Sales tax may boost land preservation

Sunday, July 16, 2000 | 2:41 a.m.

"It is in the best interest of the Carson Valley business community to preserve the rural image of the valley," chamber leaders said in a statement.

The proposal drew support from 63 percent of chamber members who responded to a survey.

Chamber leaders listed nine reasons for the endorsement, including the benefits of keeping flood plains open and the tourism draw of undeveloped land.

Douglas County voters will act on the plan in November. If approved, the county's sales tax will jump by a quarter-cent to 7 percent, with proceeds from the increase used to preserve open space.

Among other things, county officials are considering a plan to buy development rights from ranchers and other willing property owners.

The county is completing a management plan that includes criteria for defining open land and potential strategies to preserve it.

The program will be voluntary, another reason cited by the chamber for its endorsement.

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