LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A proposal to sell public lands spread out among several small towns northeast of Las Vegas is getting people fired up on social media.
The Lincoln County towns of Alamo, Caliente, Crestline, Hiko, Panaca, Pioche, Mt. Wilson and Rachel are the sites identified in a document released by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). A combined 5,500 acres across 66 plots of land were selected as the BLM gets ready to open up land to comply with the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation and Development Act of 2004.
Land along the famous Extraterrestrial Highway in Rachel is proposed, along with sites in picturesque Pioche, the county seat. There are larger plots in Crestline, nearer to the Utah border. There’s not much development there and the plots appear to be adjacent to the Crestline landfill.
The BLM has posted these maps showing the various plots that will be sold (advance the slideshow by clicking the arrow):
Many of the communities in Lincoln County have closer ties to Utah than the Las Vegas valley.
A Facebook post on Thursday announcing the opportunity to make public comment on the proposed sale hasn’t produced much action (three comments as of Friday afternoon), but the Facebook comments are a lively thread.
People question the legality of selling public lands. “You’re selling freedom,” is a refrain that resounds among the comments.
Others point to the possible growth of a tax base that could help the communities.
Still others rail against anything the BLM says or does.
Public comment will close on April 25. To participate, go to https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2037413/510 or send email to BLM_NV_EYDOWebmail@blm.gov.
Letters can also be addressed to BLM Caliente Field Office, ATTN: Jake Northup, PO Box 237, Caliente, NV 89008.
