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County board backs BLM request for early support on potential land acquisitions and easements
Summary
After a detailed presentation from the Bureau of Land Management, the Lassen County Board of Supervisors voted to authorize the chair to sign a letter expressing early support for several potential BLM land acquisitions and access easements, while noting funding and public-review steps remain.
The Lassen County Board of Supervisors voted to authorize the chairman to sign a letter of support for a Bureau of Land Management effort to pursue several early-stage land acquisitions, easements and targeted disposals in and around the Susanville area. The action followed a lengthy presentation from Emily Ryan, the Eagle Lake field office manager for the BLM, and Dan Ryan, a district realty specialist.
The BLM officials told the board they are in the preliminary stages of evaluating parcels along the Bis Johnson Trail corridor, Bald Mountain, the Modoc Line rail corridor and a handful of Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) holdings near Fredonia. "We—re still early in the process," Emily Ryan said, adding that the agency must secure funding and complete federal National Environmental Policy Act public involvement before moving forward.
Dan Ryan said the agency—s recent access to funding through the Land and Water Conservation Fund and other grants has increased acquisition activity but emphasized that acquiring land does not automatically change its public use: "We listen to the public," he said, noting BLM sometimes declines projects after early outreach identifies major concerns.
Supervisors asked detailed questions about alternatives, legal access and whether acquisitions would improve public trailheads and wildfire fuel-break opportunities. Board members also raised local concerns about parcels that are currently landlocked or are behind private gates; Ryan said BLM negotiates easements and, in some cases, conditions on disposals or exchanges to secure public access.
In a roll-call vote, the board approved the motion to authorize the chair to sign the letter of support. Supervisor Scanland voted in favor; Supervisor Neie (recorded as Neely in other packet lines) voted no; Supervisors Alba, Ingram and Bridges voted yes. The BLM said it will follow up with a clarified list of proposed parcels and alternatives requested by the board.
Why it matters: Local willingness to provide early support helps federal agencies prioritize grant applications and can shape whether parcels proceed to NEPA review; however, Ryan cautioned that support is nonbinding and the BLM still must secure funding and complete public environmental review before any land transfers or new public access facilities are authorized.
