Public lands bill would open 25,000 acres to development in Las Vegas area
The Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act (SNEDCA) also includes a 56,000-acre expansion of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and 9,290 acres to expand Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area.
The move comes after Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo's call for more federal land to be turned over for housing last year as President Joe Biden proposed federal support for affordable housing. That produced a cooperative effort between county, state and federal officials to identify federally-owned land that could be sold cheaply to encourage affordable housing development.
But critics warned against a Wild West approach to development. Cortez Masto's legislation could open up the door to explosive growth at exactly the time Nevada needs to be careful about using its resources appropriately.
45 sites identified for affordable housing concentrated in southwest Las Vegas valley
'This is not a bill for working people who can barely afford to get by,' according to Vinny Spotleson, chair of the Sierra Club's Toiyabe Chapter. 'This legislation exists to enrich developers with cheaper land in currently undeveloped areas.'
Others pointed to the current water shortage as a megadrought continues in the desert Southwest.
'This dangerous piece of legislation takes money out of the pockets of existing residents,' Kyle Roerink, executive director of the Great Basin Water Network, said in a news release. 'But it also takes Colorado River water to places where it's never been before. With Lake Mead hovering at one-third of its capacity, this thirsty bill is not necessary or sustainable. Who will get left holding the bag: Those who can least afford it.'
Roerink estimated the land that would be sold at closer to 30,000 acres, and pointed to a recent report that 82,000 acres is already available if developers would just fill in the valley's gaps.
The bipartisan legislation will protect over 2 million acres of public land for conservation and recreation, including the designation of nearly 1.3 million acres of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, which was established to protect the habitat of desert bighorn sheep. Last year, the bill passed through the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support. U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nev.) is introducing companion legislation, cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.), in the House of Representatives.
'For years, I have worked with community leaders across Clark County to create this legislation,' Cortez Masto said in the announcement. 'As more and more people call Las Vegas home, we need to find a solution that promotes responsible economic development, builds more homes families can afford, and protects our environment and outdoor recreation. This much-needed bill is that commonsense solution and I'm going to continue working get it done.'
Business representatives applauded the bill.
'Southern Nevada's continued economic diversification depends on the release of additional public lands,' Betsy Fretwell of Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance said. 'This bill is an important step forward in ensuring the sustainable growth of our region while preserving the natural resources that make Clark County a unique and vibrant place to live and work.'
Maurice Page, executive director of the Nevada Housing Coalition, said, 'The Nevada Housing Coalition supports Senator Cortez Masto's efforts to balance conservation and economic development in Southern Nevada through the Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act. This legislation represents an important step toward unlocking additional land for much-needed housing development while ensuring that sustainability and environmental stewardship remain priorities. Expanding access to land for residential development, particularly with provisions that prioritize affordable housing, is critical to addressing Nevada's housing crisis. We look forward to collaborating with policymakers and stakeholders to ensure that this bill translates into real housing opportunities for Nevadans.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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