Forest Service may buy land in Washoe Valley

The U.S. Forest Service has approved $4.7 million to buy environmentally important parcels of private land in Washoe Valley just north of Carson City.

Big Musgrove is 385 acres and McEwen Creek is 320 acres. Both are within the Toiyabe National Forest and, according to Forest Service experts, have a mix of habitat important to mule deer, black bear and the Sierra Nevada red fox, among other species.

Although the money has now been approved for the purchase, government officials say that doesn't obligate the private landowners to sell the property.

According to Forest Service officials, it identifies those pieces of land as approved for acquisition if a deal can be negotiated.