WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted to advance Senator Jacky Rosen’s (D-NV) Truckee Meadows Public Lands Management Act out of committee. The bill, commonly referred to as the Washoe County Lands Bill, will expand local economic and housing development opportunities, support Tribal communities, and protect public lands and outdoor recreation.
“As Washoe County continues to grow, I’ve been working with local leaders and stakeholders on a bill to make more federal land available for responsible development to help meet our housing and economic needs, while at the same time protecting our public lands,” dijo el Senador Rosen. “I’m thrilled that my Washoe County Lands Bill has advanced out of committee and is one step closer to increasing affordable housing opportunities, promoting economic development, boosting conservation, and supporting Tribal communities. I’ll keep pushing to pass it into law.”
“I believe the Truckee Meadows Public Lands Management Act is the single largest federal priority for the City of Sparks, Washoe County, and Reno areas,” said Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson. “We are so grateful to Senator Rosen for supporting this important initiative that will have a significant impact for our region as we address land development, affordable housing, and protection of our outdoor spaces for future generations.”
“I’m so glad to see that the Washoe County Lands Bill has advanced out of committee in the United States Senate today,” said Alexis Hill, Chair of the Washoe County Board of Commissioners. “Washoe County has been working with Senator Rosen every step of the way, and we are grateful to her for listening to our local needs and advocating on our behalf. This bill is critical for conservation of our federal lands and sustainable future growth of our region, and we’ll continue working with Senator Rosen to see that it becomes law.”
“Friends of Nevada Wilderness is grateful for Senator Rosen’s continued efforts to move the Truckee Meadows Public Lands Management Act forward,” said Shaaron Netherton, Executive Director of Friends of Nevada Wilderness. “This bill resolved the issues with BLM’s remaining wilderness study areas in Washoe County, changing some to National Conservation Areas with less stringent management based on years working with stakeholders to find common sense boundaries.”
“The Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce is pleased to see this legislation pass a vital milestone,” said Ann Silver, Chief Executive Officer of the Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce. “The TMPLMA provides a pathway for communities to develop much-needed, more affordable housing, expands land uses that can be managed, and conserves pristine areas in northern Nevada that residents highly value and can use for recreation and relaxation.”
For years, Senator Rosen has been working with a wide range of stakeholders across Washoe County to develop this comprehensive legislation. Last year, Senator Rosen unveiled a working draft of the bill and collected feedback from hundreds of Nevadans during a public comment period, which she then incorporated into this legislation that she introduced earlier this year. She also called on committee leadership to hold a legislative hearing on the bill. The bill has received the support of various local government officials, conservation advocates, and business leaders.
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