recreational equipment on the street; the commission set a public hearing for April 10, 2025 at 9:10 a.m. to take public testimony on the ordinance language as amended. (Motion and second recorded; vote: aye.)

- Appointment: Tom Kukowski was appointed to General Improvement District No. 1, Board seat B, for the remainder of the term through Dec. 31, 2026. (Motion and second recorded; vote: aye.)

- Auditor contract renewal: The board approved a renewal of auditing services with Hinton Burdick CPAs & Advisors for fiscal years 2025–26. (Motion and second recorded; vote: aye.)

- Payment approvals: The board approved payment of routine bills, with several checks pulled for separate votes; the record indicates individual abstentions where board members had potential conflicts (those abstentions were noted during roll calls and in the county minutes). Details on specific checks and abstentions are available in the meeting minutes.

Notes and follow-up

- Parcel map approvals are conditional on completing infrastructure work or executing a development agreement laying out responsibilities and timelines; development agreements will return to the board for final approval.

- The vehicle/abandoned-vehicle ordinance will return at a public hearing April 10 after staff incorporate the commission’s directive (72-hour standard, inclusions of motor homes and countywide scope).

- Resource Concepts, Inc. will proceed with the two-phase update of the county’s federal public-lands policy and will coordinate regular input from the county and PLUAC during the process.

All formal votes referenced above were taken on March 13, 2025, at the public meeting of the Lander County Board of Commissioners; meeting minutes and recordings are available from the county clerk’s office.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lander County Commissioners' Regular Meeting 3 -13 - 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At their March 13 meeting, Lander County commissioners approved a range of land-use, contracting and administrative items, including parcel maps, a Kingston zoning change, a public-lands policy update contract, and an auditor renewal; they also set a public hearing for a revised vehicle/abandoned-vehicle ordinance.","taxTitle","Lander County , Nevada","taxId",73449,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6278043,"Lander County to fund Austin Community Center after SHPO cultural-report concerns",1326,7734000,9060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2643127-92c9096c4d099b0038f039dfed73611d&start=7734&end=9060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2643127-92c9096c4d099b0038f039dfed73611d/thumbnail_7734000.jpg","/articles/6278043/Lander-County/Nevada/Lander-County-to-fund-Austin-Community-Center-after-SHPO-cultural-report-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278043-77116dc8f8be7cbda1eeff6bd87946bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770703963&Signature=FUny9FLxzJES0sMNklFu6t2OnnGwgPWABUGPg06ezpJYLOZ7pfzS5odU9Zo2fzuuS60Gc5rqL8z-KQ1RvTQKImgIsZ8LjVMuTPAz2vG7VCG3S0I57gdzLwuQgO~nZP~lCX94dIkUa9RvwA7aNJG0nUw9O9hrANCzWUFK93hnwtz8S4guNmGuZfX6rNlvHo8BqsRHDaZt4yP0xEPa~ZoL3pnxN3wzo3jDuj7vTh8Gctu45GXlbiVnoKCJYuOiSmsAxl0IAfVbsfzrU56j3f9dFKMRT1iW64nv7ZV~MAf99iDnuOpUnk4DdZttywKGDOENdZoR5Uef1vr9RB15iA7-Gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lander County commissioners directed the county manager on March 13 to proceed with construction of the Austin Community Center using county funds after consultants’ cultural-resource recommendations raised the prospect of lengthy State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) mitigation and design conditions that could delay or significantly change the project.

County staff described an SHPO-related cultural-resource report that identified multiple historic-era structures near the proposed site and included broad mitigation options. The consultant’s draft language raised the possibility of requiring design changes or larger-scale mitigation measures such as a multi-year historic survey or interpretive trail and kiosks; county staff said the narrative in the report risked prompting a more expansive SHPO review of a larger portion of Austin.

The project under current design is a timber-framed community center with a commercial kitchen, meeting rooms and community spaces located near the park and pool and with onsite parking. The county has sought federal grants (HRSA and HUD) to help fund construction; those grants carry cultural-resource compliance requirements that trigger SHPO review. County staff and consultant presentations said SHPO review can range from a straightforward mitigation (kiosks or trail) to more extensive requirements that would push the schedule out months or longer.

To avoid an uncertain multi-month delay at the cost of program requirements, commissioners voted to proceed with county funding and start construction this year. Commissioners said they preferred a contemporary, durable building that supports civic use and raises the area’s overall appearance rather than redesigning to match a historic streetscape; several commissioners expressed concern at extending preservation controls across the town.

County staff said moving forward with county funds would not preclude later work on interpretive or mitigation elements if SHPO or other stakeholders still requested them, but it would allow construction to begin on a schedule that fits summer building seasons. Commissioners instructed staff to begin procurement and budgeting steps immediately and to report back with cost estimates and timelines.

