Nevada Land Shuffle: Pershing County Bill Proposes Land Sales, 136K New Wilderness Acres, and Tribal Transfer

This legislation tackles a long-standing headache in Pershing County, Nevada: the messy 'checkerboard' pattern of federal and private land left over from old railroad grants. The Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act aims to streamline land management through targeted land sales and exchanges, designate significant new wilderness areas totaling around 136,072 acres, and transfer a parcel of land into trust for the Lovelock Paiute Tribe.

Untangling the Checkerboard Tangle

Remember those old maps where federal and private land squares alternate like a game board? That's the reality along the old railroad lines in Pershing County, making management a nightmare for everyone involved. This bill authorizes the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), working with the County, to sell or swap specific BLM parcels called 'eligible land' (Sec. 102). Think of it as consolidating property lines on a massive scale.

Here's the process: BLM and the County jointly pick parcels. Sales generally happen through competitive bidding, but the bill gives a leg up to owners of adjacent private land, aiming to consolidate ownership blocks. All sales must be at fair market value, determined by appraisals following federal standards (USPAP & UASFLA). The bill even mandates mass appraisals every five years to keep valuations current (Sec. 102(g)). There's also a provision (Sec. 103) allowing folks with existing mining claims on certain 'encumbered lands' to buy the remaining federal rights, essentially getting full ownership, provided they pay fair market value and cover costs.

What happens to the cash from these sales? It's earmarked: 5% goes to Nevada's education fund, 10% directly to Pershing County's budget, and the remaining 85% lands in a special Treasury account (Sec. 104). This 'Pershing County Special Account' is meant for the BLM (after consulting the County) to buy other private land within the county from willing sellers – specifically targeting parcels that could expand wilderness, protect sensitive environments, secure public access for recreation, or generally improve federal land management. How this special fund gets used will be key.

Going Wild: Big Wilderness Designations

Beyond the land deals, this bill significantly boosts conservation by designating seven new Bureau of Land Management wilderness areas (Sec. 201), permanently protecting roughly 136,072 acres across places like Bluewing, Selenite Peak, and Grandfathers Wilderness. This means these areas are off-limits to new mining claims, drilling, and most development, managed primarily to preserve their natural character under the Wilderness Act.

What does 'wilderness' mean in practice here? Existing livestock grazing can continue under BLM rules (Sec. 202(b)). The state still manages fish and wildlife, including using aircraft if needed, and can work with BLM on projects like wildlife water sources (guzzlers) if they fit the wilderness vibe (Sec. 203). Military flights aren't restricted, and essential management like fighting fires or pests is allowed. Importantly, the bill clarifies this doesn't create buffer zones around the wilderness or automatically grant new federal water rights (Sec. 202).

Interestingly, the bill also explicitly protects Native American treaty rights and allows for traditional, noncommercial gathering of pine nuts within the new wilderness areas (Sec. 205). On the flip side, about 48,600 acres previously studied for wilderness potential (in areas like China Mountain and Mt. Limbo) are officially released from that status and will be managed under standard BLM plans (Sec. 204).

A Parcel for the Paiute Tribe

Finally, the Act directs the transfer of about 10 acres of current BLM land directly into trust for the Lovelock Paiute Tribe (Sec. 301). This land becomes part of the Tribe's reservation, adding to their land base. There's one specific string attached: this particular parcel cannot be used for casino-style (Class II or III) gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.