What does Preamble of Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To promote conservation, improve public land management, and provide for sensible development in Pershing County, Nevada, and for other purposes,' aims to promote conservation. The bill also seeks to improve public land management. It intends to provide for sensible development in Pershing County, Nevada.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section defines terms used within the Act. “Appropriate congressional committees” are defined as the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Natural Resources. “County” is defined as Pershing County, Nevada. “Eligible land” refers to Bureau of Land Management land within the “Checkerboard Lands Resolution Area” designated for disposal through the Winnemucca Consolidated Resource Management Plan or subsequent amendments, and also includes land identified as “Additional Lands Eligible for Disposal,” excluding encumbered land. “Encumbered land” is defined as Bureau of Land Management land within the “Checkerboard Lands Resolution Area” that is encumbered by mining claims, millsites, or tunnel sites. The “Map” is specifically identified as “Pershing County Checkerboard Lands Resolution” dated July 8, 2024. A “qualified entity” is the owner of a mining claim, millsite, or tunnel site on encumbered land, or a successor in interest. “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of the Interior. “State” is defined as the State of Nevada. “Wilderness area” is defined as a wilderness area designated by section 201(a).

What does FINDINGS. of Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section outlines findings related to land management challenges in a checkerboard area created by the Pacific Railway Act of 1862. The checkerboard land pattern, consisting of alternating public and private land, has reportedly caused frustration for the County government, private landowners, and the Federal Government. Federal land management agencies find managing land in this area costly and difficult. The appraised value of land parcels within the checkerboard area is considered to be relatively consistent. Consolidation of land through sales and exchanges is proposed to improve the County's tax base and simplify Federal land management.

What does SALE OR EXCHANGE OF ELIGIBLE LAND. of Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section authorizes the Secretary to conduct sales or exchanges of 'eligible land' as depicted on a Map, subject to certain exceptions within the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. The Secretary and the County must jointly select parcels of eligible land for sale or exchange after providing public notice. Sales of eligible land must be consistent with specific sections of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, conducted through a competitive bidding process, and for not less than fair market value. The Secretary is directed to offer exchanges of eligible land for private land within one year of the Act's enactment. If the values of the eligible land and private land differ in an exchange, equalization payments or adjustments to the land being exchanged are required. The Secretary should prioritize acquiring private land in higher-value natural resource areas. The Secretary must conduct mass appraisals of eligible land every five years and make the results publicly available. The Secretary must offer parcels of eligible land for sale or exchange within 90 days of joint selection, though this can be postponed for ecological or safety reasons. Parcels of eligible land selected for sale or exchange are withdrawn from certain public land laws and leasing activities. The Secretary must finalize maps and legal descriptions of the eligible land and allow public inspection.

What does SALE OF ENCUMBERED LAND. of Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section authorizes the Secretary to convey the United States' remaining interest in encumbered land to qualified entities for fair market value. The conveyance is subject to valid existing rights held by third parties and must occur within 90 days of the Act's enactment. Qualified entities must pay all costs associated with the conveyance, including surveys and administrative expenses. The Secretary must accept a fair market value offer within 180 days of receiving it from a qualified entity. Fair market value will be determined by an appraisal following the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. The Secretary must convey the land within 180 days of accepting an offer and completing a sale. Upon conveyance, prior interests in locatable minerals and surface use for mineral purposes will merge with the qualified entity's fee simple title.

What does DISPOSITION OF PROCEEDS. of Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section outlines the disposition of proceeds from land sales. Five percent of the proceeds are disbursed to the State for its general education program. Ten percent is disbursed to the County for use determined through its budgeting procedures. The remaining proceeds are deposited into the 'Pershing County Special Account'. The Secretary, in consultation with the County, can use funds from the special account to acquire land for wilderness protection, environmental preservation, public access, or management of 'Checkerboard Lands Resolution Area'. Funds can also reimburse the Secretary for costs related to land sales or exchanges. Interest earned on the special account is determined by the Secretary of the Treasury and can be expended. The Secretary must submit reports to the State, County, and Congress every five years detailing the special account's operation, including deposits, expenditures, recommendations, and the account balance.

