Thursday, March 16, 2023 | 5:34 p.m.
The U.S. Department of the Interior announced today that it will give Clark County over $75 million in funding for three Las Vegas-area recreational facilities and an additional $3.5 million to support the county’s Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan.
Through the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act, more than $417 million will be committed to 47 projects dedicated to recreation improvement, wildlife habitat conservation, hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire prevention and other purposes throughout Nevada and the California side of the Lake Tahoe Basin, said the federal Bureau of Land Management in a press release.
“Today’s investment continues that effort by supporting jobs and local economies, improving recreation opportunities in rural and low-income communities, and advancing Biden-Harris administration’s America the Beautiful initiative’s goal to conserve at least 30 percent each of our lands and waters by the year 2030,” said Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in the release.
According to a county press release, $39,771,004 goes to James Regional Park Sports Complex in the southwest Valley for a new softball complex with eight softball fields, including one that is championship-style.
The Hollywood Regional Park on Las Vegas' east side also was allocated $28,289,900 to construct a new multiuse field with four separate areas connected by paved paths and trails in the park, including the 1.25-mile Hollywood Regional Park Walking Trail, city officials stated.
“Our new Hollywood Regional Park Multi-Use Fields will be a great benefit to the northeast area of our community where many of our underserved neighborhoods are located,” Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom said. “These SNPLMA funds will help to contribute to the quality of life for East Las Vegas children and families while also providing a great place to enjoy the outdoors.”
Last to receive a chunk of funding was the Clark County Shooting Complex, which is located north of the city. It was given $7,435,471 to make improvements on its outdoor archery competition range and International Olympic Trap and Skeet Field, according to county officials.
They said the improvements “will allow the complex to offer more comprehensive archery hunter education and training programs and will enhance the facility’s ability to provide the public with a safe setting for recreational shooting.”
Habitat conservation efforts in Clark County — such as the Muddy River restoration, desert tortoise monitoring and vegetation mapping efforts — will be getting $3.5 million.
The fund has supported projects benefiting Nevada, California and some partner states in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area since its enactment in 1998, according to county officials. Proceeds from the sale of public lands provide the funding, and more than $4 billion has been generated through 19 rounds of land sales, according to the BLM.
Other entities that have received funds include Henderson, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and the Southern Nevada Water Authority.
