Wednesday, Dec. 18, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
Legislation that could reap $40 million to buy environmentally sensitive land in Nevada has been endorsed by the federal government and appears set for smooth sailing next year in Congress, its backers say.
Michael Dwyer, district manager for the Bureau of Land Management, voiced support Tuesday for legislation that would sell 14,000 acres of BLM land in Las Vegas to the highest bidder.
The agency will use the money to buy pristine land in Nevada and to build hiking trails and other improvements at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the Red Rock Canyon National Conversation Area and elsewhere.
"We like it," Dwyer said at a public lands task force meeting. "It allows us to try to retain environmental benefits for Southern Nevada."
Reworked version
The measure is a reworked version of legislation that failed in Congress during the session that ended in October.
But the sponsors, Rep. John Ensign, R-Nev., and Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., say it stands a better chance next year.
The reason is that a formula for dividing money from land sales has been changed. Also, a provision that would have given money to Utah for desert tortoise habitat was removed after objections from Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.
Last year's version would have split the proceeds evenly between the state of Nevada and the federal government.
The new version, which will be introduced in the House and Senate after Congress convenes next month, gives the federal government 85 percent.
While that seems like an unfair imbalance, it works well for Nevada because all of the money, which could exceed $40 million, will stay in-state, said Brent Heberlee, Bryan's legislative assistant.
The federal portion will buy sensitive land throughout the state but especially in Southern Nevada. A portion might be used to help construct more than 200 miles of hiking paths in the Las Vegas Valley.
Of the state's share, 10 percent is being set aside to address the valley's water needs, and the other 5 percent will boost education funding.
Ensign prompted a moment of levity during the meeting when he said he wants money to go toward Little League facilities and soccer fields.
He said he has a conflict in seeking that provision because his "4-year-old plays soccer."
Bryan said that could be addressed.
"Put a simple provision in saying Ensign's kids can't use the field," he joked.
Despite a lighthearted tone to some of the proceedings, possibly resulting from the sponsors' confidence in its success, the bill has had a rocky plight and is not guaranteed to pass.
Some hard feelings
The bill created hard feelings last year after Ensign accused Reid of killing it to undermine Ensign's re-election. Political observers have speculated that Ensign may challenge Reid in 1998.
Reid said he objected to money going to Utah for desert tortoise habitat. With that no longer a factor, Reid supports the bill.
Dwyer, the BLM manager, said the new version could include details that might raise eyebrows in Washington, D.C.
For instance, some local governments, such as North Las Vegas, are proposing that all of the BLM land in their jurisdiction -- in this case, about 7,500 acres -- be sold as one large plot. That argument is that city planners would be in a better position to control where parks, trails and other quality-of-life features are built if land isn't sold piece by piece.
Dwyer said that might lead to objections because the purpose of the land sale is to raise money for environmental protection and other needs. Parcels sold individually would raise more money than one large sale, he said.
Ensign and Bryan sought legislation last year after it came to light that taxpayers are losing millions under the BLM's land-exchange program.
As it stands now, the BLM exchanges urban property for pristine land that builders own in other areas. Critics say the exchange process gives developers premium land for an artificially low price. Developers then turn around and sell it for huge profits, critics say.
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