April 10, 2008
BLM Okays Annexation

Photo by Dave Maxwell Mayor Kevin Phillips of Caliente.

By Dave Maxwell, Staff Writer

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ely Field Office gave its official approval to the annexation of land as part of the offer by Tuffy Ranch Properties to the City of Caliente.

At the regular city council meeting, Mayor Kevin Phillips said the City had received a “Letter of No Objection” from the BLM. This will amend the Ordinance the City has written and will soon be open to public comment.

Tuffy Ranch Properties approached the City and offered 2400 acres of land for annexation. However, a small section of land in what is called The Cove, between Tuffy Ranch parcels, needed approval by the BLM. The BLM land referred to in the “Letter of No Objection” and the Tuffy Ranch property amount to about 5600 acres.

Mayor Phillips said the letter stated that the BLM “will not object to the annexation of such properties. That is equivalent to a private party petitioning to be annexed in and now resolves any question of what is to be considered contiguous,” he said.

The Council approved a motion to amend the Ordinance. A public hearing on the Ordinance will be held on April 17 at 6:00 pm.

Phillips said the proposed annexation allows the City to consider new developments, both commercial and residential, and is consistent with the direction of the Master Plan for the City of Caliente.