WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) announced their re-introduction of the Lander County Land Management and Conservation Act, legislation that would convey land to Lander County, Nevada for improving its airports, accessing water infrastructure, and economic development, and also designate over 14,000 acres of wilderness, and the Carson City Public Land Correction Act, legislation that would promote conservation, improve public lands management, and expand economic development opportunities in Carson City, Nevada.
“In Nevada, we recognize the importance of finding common ground between our state’s conservation needs and efforts to grow and develop our communities,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m proud to have consulted with a diverse range of stakeholders – including Nevada’s local governments, environmental groups, businesses, and land users – to craft these two important pieces of legislation. These proposals reflect years of efforts to identify a select number of parcels to be used to develop future residential areas, improve water infrastructure and transportation projects, as well as improve public safety, public parks and wilderness areas, and tourism opportunities in northern Nevada. I will continue working with stakeholders, including our business community and environmental advocates, on commonsense solutions that help Nevada’s economy grow while also protecting our outdoor spaces for future generations.”
“We need to make sure Nevada’s rural communities are able to access land for community enhancement and economic development, while also protecting our public spaces for outdoor recreation and conservation purposes,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This legislation will give Carson City and Lander County, their local business communities, conservation groups, and other local partners the tools they need to provide for a sustainable future.”
“The County applauds Senator Rosen and Cortez Masto for their leadership in the introduction of the Lander County Land Management and Conservation Act,” said Bartolo Ramos, County Manager of Lander County. “We thank the Senators and their team for the work they are doing to further the conservation and economic development opportunities in Lander County and throughout Nevada.”
“We applaud Senator Rosen for her leadership to protect portions of the Desatoya Mountains and Cain Mountain as Wilderness, adding these important ecological, scenic and historic areas to the National Conservation Lands and moving us closer to the national goal of conserving 30% of the planet by 2030,” said Bertha Gutierrez, Associate Program Director in Nevada, Conservation Lands Foundation.
“Portions of the Desatoya Mountains and Cain Mountain Wilderness areas would be designated as Wilderness in this bill,” said Shaaron Netherton, Executive Director of Friends of Nevada Wilderness. “These are two of wild Nevada’s most scenic and iconic mountain ranges. We are grateful for the leadership of Senator Rosen moving this bill forward that would secure permanent protections for these important wild areas.”
“I want to thank Senator Rosen and Senator Cortez Masto for introducing the Carson City Public Land Correction Act,” said Lori Bagwell, Mayor of Carson City. “This Act will provide technical corrections that have been identified by the City since the passage of the Omnibus Public Lands Act of 2009. The requested technical corrections will allow the City to perform flood mitigation measures to protect resident and business properties, enhance and protect property for open space and recreation, and provide the vital connection of Stewart Street and Curry Street with the addition of the 4th leg of the South Carson Street roundabout. I want to thank the entire Nevada Congressional Delegation and their staff for their guidance and support throughout the process.”
BACKGROUND: Specifically, the Lander County Land Management and Conservation Act would:
- Convey over 1,000 acres to the County to improve Austin Airport, Kingston Airport, and Battle Mountain Airport;
- Convey over 4,500 acres to the County to improve access to water resources throughout the county;
- Convey about 240 acres to the County for a museum, historical society, and business development;
- Help provide for a dedicated park committed to protecting and continuing the success of the Battle Mountain Human Powered Vehicle Speed Challenge, allowing the “World Human Powered Speed Challenge” and other World Record attempts to advance to the next level of competition; and
- Designate over 14,100 acres of new wilderness areas: Desatoya Mountain Wilderness (7,766 acres) and Cain Mountain Wilderness (6,386 acres).
Specifically, the Carson City Public Land Correction Act would:
- Convey approximately 258 acres of BLM land to Carson City for public purposes and flood management;
- Allow for disposal, at market value, of approximately 21 acres of Carson City land and 28 acres of BLM land for future residential development;
- Convey approximately 0.45 acres of U.S. Forest Service land to Carson City to be used for a roundabout connecting South Stewart Street and South Curry Street;
- Remove reversionary interests on land already held by Carson City to allow for a safety buffer, local school, and continued use of a golf course and park; and
- And allow for any proceeds from land sales or conveyances to help fund conservation efforts, support Carson City education programs, and help acquire environmentally sensitive land.
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