What happens next: staff will finalize construction documents, solicit bids and report estimated county costs and schedules to the board. The county will continue to coordinate with SHPO and, if necessary, add mitigation features post-construction or in parallel where feasible.","To avoid months-long historic-preservation delays on grant-funded construction, commissioners directed staff to proceed using county funds to build the Austin Community Center this construction season, rather than await uncertain SHPO mitigation outcomes tied to HRSA/HUD grant requirements.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6278047,"BLM draft plan moves Callahan Complex up the queue; Lander County presses for gathers after years of overpopulation",1785,3715000,5500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2643127-92c9096c4d099b0038f039dfed73611d&start=3715&end=5500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2643127-92c9096c4d099b0038f039dfed73611d/thumbnail_3715000.jpg","/articles/6278047/Lander-County/Nevada/BLM-draft-plan-moves-Callahan-Complex-up-the-queue-Lander-County-presses-for-gathers-after-years-of-overpopulation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278047-4de7f37e94985232cffc235e268e5a1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770703963&Signature=XwiNDisCKXFzvHGJiPpX0mW7dOUOlDYM84IpatOvX5YHhJor78QEoWnkytXNhQAC7tBebNfjT4QerfhoebS~xpK4tTnO7ki39zTmGR1qZETKicIixWnqGWzJbAK5QEaZqUv1MBltWz5bbvyJ0kSC3Tnf9vYf7yMG197qqcfqRu9vZFuL9RiDajbLhijZnjsJQh3vbzShMAscpF~g3C44f8jcaY5zEpmEbEbdQGdWhK-jJCO2F-n2qMvYyWLvE-ISn1nVVP3N-ReUU3wlB1iF2gqjR-uAXEXOG5Op8Dsow0PUdEAgH962xinK-qLT-XGrQSp5FWNO9a2FCo8cGdfUcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County natural resources officials and Bureau of Land Management representatives told the Lander County Board of Commissioners on March 13 that wild horse numbers across eastern Nevada — and particularly in the Callahan Complex — significantly exceed federal Appropriate Management Levels (AMLs), worsening rangeland conditions and straining water and forage resources.

Pam Harrington, Lander County natural resources officer, said BLM data show severe overpopulation across multiple herd management areas and widespread range degradation: \"The feed is essentially gone...there's irreparable damage\" in places where perennial grasses have disappeared and soil pedestalling has occurred. Harrington reviewed figures showing some HMAs running hundreds of percent above AML and said local monitoring showed continued deterioration at water sources and winter ranges.

John Shervey, Battle Mountain District manager for the BLM, told commissioners the agency has prioritized the Callahan Complex and submitted a draft environmental assessment and herd management plan to the state office. Shervey said the field office expects to publish public scoping documents shortly and aims to issue a decision by mid-July; if that schedule holds the gather could be scheduled in the fall or winter of fiscal year 2026, though he cautioned calendar timing depends on national and state scheduling priorities and potential legal challenge.

Shervey described the logistical and legal constraints that prolong the process: environmental analyses must be defensible in the face of likely litigation; gathers are scheduled nationwide and prioritized at higher headquarters. He said the Callahan Complex contains about 3,500 horses total while AMLs for the area are roughly 500 horses, underscoring the scale of removals needed to restore AMLs.

County commissioners and members of the public described visible ecological damage, livestock and wildlife impacts, and frustration at the long interval since the last local gather (2011). County and public speakers urged more rapid federal action; several commissioners and public commenters discussed legal options, including litigation, if federal management does not proceed. Public commenters emphasized grass and water depletion, damage to wildlife habitat and safety concerns for ranching operations.

BLM officials described fertility-control options as a tool most effective at lower population levels and as part of a broader management toolbox once numbers are reduced; they said fertility treatments are cost- and labor-intensive and most effective when HMAs are near AML. Shervey said field gathers often include application of fertility control to selected mares, but large-scale fertility programs alone cannot address the present overpopulation.

Harrington and Shervey described coordination steps between the county and BLM, including county field monitoring assistance last year and the recent submission of draft documents to the state office. Harrington said the BLM deputy state director informed county staff that the timetable for the public scoping document could be issued the next day and that the record of decision could be achievable by mid-July. Shervey reiterated that external factors — including federal scheduling and potential government shutdowns — could delay the process.

What to expect next: BLM said scoping documents will be published and a public-comment period will follow; the county will monitor BLM notices and continue to coordinate on monitoring and stakeholder engagement. Commissioners urged continued pressure on the state and federal offices to keep the Callahan Complex high on the gather schedule.

