Commissioners rip into Carson City for BLM auction indefinitely delayed

An auction of federal land in Douglas County, originally planned for Tuesday and the focus of a protest by Carson City officials, is officially off.

On Friday, the Bureau of Land Management indefinitely postponed the sale of 146 acres in north Douglas County.

The announcement comes on the heels of a boisterous outcry by the Douglas County Commission at its regular meeting Thursday.

BLM postponed the auction because of a petition and protest from Carson City, which claims the impacts to the state's capital were not fully researched and that sales-tax revenue could be reduced.

Nevada State BLM Director Bob Abbey is reviewing the protest and is expected to rule in a few weeks.

At the meeting, Douglas County commissioners came out firing words at Carson City's refusal to drop a protest against the land sale.

Carson City officials were not at the meeting.

County Manager Dan Holler said, while the conversation with Carson City officials was cordial, it ended in complete disagreement.

The sale would have allowed 146 acres of commercial development along Highway 395, east of the new Wal-Mart Supercenter.

Carson City, is already hurting from losses of retail outlets to Douglas County. Holler said he hopes, the city would drop its appeal and bring it to the state Legislature, allowing the sale to go forward.

By filing a protest, Carson may have delayed sale of the site for up to two years.