Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act

Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act

This bill provides for the conservation or transfer of specified land in Nevada.

Specifically, the bill transfers certain land so as to be to be held in trust for Native American tribes and modifies the boundaries of conservation areas. For example, the bill

• transfers land to be held in trust for the Moapa Band of Paiutes of the Moapa River Indian Reservation;
• transfers land to be held in trust for the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe;
• adjusts the boundary of the Red Rock National Conservation Area to include additional lands;
• revokes the Ivanpah Area of Critical Environmental Concern, with the exception of areas designated as special management areas for conservation purposes; and
• expands the boundaries of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area and grants rights-of-way for a water transmission pipeline and related facilities.

The bill also allows certain funds to be used for additional purposes relating to preservation sites, and it provides for additional land and public uses with respect to these sites. For example, the bill

• makes certain funds available for capital improvements in the Tule Springs Fossil Bed National Monument,
• designates additional lands in Nevada as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System,
• requires land conveyances to local governments in Nevada for specified public purposes,
• makes certain funds available to the City of Mesquite for implementation of a watershed plan for the Lower Virgin River,
• expands the limited transition area located in the city of Henderson, and
• establishes off-highway vehicle recreation areas.