What does Preamble of Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This bill is formally titled 'A bill to provide for conservation and economic development in the State of Nevada, and for other purposes.'

What does DEFINITIONS. of Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section defines terms used within the Act. “County” is defined as Clark County, Nevada. A “Federal incidental take permit” is a permit issued under the Endangered Species Act to the Nevada Department of Transportation, Clark County, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, or Mesquite. “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of the Interior. “Secretary concerned” refers to either the Secretary of the Interior (for Bureau of Land Management land) or the Secretary of Agriculture (for National Forest System land). “State” is defined as the State of Nevada.

What does TRANSFER OF LAND TO BE HELD IN TRUST FOR THE MOAPA BAND OF of Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section concerns the transfer of approximately 44,950 acres of land to be held in trust for the Moapa Band of Paiutes. The land, currently administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation, is described on a map dated November 14, 2024. The transfer is subject to existing rights-of-way for water, wastewater, and electric facilities. The United States will reserve electric transmission corridor rights-of-way, administered by the Secretary, with payments for these rights-of-way benefiting the Tribe. Within 60 days of enactment, the Secretary must complete a survey to establish the land's boundaries. Land taken into trust under this section is not eligible for Class II or Class III gaming. Federal reserved water rights will not be created for the transferred land, but the Tribe retains any existing water rights under state law.

What does TRIBAL FEE LAND TO BE HELD IN TRUST. of Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section directs that land held by the Tribe, as described in subsection (b), be held in trust by the United States for the Tribe's benefit. The land is to be considered part of the Tribe's reservation. The land in question is approximately 196 acres, depicted on a map titled 'Southern Nevada Land Management' dated November 14, 2024. The Secretary must complete a survey within 180 days of the Act's enactment to define the boundaries of the land.

What does TRANSFER OF LAND TO BE HELD IN TRUST FOR THE LAS VEGAS PAIUTE of Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section transfers approximately 3,156 acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management to the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe. The transferred land will be held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Tribe and become part of the Tribe’s reservation. A survey must be completed within 180 days of the Act's enactment to establish the land's boundaries. As a condition of the transfer, the Tribe must grant a 300-foot-wide right-of-way to a qualified electric utility for renewable energy transmission facilities. Land taken into trust under this section is not eligible for Class II or Class III gaming. This section does not affirm or deny Federal reserved water rights, but the Tribe retains any water rights under State law. The implementation of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe and the City of Las Vegas is not affected by this section. Section 3092 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 is amended.

What does DEFINITION OF PUBLIC PARK UNDER THE RED ROCK CANYON NATIONAL of Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section amends the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Protection and Enhancement Act of 2002. Paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of Section 102 are redesignated as paragraphs (2), (4), and (5), respectively. A new definition of 'associated supportive use' is added, defining it as a use that supports the overall function and enjoyment of a public park. A new definition of 'public park' is added, including land developed or managed by a partnership between Clark County, Nevada, and a private entity for recreational uses and associated supportive uses, even if fees are required.

What does RED ROCK CANYON NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA BOUNDARY of Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section amends Section 3(a) of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Establishment Act of 1990. The amendment strikes paragraph (2) of the existing section. It replaces the struck paragraph with a new paragraph defining the conservation area's size as approximately 253,950 acres. The conservation area's boundaries are generally depicted on a map titled `Southern Nevada Land Management` dated November 14, 2024.

What does LAND DISPOSAL AND PUBLIC PURPOSE CONVEYANCES. of Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section amends Section 4(a) of the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1998, extending the deadline to November 14, 2024, and authorizing the Secretary and Clark County to jointly nominate up to 25,000 acres for addition to the disposal boundary. It clarifies that the Secretary may authorize the movement and disposal of sand and gravel on surface estates acquired under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1998 and the Clark County Conservation of Public Land and Natural Resources Act of 2002. The Secretary is required to offer an agreement to Clark County within 180 days of the Act’s enactment, allowing the County to implement immediate management modifications to protect public health and safety on land conveyed under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act. Section 7(b) of the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1998 is amended to prioritize review of applications for affordable housing and establishes a 180-day deadline for review by the Secretary (and HUD, if applicable).

What does REVOCATION OF IVANPAH AREA OF CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN of Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section revokes portions of the Ivanpah Area of Critical Environmental Concern designation not included within newly designated Special Management Areas. Nine Special Management Areas are established in Clark County, Nevada, administered by the Bureau of Land Management, each comprising a specific acreage as detailed in the text. The purposes of these Special Management Areas are to conserve, protect, and enhance cultural, archaeological, natural, and other resources for present and future generations. The Secretary of the Interior is responsible for managing these areas, ensuring protection of species covered by the Clark County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan and adhering to existing laws. Uses within the Special Management Areas must be consistent with their established purposes. Motorized vehicle use is restricted to designated roads and routes, and no new roads are permitted after the Act's enactment. The Secretary will prepare maps and legal descriptions of each Special Management Area, which will have the force of law. The management plan for the Special Management Areas will be developed within one year of the County receiving an amended incidental take permit. Existing transportation and utility corridors within the Special Management Areas are addressed, allowing for ongoing maintenance and potential realignment of corridors under specific conditions. The Act clarifies that nothing prevents or interferes with the construction or operation of the Ivanpah Valley Airport or the Airport Environs Overlay District.

What does RELATIONSHIP TO THE CLARK COUNTY MULTIPLE SPECIES HABITAT of Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section outlines the relationship between this Act and the Clark County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. Upon receiving a complete application for an amendment to a Federal incidental take permit and an amended Clark County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan, the Secretary is required to take certain actions. The Secretary may credit approximately 358,954 acres of Special Management Areas as mitigation for additional incidental take impacts. The Secretary can extend the Clark County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan and Federal incidental take permit for the maximum authorized duration. This Act does not limit, alter, modify, or amend the Clark County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.

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Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act

Last updated: 12/2/2025 · Introduced: 3/12/2025

Author: Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill transfers approximately 44,950 acres of land to be held in trust for the Moapa Band of Paiutes, with the United States reserving electric transmission corridor rights-of-way.
It designates the peak of Frenchman Mountain as 'Maude Frazier Mountain' and establishes nine Special Management Areas in Clark County, Nevada, to conserve and protect cultural, archaeological, natural, and other resources.
The bill conveys federal land to various entities, including the City of Boulder City, the City of Mesquite, Clark County, and the Moapa Valley Water District, for purposes such as public safety, wildfire response, and water infrastructure development.
It establishes four off-highway vehicle recreation areas in Nevada, encompassing approximately 13,050 to 43,775 acres each, and requires the Secretary to develop comprehensive management plans for each area.
The bill authorizes the construction of six erosion control weirs on the lower Las Vegas Wash within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and requires the Secretary to amend the Las Vegas Resource Management Plan to allow for the design and construction of flood control facilities.

119th Congressin committeeS. 392(In Committee)Official page

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