Residents warn Sarman Ranch rezoning would cut mule deer migration corridor near Spring Creek

At the Elko County Advisory Board to Manage Wildlife meeting, resident Jim Connolly urged the board to oppose a proposed rezoning of Sarman Ranch lands east of Spring Creek, telling members the plan would shrink lot sizes and ‘‘bisect’’ an important mule‑deer corridor. Connolly, speaking for Spring Creek Open Space Advocates, said: "This proposal is to change the zoning of those properties from ag residential which limits the development to 1 homestead per 40 acres, to ag residential conservation, which I still don't get why that's in the moniker because they wanna get it down to where you can build a home on 5 acres or less." He described plans that would convert roughly 2,296.25 acres on the Ruby foothills and about 900 acres on the Spring Creek side for a total of "3,197 and 0.25 acres" under the rezoning plan, and said developers discussed a recreation ski lodge on the Ruby side and 180 or more homes on the Spring Creek side.

Nearby resident Angela Gamble reiterated concerns about habitat loss and public safety, saying the area is ‘‘a corridor for [mule] deer to move around’’ and warning that reduced access would push animals onto roads. Connolly and Gamble also raised water constraints: Connolly noted the area lies in a closed basin (he referenced “basin number 48”) and said any additional water would require transfer of senior vested rights within the basin. Connolly asked the CAB to express its views to the Elko County Commission and to add the matter to a future CAB agenda; the board did not take final action on the rezoning during this meeting and the matter remains before the planning commission and county commissioners.