Editorial: Lands bill is a step forward

Sunday, March 19, 2000 | 9:35 a.m.

On nearly every environmental issue, Reps. Don Young, R-Alaska, and George Miller, D-Calif., are miles apart. Miller is a staunch environmentalist while Young, chairman of the House Resources Committee, almost always is allied with business interests, such as the timber and oil industries, that oppose pro-environment measures. What is amazing, then, is that this political odd couple has struck a compromise on landmark conservation legislation. Their bill in Congress would establish a trust fund of almost $3 billion a year for 15 years, the proceeds of which would come from the current federal royalties on offshore oil and gas drilling. This money would go to states and local governments to buy privately owned land, turning these lands into parks, recreation areas and wildlife habitats.

Most environmental legislation creates sharp divisions, but this bill has nearly 300 co-sponsors. Still, the bill hasn't been met with universal acclaim. Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., whose congressional district encompasses all of rural Nevada, agrees with several parts of the bill, including more money for wildlife restoration and dedicated funding for urban parks. Overall, though, Gibbons opposes the bill.

While this legislation may work in the East where there is much private property, Gibbons contends, he believes this is ominous for Nevada since almost 90 percent of the land in this state is owned by the federal government. For some rural counties in Nevada, where just 2 percent of the land is in private control, Gibbons adds that any further reduction in private lands would decrease the revenues local governments receive from property taxes. Gibbons also argues that the bill targets those private lands surrounded by federal lands, which means that Nevada landowners, many of whom come from longtime ranching families, could be vulnerable. Despite Gibbons' concerns about rural landowners being singled out, the legislation's acquisition program would be voluntary, seeking only willing sellers.

One of the biggest issues facing Southern Nevada is improving our quality of life, which currently is hindered by the lack of available parks and recreation areas. This legislation could aid state and local governments across the nation in acquiring land for such a genuinely deserving public purpose. This campaign-shortened legislative year in Congress will make it difficult for this legislation to get traction, but it is hoped that this bill is put on the front-burner so it has a reasonable chance of becoming law.