A House committee approved a bill on Wednesday that was introduced by U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) to enable six tribes in Nevada to hold public lands in trust.
The House Natural Resources Committee approved the Nevada Native Nations Land Act, H.R. 2733, which Amodei introduced to provide more opportunities for economic development and protection of natural resources in the regions.
“(Wednesday’s) vote puts us one step closer to placing Nevada public lands back into local control — rather than in the hands of Washington bureaucrats,” Amodei said. “My bill carefully balances the unique needs of our Nevada tribal nations with those of local ranchers, land owners and businesses.”
Under the bill, the Fort McDermitt Paiute Shoshone Tribe would transfer approximately 19,094 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land to be held in trust. The move would resolve checkerboard land issues and address law enforcement and emergency management issues there.
The Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation would transfer approximately 82 acres of U.S. Forest Service land in Elko County, Nevada, to the trust for housing and infrastructure development.
“These lands will enable the tribes to chart brighter futures for their communities and preserve their cultural heritage and traditions,” Amodei said. “I’m pleased to see the committee move this important piece of legislation, and I look forward to the full House passing this bill as soon as possible.”
Also under the bill, the Summit Lake Paiute Tribe would transfer approximately 941 acres of BLM land to be held in trust to protect natural resources and fish populations.
The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, meanwhile, would transfer approximately 13,434 acres of BLM land to be held in trust for the creation of a safety buffer around the Hungry Valley community.
Additionally, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe would transfer 6,357 acres of BLM land to be held in trust, while the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe would transfer approximately 31,269 acres of BLM land.