Sparking memories of a signature moment in the 2006 Senate campaign, Sen. Ben Nelson has reapplied for greenbelt tax breaks on his Sarpy County cabin property.

Nelson plans to graze cattle on his land and raise horses. He's been erecting fences on the property.

In addition, he plans to grow trees that are sold for lumber and replace those with newly planted trees.

"The greenbelt law was designed to protect property like this from being developed and to preserve Nebraska's rural character," Nelson said Wednesday.

Nelson said he could sell part of his property to developers to build homes or start "a small farming and ranching operation" and seek approval for greenbelt status.

"I liked the idea of raising some cattle and horses, and harvesting and replanting trees," he said, "not only to keep the area rural, but to use the land for agriculture, which is what Nebraska is all about."

An earlier disputed greenbelt designation for the property spawned the most memorable TV ads during Nelson's 2006 Senate contest with Republican challenger Pete Ricketts.

Nelson raised wild turkeys on the land and had received the same greenbelt status that had been attached to the property when he purchased it in 1998.

The Sarpy County assessor subsequently reversed the greenbelt designation and Nelson paid $15,000 in back taxes on the land.

Ricketts launched a colorful TV ad campaign depicting Nelson as a JibJab cartoon character shooting wild turkeys on his land and accepting unmerited greenbelt tax breaks.

Nelson owns 90 acres near the Platte River.

In addition to seeking greenbelt status, he has filed a protest with Sarpy County appealing the assessed valuation of the property south of Gretna.

One parcel of the land owned by Nelson is valued at $670,850. Its estimated value with greenbelt designation would be $387,000, said Nelson spokesman Jake Thompson.

The second parcel is valued at $174,049. Its estimated value with greenbelt designation would be $53,500.

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.