Grant funding approval includes Carson land

Carson City stands to benefit as the U.S. Secretary of the Interior has announced the approval of $90 million in funding for continued restoration at Lake Tahoe along with other park and trail projects in Nevada as part of the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act.

The funding includes money for the purchase by the Forest Service of the 13-acre Schulz property near the Kings Canyon Waterfall as well as funding up to 40 percent of the $1.6 million for the acquisition of the Bently Carson River Canyon property. The balance of the funding and future management will be through Carson City's Open Space Program.

The Bently property includes 470 acres containing more than 35 acres of mature cottonwood trees bordering the riverbanks and adjacent wetlands. Additionally, the land rises steeply into the scenic canyon formation.

"With this grant, Carson City will be able to complete our vision to manage the river for passive recreation and provide for the continuation of the extension of the V&T track from Virginia City into our town," said Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell.

The vision the mayor is referring to relates to the implementation of the Carson City Lands Bill providing for the transfer of lands between federal agencies and the city. The office of Sen. Harry Reid facilitated the construction, drafting and approval of this bill, which was signed into law in January 2009.

The bill will result in more than 4,000 acres of land being preserved as open space for the enjoyment of our residents while caring for our river natural resources. The concern over the management of these lands was the subject of an extensive citizen participation process, facilitated by the National Parks Service and the Friends of Silver Saddle Ranch, a local non-profit organization.

For more information, contact Juan F. Guzman, open space manager, at the Carson City Parks and Recreation Department at 887-2262 ext. 7341, or by

e-mail at JGuzman@carson

.org, or mail him at 3303 Butti Way, Building #9 Carson City, NV 89701.