With almost 97% of the land base in Inyo and Mono counties owned by the federal government and City of Los Angeles, there is a distinct lack of private land within and adjacent to existing communities available for community expansion and sustainability. Much of the undeveloped private land is isolated, usually surrounded by federal and/or Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) lands, and may contain valuable wildlife habitat and other natural resources. As growth demands increase, more of these isolated private parcels are being proposed for residential subdivision. Development of the these isolated parcels may be at odds with both counties' general plans and citizen desire to encourage growth adjacent to existing communities.

The Center worked with the Sierra Business Council and several other partners to identify opportunities for land exchanges along the east-side of the Sierra Nevada. The Center prepared a policy brief to assist community planning agencies as they consider using Federal Land Exchanges as a tool to meet community goals.

Federal Land Exchanges:A Primer for Local Citizens and Planners (2010) (PDF)