‘A shot in arm’

Fri, Sep 18, 2009 (3 a.m.)

One of the most innovative and effective federal laws that has benefited Las Vegans is the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act. Since the law was enacted in 1998, proceeds from the sale of Bureau of Land Management acreage in Clark County have been used to improve parks and wildlife habitat and generate revenue for the Southern Nevada Water Authority and Nevada General Education Fund.

Good news was delivered earlier this month when Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, BLM Director Bob Abbey and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada announced that more than $135 million in proceeds from land sales would be spent in the state on a variety of restoration and improvement projects.

As reported by Nicole Lucht of In Business Las Vegas, this infusion of money has the potential to create thousands of jobs. The timing could not be better for a state that has been strapped with double-digit unemployment.

As Reid aptly stated: “These moneys are extremely important. Things are getting better here, but not fast enough. This will be a shot in the arm.”

The spending in Southern Nevada will include $7.3 million for parks and trail projects, $4.9 million for conservation initiatives, and a combined $2.1 million for capital improvements for Red Rock Canyon National Conversation Area and Hoover Dam.

These improvements not only will create jobs, but they will also improve the quality of life for Southern Nevadans who enjoy outdoor activities.

As Lucht reported, it remains unknown whether the state will ever match the record $936 million in proceeds it received in 2006 from the land sale program. Given the shaky economy, though, Nevadans should be thankful for the $135 million that they are receiving.