Land sale may spur valley boom in parks

Suzanne Struglinski

Wednesday, April 14, 2004 | 11:01 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Southern Nevada could see 29 new parks and recreation projects if an upcoming public land sale brings in the $223 million needed to develop them.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., has recommended that $223 million raised through the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act be used for the proposed projects now being considered by the Bureau of Land Management.

This marks the largest funding recommendation for parks and recreation, more than the past four years combined, Ensign said. Ensign, when he was a House member, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and former Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., created the act in 1998 as a way of raising money for parks and trails.

The funding recommendation is a step in the fifth round of money to be spent from the funds collected. Interior Secretary Gale Norton needs to give final approval on the projects before money can be spent.

Kirsten Cannon, public affairs specialist for the BLM office in Las Vegas, said the 29 parks, trails and natural areas will be based on $440 million from an upcoming sale in June and money paid by developers to participate in another sale in November.

Just over 2,500 acres will be up for sale at a BLM auction planned for June 2. The public can comments on the proposed sale until May 21. The November auction has not been scheduled.

Proceeds from the auctions are not guaranteed, however. Some 1,940 acres in Henderson that will be for sale in June failed to sell during an auction last November. The appraised value and opening bid for the parcel is $250 million.

If all of the parcels sell as planned, $309.7 million would be raised.

Ensign announced his proposal Tuesday at the site of one of the parks proposed on the list, the future Amador Vista Park near Valle Verde Drive and Horizon Ridge Parkway in Henderson. The park would need $2.1 million of the recommended funds, according to BLM.

Under the act a boundary was drawn around the valley and property within the boundary identified for sale. The Bureau of Land Management auctions its disposal lands to the highest bidder, consulting with local governments on the parcels to be sold.

Proceeds from the land auctions go into a special fund to buy environmentally sensitive lands, build parks and trails and initiate capital improvements in the area. Funds are also allocated for water improvements and to the state's general education fund.

Since 1998 the BLM has generated more than $690 million by selling 5,635 acres of public land, according to the Bureau. Of this $630 million has been spent with $155 million going to parks, trails and natural areas. Another $207 million was spent to buy environmentally sensitive lands, $153 million on capital improvements, and $100 million on other conservation measures.

Projects recommended for funding from BLM land sales: