BLM sale will aid Mesquite growth

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2001 | 10:12 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Lincoln County's tiny population could explode, thanks to overflow from nearby Mesquite, according to plans being unveiled this week.

The Bureau of Land Management said it will auction three parcels totaling 6,478 acres for developments that could accommodate 57,700 people in the next 20 years. The auction will be held Oct. 12 at the Mesquite City Hall.

The land is near the fast growing city of Mesquite, 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas. Mesquite is in Clark County, but development in southeast Lincoln County would handle the spillover.

The 2000 Census put Lincoln County's population at 4,165.

Ace Robison, a consultant for Lincoln County, said today a 2000 federal law authorized the sale of 13,500 acres of land in the county.

The purchasers of the land, Robison said, must sign an agreement with Lincoln County for industrial, commercial and residential development.

Parcels of 4,357 acres, 2009 acres and 112 acres are scheduled to be sold through a competitive oral auction with bidding beginning at the property's appraised value.

Chris Hanefeld of the BLM said the appraised value of the parcels would be ready by the end of the month.

Robison said that at least one golf course must be developed on each of the larger parcels.

Lincoln County and Vidler Water Co. had joined in pushing for development of the area. The two will develop the water for the project.

An informational meeting is scheduled Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. at Mesquite City Hall where Lincoln County staff will explain the purchase requirements for each parcel and answer questions.

This October's BLM sale is not connected to another proposed development, which also would bring an additional 50,000 people to Lincoln County.

Lobbyist and developer Harvey Whittemore is petitioning the state for water rights to serve a 42,000-acre planned community in the Coyote Springs area where U.S. 93 crosses the Lincoln-Clark County line. The development would be 50 miles north of Las Vegas.