RUIDOSO, N.M. \u2013 Lincoln County has started a $235 million property buyout program, with six people accepting offers and at least three already closing.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is something that\u2019s never been done before, and we\u2019re really making sure that the first time that we\u2019re doing it right,\u201d Lincoln County Manager Jason Burns said.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s flooding changed her retirement plans.<\/p>\n
\u201cElated and relieved. Such a relief,\u201d Brewer said. \u201cIt was a very fair offer.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s flooding and ice storm.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs 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\u2019s safe from ice storms,\u201d Brewer said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand that there are still folks in need, but the progress that we\u2019ve made is proof that there is light at the end of the tunnel,\u201d Burns said.<\/p>\n
Lincoln County is still accepting applications for the buyout program.<\/p>\n
A link to the application is available here<\/a>. <\/p>\n