Committee on Natural Resources Passes Amodei Northern Nevada Lands Package

 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Mark Amodei issued the following statement following the markup and favorable reporting of the Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act by the House Committee on Natural Resources. 
 
“It’s no secret Nevada has a long history of advocating for local control over public lands in the face of federal oversight,” said Rep. Mark Amodei. “This commonsense legislation gives Nevada’s leaders and organizations a front seat at the table to determine what is best for their communities. I appreciate their tireless efforts to help craft this bill, as well as the members of this committee who recognized the constant need for a comprehensive federal lands policy in our state. I would also like to thank Rep. Susie Lee for her partnership in advancing Nevada’s lands priorities, and helping secure the Jean Prison title of this bill as well.

While there remain additional resource priorities needed, I will continue fighting to secure a complete legislative victory — one that spurs a new era of economic growth and resilience in Nevada, all while balancing our responsibility to preserve and protect our unique landscapes.” 
“Unfortunately, the federal government can often become mired by red tape and confusing protocols,” said Chairman Bruce Westerman. “Fortunately, Congressman Amodei’s work on the Northern Nevada Development and Conservation Act will combine numerous proposals related to public lands in his district and help streamline processes for proper use of these lands. I want to thank Rep. Amodei for his work on this meaningful legislation.” 

You can watch the markup of the Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act here. 

​Background

Title I: Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act 

• Transfers approximately 67 acres to the State of Nevada to be used for state parks. 
• Conveys approximately 7,777 acres to Douglas County for flood management and public purposes. 
• Allows for public sale of up to 60 acres within 1 year of enactment and facilitates long-term joint selection of land through the BLM planning process between Douglas County and the Secretary. 
• Allows no more 10,000 acres of land identified in the existing Carson City RMP to be sold. 
• Conveys approximately 1,084 acres to Douglas County to be used for open space. 
• Transfers approximately 2,669 acres to the Washoe Tribe. 

 
Title II: Incline Village Fire Protection Act (Washoe County) 

• Conveys 2 parcels totaling approximately 14 acres to the Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID) for public uses. 

 
Title III: Northern Nevada Flood Protection Management Act (Washoe County) 

• Conveys 4 parcels totaling approximately 534 acres to the Truckee River Flood Management Authority (TRFMA) for flood attenuation, riparian restoration, and protection. 

Title IV: Carson City Public Lands Correction Act 

• Conveys approximately 211 acres of BLM land to Carson City for public purposes, flood management, and economic development. 
• Removes reversionary interests on 3 parcels already held by Carson City to allow for economic development. 
• Allows for disposal of approximately 17.45 acres of Carson City land for future residential development. 
• Conveys approximately 0.45 acres of USFS land to Carson City to be used for a roundabout connecting South Stewart Street and South Curry Street. 

 
Title V: Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act (Passed House in 115th as H.R. 1107) 

• Establishes the Checkerboard Resolution Area in Pershing County and authorizes the sale or exchange of lands previously identified for disposal by the BLM in a streamlined manner. This encompasses approximately 356,100 acres of land to be exchanged at a 1:1 ratio. 
• Authorizes the sale of the surface estate to an owner of a mining claim, a mill site, or a tunnel site that exists in the Checkerboard Resolution Area on the date of enactment for fair market value. 

 
Title VI: Federal Shared Complex for BLM/USFS/USFWS/BOR (Washoe County) 

• Authorizes the establishment of a joint federal complex to be used by the BLM Nevada State office, USFS Humboldt-Toiyabe Headquarters, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and US Bureau of Reclamation. Allows for up to 10% of funds generated by bills included in this package to go towards costs. 

Title VII: Elko Nevada Economic Development Act 

• Transfers approx. 644 acres to the City of Elko for housing development. The lands surround existing housing subdivision, and will help alleviate the housing shortage in Elko. 
• Transfers approx. 3,500 acres to Elko County for housing development, expansion of lands surrounding the town of Jackpot, and expansion of a shooting range. 

 
Title VIII: Fernley Economic Development Act 

• Conveys approximately 12,085 acres of federal land, for fair market value, to the City of Fernley for economic development. Any gross proceeds from the sale shall be deposited into the existing SNPLMA special account. 

 
Title IX: Conveyances to the City of Sparks 

• Conveys approximately 40 acres to the City of Sparks to be used for a cemetery. 
• Conveys approximately 714 acres to the City of Sparks to be used for public parks. 

 

• Title X: General Provisions 
• Allows for the conveyance of federal lands that are leased, patented, or authorized as a right-of-way through R&PP to eligible entities. 
• Provides guidance on the use of surface estate sand and gravel for developments authorized through SNPLMA. 
• States no water rights shall be affected by this legislation. 
• Amends an existing conveyance of land from the BLM to Storey County to include approximately 40 additional acres. 

 
Title XI: Nevada GreenLink ROW Technical Correction 

• Maintains the existing ROW for NV Energy for the GreenLink Transmission Line on the eastern shore of Walker Lake, which was put into trust for the Walker River Paiute Tribe as part of the FRTC Modernization. 

Rep. Lee’s Amendment: 

Jean Prison Transfer 

• Transfers the reversionary interest of the Jean Prison site, approx. 480 acres, which is currently patented under R&PP to the State of Nevada, to the State. The State of Nevada intends to repurpose this land for economic development. 

Total acres of land conveyed, disposed of or transferred to state and local authority: Approximately 39,491 acres 
Total acres of land transferred to the Washoe Tribe: Approximately 2,669 acres 
Total Acres of Federal Land Authorized for Exchange in Pershing County as Checkerboard Resolution: Approximately 356,100 acres, netting 178,050 acres for potential disposal 
Total Acres Encompassed: 214,872 acres