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

This bill is formally titled 'A bill to promote conservation, improve public land, and provide for sensible development in Douglas County, Nevada, and for other purposes.'

What does PURPOSE. of Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This Act aims to promote conservation. It intends to improve public land. The Act seeks to provide for sensible development in Douglas County, Nevada. The Act has other purposes as well.

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

This section defines terms used within the Act. “County” is defined as Douglas County, Nevada. “Map” refers to a specific map titled “Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act” dated March 25, 2026. “Public land” is defined according to section 103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. “Secretary concerned” refers to either the Secretary of Agriculture (for National Forest System land) or the Secretary of the Interior (for land managed by the Bureau of Land Management). “State” is defined as the State of Nevada. “Tribe” is defined as the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. “Wilderness” is defined as the Burbank Canyons Wilderness designated by section 301(a).

What does CONVEYANCE TO STATE OF NEVADA. of Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section authorizes the conveyance of approximately 67 acres of Forest Service land, generally known as "Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park," to the State of Nevada without consideration. The State is required to pay all costs associated with the conveyance, including surveys, appraisals, environmental response, restoration, and administrative costs. The conveyed land must be used for wildlife or natural resource conservation or as a public park. Facilities on the land must be consistent with these uses. The Secretary is required to meet disclosure requirements for hazardous substances but is not required to remediate or abate them. The Secretary may reserve access easements for roads and trails. Minor boundary adjustments and corrections to the map, acreage, or legal description are permitted. If the land is used inconsistently with the specified purposes, it may revert to the United States. The Secretary may impose additional terms and conditions to protect the interests of the United States.

What does CONVEYANCE TO DOUGLAS COUNTY, NEVADA. of Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section authorizes the conveyance of approximately 7,777 acres of Federal land in Douglas County, Nevada, to the County without consideration. The Federal land can only be used by the County for flood control, recreation, environmental quality, or other public purposes consistent with the Recreation and Public Purposes Act. The County is responsible for all costs associated with the conveyance, including surveys, appraisals, and environmental response. The Secretary concerned may reserve access easements for roads and trails in the deed. Minor boundary adjustments and corrections to the map or legal description are permitted with consultation from the County. The County may request to acquire the Federal reversionary interest in the land, subject to an appraisal and consistent land use. If the land is used inconsistently with its designated purposes, it may revert to the United States at the Secretary's discretion. The Secretary is not required to remediate or abate hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants on the land.

What does SALE OF CERTAIN FEDERAL LAND. of Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section outlines the sale of certain Federal land, described in subsection (b), to qualified bidders. The Secretary concerned must conduct sales within a practicable timeframe after enactment, generally overriding sections 202 and 203 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. The land includes approximately 31.5 acres depicted as 'Lands for Disposal' on a map, and other Federal land selected jointly with the County. The County and Secretary must jointly select parcels for potential disposal. Before a sale, the County must certify that qualified bidders will comply with local zoning ordinances and master plans. The Secretary may make minor boundary adjustments and correct errors in descriptions. Access easements for roads and trails may be reserved in the deed at the Secretary’s discretion. The Secretary must disclose information about hazardous substances but is not required to remediate or abate them. Sales must be conducted through a competitive bidding process for not less than fair market value. The State or County may elect to obtain the land for public purposes within 30 days before a sale, under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act. The Federal land is withdrawn from certain forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal, with termination occurring upon sale or within two years if not sold. Proceeds from the sale are distributed: 5% to the State for education, 10% to the County for budgeting, and 85% to a 'Douglas County Special Account' for specified purposes.

What does OPEN SPACE RECREATION AREA. of Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to convey approximately 1,084 acres of Federal land, depicted as the 'Open Space Recreation Area' on a map, to a County without consideration. The County is responsible for covering all costs associated with the conveyance, including surveys, appraisals, environmental response and restoration, and administrative costs. The conveyed land cannot be disposed of by the County. The Secretary of Agriculture can make minor boundary adjustments and correct minor errors in the map, acreage estimate, or legal description. The Secretary of Agriculture may reserve access easements for roads and trails as a condition of the conveyance. The Secretary of Agriculture can impose additional terms and conditions to protect the interests of the United States. The Secretary of Agriculture must meet disclosure requirements for hazardous substances but is not required to remediate or abate environmental hazards or remove improvements. If the land is used inconsistently with the section's purpose, the Secretary of Agriculture has the discretion to revert the land to the United States.

