Newsletter: Summer 2006

Below is a recreation of our newsletter of summer 2006 in its original three column newspaper-style format for you to enjoy:

                                                   Lahontan Valley Environmental Alliance
 
                                                  LVEA  in  Action 

(775)    423-0525                     40 E. Center Street Ste #23, Fallon, Nevada 89406                 Summer 2006

                                              Mailing address: P.O. Box 390 Fallon, Nevada 89407
               
           _______________________________________________________________________________

 


BR     Breaking News:

      The Churchill County Commissioners
                 held a public hearing June 1, 2006

               to considered the TDR document. 
             The document has been approved,
                and now has become an ordinance
                 that will be included in the Churchill
                County Master Plan. 

Every single minute of every day, America loses two acres of farmland, reports the American Farmland Trust (AFT). 

Based on the 1997 U.S. Census of Agriculture, in the United States, from 1992 to 1997, more than 6 million acres of agricultural land was converted to developed use.  That is an area the size of Maryland. Farm and ranch land was lost 51 percent faster in the 90s than in the 80s.  The rate of loss for 1992-1997 was 1.2 million acres per year.  The best, most fertile and productive land is being lost the fastest, reports the



AFT.  This results in marginal land, which requires more resources like water, being put into production.

In Nevada, from 1987 to 1992,
180acres were lost per year. From 1992 to 1997, 420 acres were lost per year - a 133% increase.  As the rate of development in Churchill County increases, the problem increases in the Lahontan Valley.

All of this said, when a developer approaches a farmer with a huge bag of money, how can a farmer resist selling his land for development. The Lahontan Valley Environmental Alliance, Agriculture Preservation Working Group is hoping they have come up with some solutions. One of these solutions may be the Transfer Development Rights (TDR) program. 

 

   

    The TDR program would allow the
    landowner to sell development rights
    to a developer or to the County and
    continue to farm the land.  As well as
    generating  money from the sale of
    TDRs, the landowner may receive a
     tax break. 

   A conservation easement would be
    placed on the land, require the land
    to be used only for agricultural
    purposes, and tie the water to the
    land.  This would be of benefit to the
    entire community, as it would continue
    to help recharge the aquifer, provide
    open space and maintain the areas
    rural atmosphere. 

 


If you have questions or would like
a copy of the Transfer Development
Rights document, please contact
LVEA at 775 423-0525.