Preserves to benefit from sale of lands

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2002 | 11:09 a.m.

Interior Secretary Gale Norton has approved $109 million in funds raised by the sale of Bureau of Land Management parcels in Las Vegas for developing the Clark County Wetlands Park, the Las Vegas Preserve and miles of trails.

Under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1998, the BLM is authorized to sell land identified for disposal in the Las Vegas Valley. In turn, the proceeds are used to buy sensitive lands and pay for projects that benefit Nevada residents.

"The secretary approved 90 percent of the recommendations," said BLM State Director Bob Abbey. Norton, he said, asked the BLM to take another look at sensitive lands.

The BLM will accept nominations for more land acquisitions within Clark County for the next 30 days, Abbey said. Then federal representatives will review any new nominations and develop a recommendation for Norton.

Nearly $40 million of the total announced on Wednesday will be handed over to the local governments in Clark County to be used for developing parks, trails and natural areas in and around Las Vegas, Norton said.

Another $24 million will be used for capital improvements at the most popular federally managed destinations for outdoor recreation in Clark County. There will be improvements to picnic areas, campgrounds, trailheads and other visitor facilities at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, the Spring Mountain National Recreation Area and the Desert National Wildlife Refuge.

The balance of the approved funds, about $45 million, will be used to buy environmentally sensitive land in Clark County, including private parcels in the Spring Mountains and Red Rock Canyon. Norton also approved purchase of the Ballardini and McCarran ranches in Washoe and Storey counties.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., last month asked the BLM to put a hold on the list -- which initially included only 4 percent of land in Southern Nevada -- and re-evaluate whether more Clark County parcels should be included.

The rest of the funds benefit Nevada schools, the Southern Nevada Water Authority, and a special fund for use by the secretary.

The funds are the third round authorized by the act. A complete list of projects and land acquisitions can be found on the BLM Nevada website by clicking on "Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act at www.nv.blm.gov.