No formal action was taken by the commission at this meeting on the topic; commissioners received the update and discussed possible legal and coordination responses.","County natural resources officer and BLM officials updated commissioners on wild horse overpopulation, ecological damage and the Callahan Complex Environmental Assessment; BLM said draft scoping will be issued soon and a record of decision is targeted for mid-July, opening the possibility of gathers in FY2026.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6278053,"Lander County adopts ordinance banning tobacco, vape and alternative nicotine products for under-18s",2733,847000,3580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2643127-92c9096c4d099b0038f039dfed73611d&start=847&end=3580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2643127-92c9096c4d099b0038f039dfed73611d/thumbnail_847000.jpg","/articles/6278053/Lander-County/Nevada/Lander-County-adopts-ordinance-banning-tobacco-vape-and-alternative-nicotine-products-for-under-18s","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278053-7ee99c2afd2f448b41d333ec17245ea5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770703963&Signature=gZKHr-3N219rEHufN0qwv4k7ga-ObiY-wJEr9ng-WLR2Ub8mQaPECO-Y9XNE86EP7P1478szxe6ThbQ9Tn9UwotYKKO1miowKVV6VtWlHysYMjgRhmoIZZkzc57athZah0RQZx4QyMCECTx~ZiVM2jv6fZsuRkd9RyW-CzVhcCrxGZ6CFGNYyC8G5WQ~y-NW2Teaf8XIslW13EW6ooBQy1l0czP2yo-L2zbm-ATDKMu8ThYWTcDWAQi~k94eA7w9XIEO~vHJJ891xeNA~Kq~MnPvC2Aj7HLihNQVAGIPCTiWB2qRVAHUT-tUrUgE9t28LcNwVsKrC9QOYOyUvWLdZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lander County commissioners approved Ordinance 2025-01 on March 13, 2025, making it unlawful for anyone under 18 to purchase, possess or use tobacco products, vapor products or alternative nicotine products in Lander County, and prohibiting adults from furnishing those products to minors.

The ordinance, created in consultation with students in the Longhorn youth team and the county district attorney's office, establishes tiered penalties for repeat juvenile offenses and a maximum fine for adults. During deliberations commissioners adopted amendments that set an escalating adult fine schedule, require an education component (available online) and preserve court discretion to impose community service or jail up to statutory limits.

The measure grew out of advocacy by students and parents who described vaping as widespread in local schools. Haley Hamilton, a student who spoke during the public hearing, told the commission: \"We are trying to protect the lungs of our youth, preventing nicotine addictions for their future, and encouraging healthy lifestyles.\" The district attorney’s office and the county sheriff’s office presented the proposed enforcement structure and explained limits and options under Nevada law.

Mike McDonald, chief deputy district attorney, said the proposed ordinance follows the authority the state grants counties to address tobacco and similar products and described how the county’s juvenile and adult penalty provisions would work. He told the commission the juvenile penalties mirror existing escalations used for alcohol offenses and explained that adult violations would be misdemeanors subject to fines and other court-imposed consequences. McDonald said: \"An adult who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be punished by a fine of not more than $500 for each violation\" in the draft; commissioners amended the draft to provide higher maximums and broader court discretion.

Public speakers urged stricter penalties for adults who supply minors. Lenny Goodwin, parent of a youth on the Longhorn team, said: \"This is not a children problem. This is an adult furnishing problem.\" County law enforcement said deputies will start with education and written warnings and document incidents for later enforcement when appropriate; repeat offenses would be referred to juvenile services or justice court as applicable. The sheriff’s office indicated deputies will continue to exercise discretion, with the department documenting warnings and citations to support subsequent enforcement.

At the conclusion of public comment and discussion, the commission voted to approve the ordinance as amended. The final motion included: a prohibition on purchase, possession and use by people under 18; a prohibition on adults furnishing such products to under-18s; a maximum fine up to $1,000 for adults (with the court authorized to impose community service or jail up to statutory limits); a tiered escalation of penalties for juveniles and adults; and a mandatory education component to be completed as determined by the court. The ordinance will be published as required and take effect according to the publication schedule.

What happens next: the county clerk will publish the adopted ordinance and the county’s justice and juvenile systems will implement the education and enforcement procedures described by the district attorney and sheriff’s office. The ordinance as adopted applies countywide; commissioners noted state legislation under consideration could change age thresholds in the future.

Votes at the meeting: commissioners moved and seconded adoption as amended and the motion carried with all commissioners present voting in the affirmative.","After public testimony from students and parents, the county commissioners approved Ordinance 2025-01 to ban purchase, possession and furnishing of tobacco, vapor and alternative nicotine products by or to people under 18, and added tiered penalties, mandatory education and court discretion for enforcement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Lander County commissioners approve multiple land, contract and administrative items

Lander County to fund Austin Community Center after SHPO cultural-report concerns

BLM draft plan moves Callahan Complex up the queue; Lander County presses for gathers after years of overpopulation

Lander County adopts ordinance banning tobacco, vape and alternative nicotine products for under-18s