Fossils, plants keys to NLV expansion plans

Eric Leake

Thursday, Feb. 3, 2005 | 9:55 a.m.

North Las Vegas plans to develop 2,300 acres north of the city but first must decide what to do with rare plants and fossils recently found there.

On Wednesday, the City Council decided to spend $75,100 to hire California-based consulting firm Entrix to help resolve environmental concerns on the property.

Fossils and the rare Las Vegas bearpoppy and buckwheat plants were found on the site, which is located between the Las Vegas Beltway and Grand Teton Drive west of Losee Road.

"Right now we're analyzing the issues, seeing what's out there, and understanding the habitat under which these botanicals grow," said North Las Vegas Economic Development Manager Michael Majewski.

The consulting firm is expected to help create guidelines that will address environmental concerns while also allowing for development.

Majewski said such guidelines could include protecting the plants and fossils or managing the areas around them. The plan could also possibly include relocating the plants.

"We understand that there needs to be a balance between growth and the environment," he said.

The environmental plan will have to be accepted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Division of Forestry and the Bureau of Land Management, which owns the land.

The city withheld the property from the BLM land auction Wednesday due to the concerns.

Majewski said he will meet with consultant firm Monday and that a draft of the environmental plan could be completed by May.