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Deputy city manager outlines BLM conveyance progress and next steps for Fernley lands
Summary
Deputy City Manager Lydia Altek updated the commission on the Fernley Lands Bill (NDAA section 3009), describing roughly 9,779 acres identified for conveyance, baseline biological and cultural surveys under way, potential NEPA outcomes, and options if the city seeks reversionary interests for commercial use.
Deputy City Manager Lydia Altek told the Fernley Planning Commission the Fernley Lands Bill (included in the National Defense Authorization Act) designates parcels for conveyance from the Bureau of Land Management to the city. She said roughly 9,779 acres are identified across multiple parcels and summarized the work under way: baseline biological inventory complete, a class 3 cultural survey underway, mineral potential appraisals, and a plan-of-development concept that envisions passive recreation for some parcels.
Altek said the parcels conveyed under the 2014 lands bill fall under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act and that the city met required BLM officials in May 2023 to initiate phase 2 of conveyance. She said the BLM is discussing whether an environmental assessment will be required or whether the conveyance could be categorically excluded from NEPA—either outcome would change the schedule. "We are figuring that out right now," she said.
The deputy city manager told commissioners that if the city later seeks to acquire the federal reversionary interest to use land for economic development, it would need to commission an appraisal accepted by the Office of Valuation Services and then pay the BLM the appraised fair market value. She said the city has hired Wood Rogers to perform environmental work and noted the city is pursuing grant funding for projects such as relocating the rodeo grounds and design work for an animal services center.
Commissioners asked about parcel specifics (some parcels are steep and not developable) and about posting the presentation online for public access; staff agreed to upload the presentation with the meeting minutes. Altek said decisions about sale or retention for recreation would go to city council and that past practice included issuing requests for proposals to solicit development concepts for conveyed parcels.
Next steps: continue cultural and biological surveys, resolve NEPA scope with the BLM, and evaluate grant opportunities and development concepts before any sale or council decision.
