Nevada Centennial Ranch Conserved Forever
Kempthorne calls SNPLMA's first easement a "milestone"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2006

GARDNERVILLE, NEVADA – The first conservation easement under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA) will keep a Carson Valley Centennial Ranch in agriculture forever. The Hussman Ranch—300 acres of irrigated pastureland with the stunning Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop—is emblematic of the American West. The Hussman family has worked this ranch for more than 100 years, and ranch owners David and Kathi Hussman are relieved to know that it will always remain a ranch. On September 13, 2006 the couple became the first in Nevada to sell a conservation easement to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) using funds generated by SNPLMA.

The Hussman’s dedication ceremony on October 6th in Gardnerville, NV commemorated their goal to protect their ranching heritage. The agreement resulted in a historic public-private conservation agreement.

"This is a milestone agreement and model of cooperative conservation for Nevada and the nation," Interior Secretary Dick Kempthorne said. "Private landowners are working hand-in-hand with the federal government and American Land Conservancy to protect wildlife habitat and the Carson River, while also preserving part of the West's ranching heritage."

The Hussmans sold a conservation easement to BLM but retained ownership of their property and control over their ranching operations. The easement was developed by American Land Conservancy (ALC) working in partnership with the Hussmans and the BLM. ALC is a national land conservation organization that assists private landowners who want to sell the right to develop their property while maintaining the rural character and lifestyle they enjoy.

“The easement is a perfect solution for us," says David Hussman. “We never wanted to see our land developed, and by selling a conservation easement, we are able to continue to own our ranch, maintain our agricultural operations and preserve our way of life."

“In an area like Carson Valley that is under intense development pressure, a conservation easement can make the difference between a landowner retaining ownership and continuing their operations or selling their property for development," says Jim Elias, director of ALC’s Great Basin Program based in Minden. “This success confirms the promise of SNPLMA and we’re proud to have played a role."

Located in the Carson Valley, a one hour drive south of Reno, the Hussman Ranch is one of Nevada’s “Centennial Ranches," meaning that the ranch has been owned and operated continuously by one family for at least 100 years. The Hussman’s great grandfather purchased the ranch in 1872. Because of its fertile soils, much of the property is classified as “farmland of statewide and local importance" by the National Resource Conservation Service. But good land like the Hussman’s in Carson Valley is giving way to mounting development pressure and skyrocketing land values. In Nevada and across the country, farmland is decreasing and the number of farms declining.

“Many landowners don’t want to develop their land, but face financial demands such as debt, estate settlements between heirs, or future estate taxes," says Elias. “For many families, conservation easements are the answer."

This easement is not only historic because of the land and resources it protects but also because it is the first to be completed by BLM using Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act funds. The funding for this program is generated by the sale of BLM land in and around Las Vegas. A portion of the funds is devoted to education and the Southern Nevada Water Authority, but the balance is set aside in a special account for projects throughout the state including parks and trails, conservation easements and environmentally sensitive land acquisitions.

“We are preserving a stunning area of the Carson Valley for future generations," said Nevada U.S. Senator John Ensign, who together with then-Senator Richard Bryan authored the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act. “Our quality of life in Nevada depends on balancing growth and maintaining our state’s rural character."

BLM land sales in Clark County have generated $3 billion in funding since the act was passed in 1998. Currently, $389 million has been authorized for land conservation transactions like the Hussman Ranch.

According to Nevada BLM director Ron Wenker, “The SNPLMA program is providing results to the State of Nevada. By working in partnership with willing landowners and groups like American Land Conservancy, BLM’s efforts are benefiting both the citizens and natural resources of the State of Nevada. We also are working very hard to complete more projects like the Hussman conservation easement."

American Land Conservancy is a private, non-profit land conservation organization that works to protect the very best of America’s ecological, scenic, recreational, cultural and agricultural resources. “ALC has a long standing commitment to working with Nevada landowners to conserve the state’s heritage and to protect its open landscapes," Elias said “Completing the first conservation easement under SNPLMA marks a new era in keeping Nevada a place people are proud to call home."

Landowners interested in learning more about options for conserving their land can contact Jim Elias, Director, ALC Great Basin Program, (775) 783-0908.

CONTACT
Jim Elias
Director, Great Basin Program
 c: 775-340-1545

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