Comprehensive Land Bill Involving Esmeralda County, Nevada
Resolution No. 08-R-04
Title: Policy of the County Commission regarding any comprehensive land bill
involving Esmeralda County, Nevada
Whereas; 97% of the area of Esmeralda County consists of Federally Managed Lands.
Whereas; The county has areas where inadvertent trespass has occurred or ownership
of the land is in dispute; specifically the town of Gold Point, Nevada.
Whereas; Economic growth has been suffocated by the lack of private land, on-going,
ever changing withdrawal proposals for federal projects, and it's taxpayers subjected
to providing services on Federally Managed Lands without receiving just compensation.
Whereas; The citizens of Esmeralda County have an intimate relationship with the
land. They treat it with respect, earn their living from it by ranching, mining,
and farming, and enjoy the pleasures of freedom to recreate on it along with a
host of visitors.
Whereas; Within Esmeralda County exists an extensive system of roads, trails, and
right of ways. Some dating as far back as the time of the Indians, and Spaniards
long before there was a Bureau of Land Management. Esmeralda County owns and maintains
in excess of 1500 miles of road. This system, the access it provides between
communities and to public land is dear to the heart the people of Esmeralda County.
Whereas; The relationship between the Department of the Interior and Esmeralda County
is pretty good today but this has not always been the case. In the past the BLM has
obliterated/blocked our roads, let mining companies leave open workings and junk
all over. Wild horse herd over population has been allowed and our citizens have
to request gathers. The citizens of Esmeralda County believe they would be better
guardians of the public land than the official stewards because of first hand
knowledge and personal impact involved.
Whereas; Esmeralda County is highly mineralized not only with precious metals but
also with minerals having strategic value to the defense of the United States.
Many areas in the county including the current Wilderness Study Areas have never
been thoroughly investigated for mineral potential due to rough terrain.
Whereas; Several land bills for Nevada Counties have become law and the people of
Esmeralda have observed the process and results. From this experience we realize
the importance to express our views from the start
Whereas; Senator Reid and his staff have offered to sponsor a land bill for Esmeralda
County.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Any comprehensive land bill involving Esmeralda County
must from beginning to end remain under the control of local citizens and government.
That Esmeralda County will not agree to sell, barter, or otherwise give up right
to the water, or other resource in the county needed for current and future use
by its' citizens. That all existing accesses, roads, trails, right of ways should
be addressed and guaranteed to remain open. That Federally managed lands should
be classed as Multiple Use, accessible to the public, open for mining, energy
development, and be adaptively managed to the benefit of the environment, economy,
security, and use of the citizens of Esmeralda County and the United States of
America. That management of all lands will involve our citizens and local government
in any and all actions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Esmeralda County joins with its sister Counties to
oppose any further wilderness or roadless area to be designated without their
express approval;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Esmeralda County Board of County Commissioners requests
the State of Nevada by and through its elected Officials and Officers, including
but not limited to Governor Jim Gibbons, Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto,
Nevada State Senators and Assembly persons, U.S. Senator Harry Reid, U.S. Senator
John Ensign, U.S. Congressman Dean Heller, U.S. Congresswoman Shelly Berkeley,
and U.S. Congressman John Porter to assist Esmeralda County in opposing any
wilderness areas to be designated in Esmeralda County without the specific approval
of it's citizens;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Majority
Leader of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the
President of the United States and the members of Esmeralda County's congressional
delegation.
Adopted this 1st day of April, 2008.
Top of Page
