Amodei introduces bill to promote conservation, development in Pershing County, Nevada

Legislation recently introduced by U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) would promote economic development and better management of lands in Pershing County, Nevada.

The Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act, H.R. 5752, would discharge land controlled by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the county to foster economic development, designate specific wildlife areas on BLM land and return some wilderness study areas back to a multiple-use designation.

“This legislation is the result of a bottom-up approach, driven by Pershing County officials and local residents, who should be commended for balancing the critical issues inherent to our public lands in Nevada,” Amodei said. “By enacting meaningful reforms to resolve the issue of checkerboard lands, this bill increases the community’s private land base to provide more opportunities for economic growth, while ensuring long-term preservation of the county’s rural character through the disposal of appropriate federal lands.”

The federal government owns 75 percent of the land within Pershing County, which has prevented and stunted opportunities for economic growth in the area over the last decade.

“This measure is a win-win for Nevada both in terms of economic prosperity and conservation,” Amodei said.

The bill has been supported by the entire Nevada congressional delegation and was drafted after gleaning input from local stakeholders, industries and public officials.