A northern Nevada lands package spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) on Nov. 20 cleared the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee and awaits action by the U.S. House Agriculture Committee before heading to the full chamber for consideration.
The Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act, H.R. 3173, which Rep. Amodei sponsored in May 2023, would provide for the designation, withdrawal, conveyance, exchange, sale, or disposal of certain lands in Nevada, according to the congressional record bill summary.
“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. Amodei. “This common-sense 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,” Rep. Amodei added.
Specifically, H.R. 3173 would permit the conveyance of federal lands to specified counties and cities, and to the Incline Village General Improvement District, for public purposes and economic development.
For instance, title I of the bill would transfer about 67 acres to the State of Nevada to be used for state parks; convey approximately 7,777 acres to Douglas County, Nev., for flood management and public purposes; and transfer roughly 2,669 acres to the Washoe Tribe, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Amodei’s staff.
Further, the bill would designate specific parcels of federal land as wilderness and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System; and would establish a federal complex for specified Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs offices or headquarters in Nevada. H.R. 3173 also includes provisions regarding tribal cultural resources, according to the summary.
“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,” said Rep. Amodei.