What does ADDITIONS TO THE NATIONAL WILDERNESS PRESERVATION SYSTEM. of Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section designates several parcels of Federal land as wilderness areas and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The designated wilderness areas include Cain Mountain, Bluewing, Selenite Peak, Mount Limbo, North Sahwave, Grandfathers, and Fencemaker. These areas are managed by the Bureau of Land Management and encompass a total of approximately 147,792 acres. The boundary of any wilderness area bordering a road is defined as 100 feet from the road's centerline. The Secretary is required to file maps and legal descriptions of each wilderness area shortly after the Act's enactment. These maps and descriptions will have the same legal effect as if included in the Act, with the Secretary able to correct clerical errors. The designated wilderness areas are withdrawn from various activities including entry, appropriation, disposal under public land laws, mining activities, and mineral/geothermal leasing. The designations are made 'in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.)'.

What does ADMINISTRATION. of Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section outlines the administration of wilderness areas, directing the Secretary to manage them according to the Wilderness Act. Livestock grazing established before the Act's enactment is permitted to continue under specific regulations. Land acquired within wilderness area boundaries after the Act's enactment will be added to and administered as part of the area. The designation of wilderness areas is not intended to create buffer zones or restrict non-wilderness activities outside the boundaries. Military overflights, including low-level flights and flight testing, are not restricted by this title. The Secretary is authorized to manage wildfires, insects, and diseases within the wilderness areas, coordinating with state or local agencies as appropriate. The Secretary may authorize the installation and maintenance of data collection devices for flood warning and water management purposes. This section addresses water rights, finding the wilderness areas are generally unsuitable for new water resource facilities and clarifying that the Act does not reserve water rights or affect existing ones. The development of new water resource facilities within the wilderness areas is restricted, with an exception for wildlife guzzlers. Temporary telecommunications devices may be placed in the Selenite Peak Wilderness for law enforcement or administrative purposes, subject to specific requirements and a 7-year limit.

What does WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT. of Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section addresses wildlife management within wilderness areas. It clarifies that nothing in the title affects or diminishes the jurisdiction of states regarding fish and wildlife management, including hunting, fishing, and trapping. The Secretary is authorized to conduct management activities to maintain or restore fish and wildlife populations and habitats, consistent with wilderness management plans and the Wilderness Act. Certain activities, such as the occasional use of motorized vehicles for noxious weed treatment or promoting wildlife distribution, are permitted if deemed necessary by the Secretary. States may continue using aircraft for wildlife surveys, capture, transplant, monitoring, and water provision, consistent with existing policies. The Secretary may authorize wildlife water development projects, like guzzlers, if they enhance wilderness values and minimize visual impacts. The Secretary can designate areas where hunting, fishing, or trapping are prohibited for public safety, administration, or legal compliance, consulting with state agencies beforehand. The State may conduct wildlife management activities in wilderness areas under a cooperative agreement with the Secretary, such as the 'Wildlife Management in Nevada BLM Wilderness Areas' agreement signed in September 2024.

What does RELEASE OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS. of Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section addresses the release of certain wilderness study areas from further consideration for wilderness designation. Approximately 48,600 acres within the China Mountain, Mt. Limbo, Selenite Mountains, and Tobin Range wilderness study areas, as well as a portion of the Augusta Mountains wilderness study area, are subject to this release. Congress finds that these areas have been adequately studied for wilderness designation under section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. The released public land is no longer subject to section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. The land shall be managed according to applicable land use plans adopted under section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.

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Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act

Last updated: 12/2/2025 · Introduced: 3/27/2025

Author: Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill authorizes the sale or exchange of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land within Pershing County, Nevada, prioritizing acquisitions of private land with natural resources and requiring fair market value assessments.
The bill directs the conveyance of remaining U.S. interests in encumbered BLM land to qualified entities, ensuring fair market value payments and merging prior mineral rights with the new ownership.
Proceeds from land sales will be distributed, with a portion allocated to Nevada’s general education program, Pershing County, and a special account for conservation and land management initiatives.
Approximately 147,792 acres of federal land are designated as wilderness areas within the National Wilderness Preservation System, restricting certain activities while allowing existing livestock grazing and military overflights.
The bill releases approximately 48,600 acres from further wilderness study designation, allowing for management under existing land use plans and clarifying that Native American treaty rights and traditional pine nut collection are not affected.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, definitions..

2 sections

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TITLE I

-CHECKERBOARD LAND RESOLUTION

4 sections

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TITLE II

-WILDERNESS AREAS

5 sections

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TITLE III

-TRIBAL TRUST LAND

1 section

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