BLM land acquired for beltway right of way

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 1998 | 10:16 a.m.

The Clark County Commission unanimously approved an agreement with the Bureau of Land Management that gives the county right of way for 2,000 acres of federal land for the Las Vegas Beltway.

County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury wasn't present for the vote which took place at Tuesday's meeting.

Under the agreement, Clark County will get the federal land valued at $57 million for the northern and western sections of the beltway.

The agreement gives the county 13 miles of right of way for almost nothing, except for some environmental assessment fees.

"The residents have a decrease in the cost of the beltway," Commissioner Mary Kincaid said. "And we're allowed to build it sooner."

The acquisition represents a major step toward the critical northwest piece of the Beltway, said County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury, who also chairs the Regional Transportation Commission.

The county does have to pay off-site mitigation fees in the amount of $550 for every acre of surface disturbed.