RUIDOSO, N.M. – Lincoln County has started a $235 million property buyout program, with six people accepting offers and at least three already closing.
Lincoln County started building the Emergency Watershed Protection Buyout Program in March after the federal government approved hundreds of millions of dollars for post-wildfire flooding recovery.
The voluntary program lets Lincoln County residents in potential flood zones sell their property to the county. The county has identified more than 260 eligible properties so far and final reviews are happening on dozens of them.
“This is something that’s never been done before, and we’re really making sure that the first time that we’re doing it right,” Lincoln County Manager Jason Burns said.
Six people have accepted offers and at least three have closed, including Jennifer Brewer. KOB 4 met Brewer in late June when she was still waiting on an offer after last summer’s flooding changed her retirement plans.
“Elated and relieved. Such a relief,” Brewer said. “It was a very fair offer.”
Brewer said she is now working on a new dream and looking for a place away from a river and tall pines after last year’s flooding and ice storm.
“Is number one criteria just not near a river? Not near a river, yes. And hopefully enough away from tall pines that since we had the ice storm last year, that it’s safe from ice storms,” Brewer said.
The county said it now focuses on making offers to all eligible applicants. After that, it plans to move to demolition and restoration, with a long-term goal of turning riverside properties back into green space.
“We understand that there are still folks in need, but the progress that we’ve made is proof that there is light at the end of the tunnel,” Burns said.
Lincoln County is still accepting applications for the buyout program.
A link to the application is available here.
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