The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which addresses the Fallon Range Training Complex (FRTC) Modernization for NAS Fallon, has been the topic of much debate for Northern Nevadans. While many locals are still unhappy about the bill’s passage, a few good things have emerged. One of those things is particularly good for Churchill County.
Under NDAA/FRTC, through the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act (SNPLMA), a federal lands bill that became law in 1998, some money has become available to Churchill County—a lot of money.
SNPLMA allows the Bureau of Lands Management to sell public land within a specific boundary around Las Vegas. According to SNPLMA, land sales revenues are split in various ways. The majority of funds go to a special account available to the Secretary of the Interior for parks, trails, natural areas, wildlife, and habitat conservation initiatives, with other funds slated for hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire prevention, and other purposes in Nevada and the California side of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Churchill County can now apply for project funding that could significantly enhance community parks and recreation within its boundaries. At their April 18 meeting, county commissioners approved an application for three priority projects. According to County Manager Jim Barbee, White Pine County received over $40 million in SNPLMA funds for some of their improvement projects, which include trail expansions, campgrounds, road improvement, historic rail track expansion, fairground renovations, and more recreation base projects. Fallon is now on track to do the same, although Barbee did not discuss specific dollar amounts.
While there are 11 total projects on the radar, three priorities topped the list. The goals for these projects vary, with most centered on connecting people with the outdoors to foster interaction and understanding of the natural environment.
The first project is the 3C Complex and Regional Park. The project would complete the renovation of the county’s current fairgrounds and implement improvements that would expand the number of participants for various outdoor animal events and activities. These improvements include arena expansions, construction of a new multipurpose building/Dry Gulch Saloon, land purchase, new bathrooms, concessions, and a field house. A new outdoor aquatic facility is proposed, shade structures, playground areas, outdoor arena seating expansion, additional parking, and new biking and walking paths. Additional RV hookups will be added to fill the 350-space capacity, athletic field upgrades, sports turf installation, complex beautification, event facilities improvements, and ADA and safety upgrades.
The second proposed project is the North Maine Youth Softball Complex. The civil and structural engineering firm, Lumos & Associates, is reviewing the needs for this project, which would completely replace the existing ball field infrastructure, update, and expand with more efficient facilities to include fields, concessions, restrooms, field house, walking/biking paths, and paved parking. Sports turf and new pitching and batting cages are also on the drawing board.
The third proposed project is Old Stone Regional Park, which is a Public Utilities District (PUD) approved last December. The development covers 107+ acres of farmland near Birch Lane and Casey Road. The land is owned by Nev Dev LLC, which is planning a subdivision to be called Old Stone Ranch with approximately 100 new homes and 408 apartments. According to the Churchill County Planning Commission, Nev Dev proposed constructing a 10-acre community park within the complex. The park would include a sports complex, ball fields, walking and biking paths, and multi-use fields for community sports practice, which cannot presently be accommodated. “If the project funding is approved, the land will transfer to Churchill County,” said Barbee.
This process will take over 18 months, with several hurdles to cross along the way. Applications for these projects are due in August and, of course, followed by miles of red tape, review, and action on the part of the county.
With $417 million in funds from the Department of the Interior to spread over 47 projects, Churchill County is fortunate to be one of those on the receiving end of this landmark legislation.
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