Nevada Checkerboard Challenge Land Exchange Benefits

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Provides a lasting legacy for future generations

Increased value of the private land in a large block versus the checkerboard ownership. That assemblage value could be as high as 30% of the exchange value of the private land.

Improved marketability, larger blocks of contiguous land are more desirable to those seeking land to purchase and those seeking grazing or hunting leases.  

 More efficient and effective management of private lands and BLM permits included in the property / ranch boundaries

Optimize revenue from increased livestock numbers and improved management options including development of recreation opportunities and reduction of public trespass trying to access the checkerboard BLM lands. It is questionable whether corner to corner access is legal access but is often practiced by the public and in some states, like Nevada, is supported by BLM.

Improved access to all private land.  Crossing BLM either corner to corner or across sections no longer necessary. There would no longer be a need for any access permits or Environmental Assessments to access any of the private land in the checkerboard.

Significantly decreased likelihood for appeals of permit decisions on BLM land from entities such as Western Watershed and the Center for Biodiversity in the future and less impact if an appeal is successful.  Part of the exchange approval process would include establishment of new permit boundaries and at least initial approvals.

Increased opportunity for range improvements on private land without the requirement of completing an Environmental Assessment on BLM permit areas or for access to the development areas.

Optimize opportunities for increased revenue from changes of use on the private land, i.e., additional and/or better configuration of pivots on hay lands in the areas of currently checkerboard ownership. 

Opportunities for mineral development on private land.  Larger blocks of land are more desirable. With no new leasing on federal minerals, private minerals are going to be more in demand.  An exchange would result in either private ownership of federal minerals under exchanged lands or surface ownership above federal minerals which would provide opportunity for completing a surface use agreement. Negotiation of surface use agreements can include significant compensation and reclamation requirements for the benefit of the landowner.  At minimum, it would provide ensured access to private minerals without requiring any access permits from BLM.  Generally, if   minerals are of similar value BLM will transfer the federal minerals in exchange for the private minerals. If the private minerals are not owned by the landowner, it is still possible the federal minerals could be transferred depending on the mineral potential.

The mineral interest would be identified using the established BLM criteria: H (High potential), M (Medium potential), L (Low potential), and N (No potential) followed by the rating based on the amount of development information in the area: A (Significant information), B (Above average information), C (average information), D (little or no information). If the mineral estate is owned by either party in total or the mineral values are similar, we would encourage the parties to exchange the minerals with the surface ownership. If the mineral values are significantly different negotiations would be necessary to determine how that estate would be handled. To the extent possible we would encourage transfer of lands with similar mineral values to prevent a severed estate. 

The Checkerboard Challenge Land Exchange may be enhanced with agreements to do conservation easements on lands that may have cultural or certain wildlife values. Once the exchange is completed the opportunity to access some of the property value through a conservation easement would be significantly increased. There are   conservation easement holders, notably utilizing funding through the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), that could create a cash return of as much as 30% of the land value and would support agricultural use. More information on these easements is available under NRCS Conservation Easements. There is significant interest by the NRCS for funding easements in areas of designated Greater Sage Grouse Habitat. 

The magnitude of the Checkerboard Challenge Land Exchange proposed Congressional action exchange will reduce the cost of studies and the NEPA process. The proposed Congressional Bill could include clauses for the permitting of the newly configured BLM land reducing any options for challenges upon permit renewal, completion of needed infrastructure improvements, and the number and location of trails and identification of other public recreation.

NEPA (National Environmental Studies Act of 1969) - The overall NEPA process is to identify the issue that needs to be addressed, determine alternatives that would correct the problems identified, study any potential environmental issues using various established methods, comply with any environmental regulations, involve the pubic throughout the process and document the decisions made in a NEPA document. 

In a standard BLM exchange that requires the full NEPA process, the cost to the landowner can exceed $30 per acre on the BLM land in the exchange and $10.00 per acre on the private land.  The Congressional Action Range Rescue LLC is proposing will eliminate the requirement for a full NEPA study.  The only required study Range Rescue anticipates being required is a Hazmat Study on private lands enrolled in the Checkerboard Challenge Land Exchange.  Typically, Hazmat studies can be completed for $5.00 per acre on private land and $10.00 per acre on public land.

