LV Springs plates to be available soon

Thursday, April 27, 2000 | 10:56 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The special motor vehicle license plates designed to raise money for the Las Vegas Springs Preserve in the heart of Las Vegas are about ready to be issued.

Kim Evans, spokeswoman for the state Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety, said the license plates will be "ready to go within a month." So far 482 people have requested them.

The law authorizing the plate allows the DMV to begin making them after 250 applications are received.

The DMV and the Las Vegas Valley Water District worked on the design of the plate, which was authorized by the 1999 Legislature. Motorists can buy the plate through the DMV for $60 plus the regular registration fee. The annual renewal fee is $30 over the regular fee.

The Las Vegas Springs Preserve Foundation plans to raise $54.5 million in private funds to preserve the 180-acre area, which is bordered by U.S. 95 on the north, Alta Drive on the south and Valley View Boulevard on the west.

Target date for completion of the restoration is 2005, in time for the Las Vegas centennial. The springs served as the major source of water for the city until Lake Mead water became available.

The 1999 law authorized the water district to establish and maintain a desert preserve to include exhibits demonstrating conservation, the use of water, horticulture or the history of Southern Nevada and other features associated with the topography, geology or history of Nevada.

The extra money received from the special license plates will go into the restoration fund.

Cy Ryan covers state government for the Sun. He can be reached at (775) 687-5032.