Bill would provide land for heliport

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Tuesday, March 16, 2004 | 11:15 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Concerns about helicopter flights from the Las Vegas Valley to the Grand Canyon could be relieved by a bill to be introduced today by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.

The bill would convey 230 acres to Clark County to create a heliport and require that flights over the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area avoid sensitive cultural areas and wildlife.

A Reid aide said the bill gives the option of using federal land three miles south of the existing proposed site. He said the senator is concerned about protecting Native American petroglyphs in the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, so the bill would regulate flight paths over the site.

County commissioners approved an area about two miles south of Sloan for a heliport, although an exact location has not be determined. The heliport is expected to open by 2008.

Resident of the nearby Sun City Anthem neighborhood have opposed plans for a heliport.