Nature Conservancy seeking to preserve portion of Carson River

GARDNERVILLE - A national conservation group is well on its way to preserving a portion of the Carson River on Carson City's southern border.

The Nature Conservancy is applying for state funds to purchase a conservation easement on Kirman Field, a 1,200-acre parcel in northern Douglas County that contains about four miles of the Carson River.

"The river cuts right through it," said Laura Crane, a representative of The Nature Conservancy. "It's the only segment of river in Carson Valley that still meanders.

"Because that river has been allowed to meander, there are incredible willow thickets. Those are incredible wildlife habitats, especially for birds."

Kirman Field is owned by Don Bently, founder of the Bently Nevada Corp. The property is located to the east of Cradlebaugh Bridge on Highway 395 past Stephanie Way and extends to the county line bordering Carson City. Bently and the conservancy initiated the process of developing a conservation easement on the property in September 2003. The two parties are in the process of hammering out the final language for the easement.

Basically, a conservation easement allows for a private land owner to sell a portion of rights to a piece of land while maintaining ownership. Generally, such agreements allow the owner to continue to use and manage the property.

When the conservation rights are purchased, the language of the easement is recorded in the deed and stays with the property permanently.

Part of the easement for Kirman Field may include a recreational plan allowing for put-ins and put-outs to be placed along the river for rafting and kayaking.

"It's really unusual for a private land owner to allow for public usage on an easement," Crane said. "In this case, Mr. Bently has expressed interest in it as long as there is a recreation management plan in place and that we take care of some of the liability issues."

Crane said the conservancy is applying for funding to purchase the easement through the Nevada Division of State Lands Question 1 Conservation and Resource Protection Program.

Voter approval of Question 1 in 2002 authorized up to $200 million in support of natural and cultural resources throughout the state.

Crane said the land is currently being appraised, but it is still too early to estimate what the cost of the easement will be.

"We're working with several different partners on this," she said. "It allows us an opportunity to protect the floodplain and the wildlife habitats and also to enhance the recreation opportunities in the area."

The easement would cover nearly the entire 1,297-acre property with the exception of a small sliver adjoining the highway and several zones that Bently would continue to utilize for grazing cattle. The recreational uses would be focused only on the river corridor.

Contact Joey Crandall at jcrandall@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 212.