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Board approves purchase of water rights to support Buzzy's Ranch preservation
Summary
The Board unanimously approved purchasing more than 203 acres (about 915.8 acre-feet annually) of water rights from Vidler Water Company for Buzzy's Ranch, funded from budgeted FY26 open-space allocations and based on a 2024 appraisal.
Carson City approved a purchase-and-sale agreement to acquire water rights supporting Buzzy's Ranch, a long-term open-space project aimed at preserving historic irrigated fields, wildlife habitat and floodplain functions.
Open Space Manager Lindsey Boyer told the board the acquisition from Vidler Water Company represents about one-third of the total water rights needed for the ranch (203.51 acres, approximately 915.795 acre-feet annually). The purchase price was determined by a 2024 appraisal and falls just under $2,290,000; funds were budgeted for FY26.
Boyer stressed the importance of water rights to maintaining more than a century of irrigated fields and the associated habitat and aesthetic values. After no public comment on the item, Supervisor Horton moved to approve the agreement and the board voted unanimously.
Next steps: staff will complete the purchase consistent with the appraisal and budgeted funds and incorporate the holdings into the Buzzy's Ranch management plan.