Range Rescue LLC, will provide facilitators who know the process, have contacts in BLM at the local, state and federal level, and have experience with completing a Congressional action land exchange.  Normally, the all-in expenditure of a standard land exchange could easily exceed $50.00 per acre.  The structure and scale allow Range Rescue LLC to facilitate the Nevada Checkerboard Challenge land exchange for 25% of the going rate of standard land exchanges.

Because of the beneficial value to the public for blocking up the BLM lands, this should be a very desirable exchange to be completed.

Provides a lasting legacy for the benefit of future generations.

More efficient and effective management of BLM permits on large blocks of land versus the checkerboard ownership.

Increased opportunities for public use on large blocks of land versus the checkerboard ownership. Constructing trail systems, reduction of trespass issues, hunting, etc. would be significantly improved with large blocks of land.

Control or access for mineral development would be improved on a large block of land versus the checkerboard ownership.

Access for administrative purposes would be easier on a large block of land versus on the checkerboard ownership. There would be no concern over corner-to-corner access or road access across private land.

Improved relationships with all users would occur because there would be less conflicts with private landowners and the public.

Better control over the installation of improvements and infrastructure.

Could be potential for conservation easements on the large blocks of private land that could provide further protection of land issues like Greater Sage Grouse.

Improved law enforcement than what exists on the checkerboard ownership.

Added value to the BLM land due to the size and assemblage value of the larger blocks of land.

The Checkerboard Challenge Land Exchange proposal will be done as a Congressional action versus the longer NEPA process saving money and staff resources while providing the opportunity for adding clauses in the Congressional Bill that would establish management goals, appropriations, etc.

Specifically meets the BLM and Mission: “To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.” and meets most of Nevada State Director's priorities

§ Public and employee safety 

Everything we are focused on is for the people we serve and the nearly 1,000 individuals who make up our workforce across BLM Nevada. Our day-to-day efforts on the land, our long-term planning, wildfire response and our focus on maintenance and construction of roads, bridges, trails, recreation sites, and other public facilities support a safe and enjoyable experience on the public lands we manage. We ensure our employees have the right tools, the right resources, and the flexibility to make the right decisions to do their jobs. 

§ Energy and minerals development and infrastructure 

Nevada is a leader in the promotion of responsible energy and mineral development that includes strategic/critical minerals, renewable energy, oil and gas, geothermal, and the necessary related infrastructure. The energy and mineral resources we manage are some of the most important in the nation and we are vitally important to the state and local economy. We continue to support our nation’s energy independence through fostering positive working relationships with our state partners and federally recognized tribes. Our efforts contribute to good paying jobs and local tax revenues that help support vibrant local communities. 

§ Sound, effective resource management 

Managing millions of acres of land, habitat, special areas and mineral estate across Nevada presents unique management opportunities. Using the guidance in Resource Management Plans and other decisions crafted with extensive public involvement, we apply the highest quality information, and cutting-edge technology and techniques to implement projects on the ground. Our actions are designed to protect, use, restore, and enhance public lands for current and future generations in support of our multiple-use and sustained yield mandate. We value contributions and input from our city, county, state, and tribal partners, permittees, and publics, which is essential to our success in achieving our goal of effectively and efficiently managing diverse public lands, resources and uses, while striking an appropriate balance. 

§ Fiscal responsibility 

We make prudent and responsible decisions that align with our priorities in order to derive the greatest gain from each-and-every financial commitment and expenditure entrusted to us, recognizing the money that comes to us is from the American taxpayers through budgets proposed and approved by the President and Congress.

· This exchange would provide some significant benefit to this Administrations 30/30 plan. Providing BLM with large landscapes to manage for conservation values, and the potential for adding significant private lands under conservation easements could be a substantial contribution to that effort. Even when there is a change in administration conservation goals will always be important so the exchange would support those interests.