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Board approves conveyance of 479.77 acres known as American Flats to Truckee Meadows Water Authority for 1 Water Nevada; vote 3-1
Summary
The county approved conveying roughly 480 acres at American Flats to the Truckee Meadows Water Authority at no consideration to support the 1 Water Nevada advanced purified water project; the Bureau of Reclamation grant assigned to the project is positive but federal funding timing is uncertain.
The Washoe County Board of County Commissioners voted 3‑1 on March 18 to convey approximately 479.774 acres known as American Flats to the Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) to support the Truckee Meadows Advanced Purified Water project (1 Water Nevada).
The conveyance is authorized by state law (NRS 244.284) to be made without consideration because the transfer is intended to benefit the public by contributing land for regional water‑supply diversification. The board also approved an associated assignment and assumption agreement and authorized the county manager to execute required documents.
Vote: Chair Alexis Hill moved the motion; Commissioner Marlius Garcia seconded. The tally was Hill — yes; Mike Clark — yes; Marlius Garcia — yes; Vice Chair Jean Herman — no; Commissioner Claire Andreola was absent. The motion passed 3‑1.
Why it matters: the American Flats site is one of the locations identified for development of advanced water purification and recharge infrastructure intended to diversify the region’s water supply. Dustin Waters, assistant director of utility services for the City of Reno, told the board that $30 million in Bureau of Reclamation funds has been assigned to the project but that the federal funding timetable is uncertain and timing is not yet guaranteed.
Manager Aaron Smith and representatives from TMWA and the City of Reno were on hand to answer questions; no members of the public spoke during the public hearing on the conveyance. The county’s action included a grant, bargain and sale deed with a possible reverter clause and assignment of prior land agreements for the site.
Ending: Vice Chair Herman voted no and said she was concerned about potential costs and outcomes. Commissioners who voted to approve said the transfer is a step toward a regional, long‑term water solution and authorized the county manager to complete the required paperwork.