What does TRANSFER OF LAND TO BE HELD IN TRUST FOR TRIBE. of Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section outlines the transfer of approximately 2,669 acres of land to be held in trust for the Washoe Tribe. Federal land (approximately 2,470 acres) will be transferred to the Secretary of the Interior and held in trust for the Tribe, becoming part of the Tribe's reservation. Non-Federal land (199 acres) may be conveyed to the Secretary of the Interior without consideration and will also be held in trust for the Tribe and become part of the reservation. The Secretary of the Interior is required to complete a cadastral survey and publish a legal description of the trust land in the Federal Register. The trust land is not eligible for class II or class III gaming. The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Tribe, may conduct fuel reduction and landscape restoration activities on the trust land, including habitat restoration for species of concern. Existing water rights are not affected by this section.

What does ADDITION TO NATIONAL WILDERNESS PRESERVATION SYSTEM. of Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act do?

This section designates approximately 12,392 acres of Bureau of Land Management land as the Burbank Canyons Wilderness, adding it to the National Wilderness Preservation System. The boundary of the Burbank Canyons Wilderness, where bordering a road, shall be at least 100 feet from the road's centerline to ensure public access. The Secretary concerned is required to prepare a map and legal description of the Wilderness as soon as practicable after the Act's enactment. The map and legal description will have the same legal effect as being included in the Act itself, with the Secretary having the authority to correct minor errors. The Wilderness is withdrawn from entry, appropriation, disposal under public land laws, mining activities, and mineral/geothermal leasing. A copy of the map and legal description will be available for public inspection at Bureau of Land Management offices.

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

This section outlines the administration of the Wilderness area, referencing the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.). Grazing of livestock previously established is permitted, subject to regulations aligning with the Wilderness Act and guidelines in House Report 101-405. Land acquired by the United States within the Wilderness boundaries will be added to and administered as part of the Wilderness. The designation of the Wilderness is not intended to create buffer zones or restrict nonwilderness activities visible or audible from within the Wilderness. Military overflights, including low-level flights, flight testing, and airspace designations, are not restricted by this title. Existing airstrips within 5 miles of the Wilderness boundary do not restrict low-level overflights. The Secretary concerned can take measures for wildfire, insect, and disease management, coordinating with state or local agencies as appropriate. The Secretary concerned may authorize installation and maintenance of collection devices for hydrologic, meteorologic, or climatological data, if deemed essential and subject to prescribed terms. Congress finds the Wilderness is located in a semiarid region with limited upstream water resource facilities and opportunities for water diversion. This section aims to protect the Wilderness's values without establishing a federally reserved water right. The United States does not reserve any water rights within the Wilderness, and existing water rights are unaffected. New water resource facilities within the Wilderness area are generally prohibited, except as otherwise provided in the title.

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Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act

Last updated: 3/25/2026 · Introduced: 3/25/2026

Author: Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill authorizes the conveyance of approximately 67 acres of Forest Service land to the State of Nevada for wildlife conservation or public park use, requiring the State to cover associated costs.
The bill allows for the transfer of roughly 7,777 acres of federal land to Douglas County, Nevada, for flood control, recreation, and other public purposes, with the County responsible for conveyance costs.
Certain federal land, around 31.5 acres, is designated for sale through a competitive bidding process, with proceeds distributed to the State, Douglas County, and a special Douglas County account.
Approximately 12,392 acres of Bureau of Land Management land are designated as the Burbank Canyons Wilderness, adding it to the National Wilderness Preservation System and restricting certain activities.
The bill facilitates the transfer of approximately 2,669 acres of federal land to be held in trust for the Washoe Tribe, expanding the Tribe’s reservation and restricting gaming activities on the land.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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