Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

House approves Red Rock swap

WASHINGTON -- The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill that would increase the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area by 1,071 acres.

The legislation, introduced by Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., arranges for a land swap: 998 acres of federal land would be handed to the Howard Hughes Corp. to expand Summerlin to the south. In exchange, the corporation would give 1,071 acres of picturesque canyonland on the eastern edge of the conservation area to the Bureau of Land Management.

The BLM would inherit pristine lands with archeological, scenic and recreational value, Gibbons argued on the House floor. The land swap has the support of Sens. John Ensign, R-Nev., and Harry Reid, D-Nev., as well as Clark County and Las Vegas officials, and several environmentalists, Gibbons told his colleagues.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said it was fortunate that Howard Hughes did not already develop the Red Rock land.

"Everyone who visits agrees that Red Rock Canyon must be protected in its natural state for future generations to come," Berkley said.

Only one person voiced concern during a brief discussion of the bill. Delegate Donna Christian-Christensen, D-Virgin Islands, said land swaps that averted auction -- and dollars for taxpayers -- were becoming too frequent in Nevada. She did not formally object to the legislation but sounded a warning, "These lands represent a significant economic resource."

But Gibbons said the land swap traded lands of near-equal value.

"This was the only way to save this (Red Rock) land," Gibbons said.

The bill also includes a provision that would convey another 1,250-acre parcel of BLM land to Clark County for a park. That land is adjacent to the 998 acres that would go to Hughes.

A Senate version of the legislation is wrapped in a broader Clark County land management bill advocated by Ensign and Reid. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee could approve the bill as early as Thursday.

Ensign today said he is optimistic the Senate would approve it before lawmakers wrap up legislative business this year.

archive