Gibbons, Reid still pursuing Douglas-Lincoln land swap

Monday, Nov. 29, 1999 | 9:47 a.m.

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., plans to meet soon with officials in the two counties to try to reach a consensus on the best way to proceed.

His staff is working to coordinate the meetings with Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who also may attend.

Both lawmakers introduced legislation last summer that would have allowed the sale of thousands of acres of federal land to Lincoln County, which in turn would sell the land to developers.

Most of the money raised would help pay for agricultural easements in Douglas County, protecting precious Carson Valley farmland from residential development.

The legislation was sidelined last month over concern the arrangement would favor a single developer, Dennis Rider. Reid and Gibbons are now searching for an arrangement that would ensure federal land sold in Lincoln County would be subject to a competitive bidding process.

Meanwhile, Bureau of Land Management officials are proceeding with the land exchange proposal administratively. Gibbons and Reid suggest a legislative approach - if one is found that is acceptable to everyone - could proceed more quickly and with fewer bureaucratic entanglements.

Neither approach has been ruled out, said Robert Uithoven, an aide to Gibbons.

"Until we have this meeting there are a lot of doors open," Uithoven said. "That is one of our priorities during this recess - to see where we want to go."

Whatever approach is decided, both lawmakers see clear benefits. Lincoln County, where more than 90 percent of the land is owned by the federal government, would receive an economic jump start through resulting private development and a boost in the tax base.