Feds consider ways to spend land-sale funds

Thursday, March 20, 2003 | 8:17 a.m.

Federal land management agencies in Nevada are asking for public comment on how to spend $296 million raised from Las Vegas land sales.

The sales are authorized under the 1998 Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act, directing the Bureau of Land Management to sell public land in the Las Vegas area to the highest bidder at public auction.

The public can comment on round four of the process until May 19.

The first listing includes a total of 51 properties statewide, BLM Nevada Director Bob Abbey said.

Once the public comments are received, regional directors of the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the BLM will meet to consider a final list to present to Interior Secretary Gale Norton, who will make the final decision, Abbey said.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., praised the proposed land acquisitions, especially plans to set aside $6 million for cleaning up desert property and $91 million for enhancing parks, trails and natural areas in Southern Nevada.

Ensign, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and former Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., proposed and supported the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act.

"The desert cleanup recommendation is especially important for Nevada," Ensign said. "It is crucial that we keep our deserts from being marred with litter and used as dumping grounds."