Cortez Masto Calls for Passage of Southern Nevada Lands BILL at Senate Committee Hearing

Washington, D.C. –Yesterday, as the Democratic Ranking Member for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s hearing in the Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) called for passage of her legislation to promote sustainable and responsible growth in Clark County. During the hearing, Cortez Masto highlighted the urgent need for herSouthern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Actto protect over 2 million acres of public land for conservation and recreation while allowing Clark County to develop affordable housing and responsibly plan for population growth.
The Southern Nevada lands bill “is supported by a broad bipartisan coalition, including the State of Nevada, local tribes and municipal governments, conservation organizations, local business associations, affordable housing advocates, and chambers of commerce,”Cortez Masto said. She went on tooutlinehow her legislation will help the Las Vegas valley grow responsibly while protecting its natural resources.
Hearing witness Jocelyn Torres, Chief Conservation Officer for Conservation Lands Foundation,urgedthe committee to“move this bill forward…and [not only] enhance protections for Red Rock Canyon and the Desert national Wildfire Refuge, but to do so in a manner that invests in the local economy by addressing the needs of a rapidly growing region in a thoughtful manner.”
Jon Raby, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director for Nevadahighlightedthe in-depth process that Clark County would undergo to ensure land sales under theSouthern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Actare responsible and in line with community needs.
Cortez Masto’sSouthern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Actwill allow Clark County to develop up to 25,000 acres over the next 50 years, while preserving over 2 million acres of land for conservation and outdoor recreation. It was crafted with input from conservationists, city and county officials, business leaders, Tribal leaders, and wildlife and recreation interests. Last year, the billpassedthrough the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support.
During the hearing, Cortez Masto alsopushedfor action on herbipartisan legislationto combat wildfires in the West.TheWestern Wildfire Support Act,cosponsored by Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), authorizes funding for cutting-edge firefighting equipment, creating new training programs for federal and local firefighters, and supporting wildfire recovery efforts throughout impacted landscapes and surrounding areas. Last year, this bill passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support.
Senator Cortez Masto has worked across the board to strengthen and diversify Nevada’s economy protect Nevada public lands, and plan for responsible growth. She helped pass vital legislation to help create thousands of new jobs in Las Vegas at the Apex Industrial Park. She’sdelivered $4 billion to combat droughtin the states bordering the Colorado River and secured$450 millionto fundlarge-scale water recycling projectsin the West, including one thatwillprovide water for more than 500,000 households in Southern Nevada and California. And she’sfought againstmisguided proposals toallowthe indiscriminate sale of public lands to pay for tax cuts for billionaires.
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