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119-hr-2317119th Congress

Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2]

Passed House

Summary

Nevada land conveyances and wilderness designations. This bill would transfer large blocks of federal land to counties, cities, and the Washoe Tribe, create new wilderness areas, and channel sale proceeds into local special accounts for conservation and community projects.

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  • Local governments and communities: It would convey parcels to Douglas County, Carson City, Sparks, Elko, Fernley, and others for parks, flood control, recreation, and public purposes, including transfers of about 7,777 acres to Douglas County, about 1,084 acres as open space, and small park parcels. Recipients pay conveyance costs and many deeds include reversion rules if lands are used inconsistently.
  • Tribes and tribal trust lands: About 2,423 acres would be taken into trust for the Washoe Tribe and about 199 acres of nonfederal fee land would be added to the Tribe’s reservation. Trust lands are limited from class II and III gaming and may be used for fuel reduction, habitat restoration, and other conservation work.
  • Wilderness and conservation: The bill would designate the 12,392-acre Burbank Canyons Wilderness and seven Pershing County wilderness units with specified acreages, preserve State wildlife authority, allow certain wildlife and fuel management activities, and restrict federal funding or authorization for new water resource facilities inside designated wilderness.
  • Money and federal operations: Sales must fetch fair market value and proceeds are split in many places with 5% to the State for education, 10% to the county, and the remainder to county special accounts that can reimburse costs and buy or protect environmentally sensitive land. The bill also funds a Federal Complex by dedicating 10% of deposits into those special accounts for construction.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

14 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 10 mixed.

New wilderness areas and use rules

If enacted, seven new wilderness areas in Pershing County would be designated: Cain Mountain (~12,339 acres), Bluewing (~24,900), Selenite Peak (~22,822), Mount Limbo (~11,855), North Sahwave (~13,875), Grandfathers (~35,339), and Fencemaker (~14,942). About 12,392 acres would also be designated as the Burbank Canyons Wilderness, with road‑adjacent boundaries set at least 100 feet from road centerlines. Grazing that existed before enactment would continue, and Nevada would keep wildlife management authority; Interior and Agriculture could act to control wildfires, insects, or disease and install essential weather and water‑data devices. A temporary telecom device in Selenite Peak could be allowed for up to 7 years for law enforcement or agency work. Federal funding or permits for new water projects in wilderness would be banned, while tribal treaty rights would remain and personal, noncommercial gathering of traditional plants would be allowed. About 1,065 acres in Burbank Canyons WSA and about 48,600 acres in other study areas would be released from wilderness‑study status and managed under existing land‑use plans.

More wildlife work in Nevada wilderness

This bill would confirm that Nevada keeps authority over fish and wildlife in wilderness areas. The Interior Secretary would be able to do work to maintain or restore wildlife and habitat, if it follows the wilderness plan and the Wilderness Act. Limited use of vehicles or aircraft for wildlife operations would be allowed when it helps keep healthy, well‑distributed wildlife and impacts are kept low. The Secretary would be able to approve wildlife water projects, like guzzlers, when they enhance wilderness values and the look of the land is protected. State work under an existing agreement would continue under those terms.

Sparks gets park and cemetery land

If enacted and Sparks requests it, the Secretary would give about 40 acres for a public cemetery and two park areas of about 448.16 and 266.04 acres for public use. The City would pay surveys and administrative costs. The land must stay for these public purposes or it may revert to the United States.

Walker River Tribe Greenlink right-of-way

If the Walker Lake parcel is placed into trust, the Secretary would treat the Walker River Paiute Tribe’s consent for the Greenlink West line as obtained. The Secretary would approve a right‑of‑way agreement before construction. That agreement would include compensation, an annual premium usage fee paid to the Tribe, and other terms. Environmental review would still apply and would reflect the land’s trust status.

No new mining in Burbank Canyons

This bill would block new mining and mineral leasing in the Burbank Canyons Wilderness. The land would be closed to new claims, leases, and sales under mining and public land laws, including geothermal. Valid existing rights would still stand. The rule would start when the area is designated as wilderness.

Carson City land deals and fund

If enacted, the Secretary would convey about 258 acres to Carson City for fair market value; the City would pay surveys and other costs and could later sell or lease the land, with proceeds going to a Carson City Special Account. That account would fund sale prep, wildlife and sage‑grouse work, fuels reduction and wildfire projects, sensitive‑land buys, capital improvements, and education, and it would earn interest. Carson City would convey about 17 acres to the United States within 1 year, and the Secretary would then sell it, usually by competitive bid and at not less than fair market value; the City keeps listed easements and buyers pay sale costs. If a qualified bidder exists for certain City parcels, the Secretary would have to offer them for sale within 2 years after this Act is enacted. The Secretary could also sell about 28 acres by competitive bid at fair market value; buyers would pay costs and the City would retain utility and drainage easements. For a road project, the City would buy small Forest Service parcels at fair market value and build a South Curry Street crosswalk within 90 days after the conveyance.

Douglas land transfers and county fund

If enacted, Douglas County could receive about 7,777 acres for flood control and recreation without paying a purchase price, but it would pay surveys, cleanup, and closing costs. The County and Interior would pick parcels to sell at fair market value by competitive bid, with temporary withdrawals ending on sale or within 2 years if unsold. Sale money would be split 5% to Nevada education, 10% to the County, and 85% to a Douglas County Special Account for reimbursements, land buys under the County open‑space plan, and flood control. About 1,084 acres would be conveyed for an open space recreation area, and Interior would process a County special use permit within 1 year when practicable. The County could also buy federal reversionary interests at appraised value if it offers within 1 year after the appraisal.

Elko and Fernley buy federal land

If enacted, the Secretary would sell about 644 acres to the City of Elko, about 3,475 acres to Elko County, and about 12,085 acres to the City of Fernley, all at fair market value. Buyers would pay surveys, appraisals, and administrative costs. Proceeds would be deposited into the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act special account.

Funds for a new Federal Complex

If enacted, 10% of the money deposited in the federal special accounts under Titles I, IV, and V would be available to build a Nevada Federal Complex. If that is not enough, Interior and Agriculture could use other Nevada agency accounts to finish construction.

Pershing land sales and county fund

If enacted, Interior would sell or trade selected checkerboard parcels in Pershing County at fair market value, usually by competitive bid. Adjoining landowners would get the first option unless Interior finds other qualified buyers. Within 2 years after selection, parcels would be offered, and appraisals would follow national standards and stay valid for 5 years. Buyers would pay surveys and other closing costs. Sale money would be split 5% to Nevada education, 10% to Pershing County, and the rest to a Pershing County Special Account that can buy conservation lands, improve access, and reimburse sale costs. Interior would also offer certain encumbered lands to qualified entities for fair market value and must accept a fair offer within 1 year and convey within 2 years.

State clears Jean Prison title

If enacted and Nevada asks, the Secretary would release and convey remaining federal interests in the named parcel so the State holds full title. The State would pay title, survey, deed, and legal costs and would indemnify the United States for boundary disputes. The State would manage the land under listed federal aviation laws where applicable.

Tahoe park and local parcels transfer

If enacted, about 67 acres would be conveyed to Nevada for the Lake Tahoe–Nevada State Park without a purchase price; the State would pay surveys, cleanup, and closing fees and must keep it for conservation or public park use. The Forest Service could also convey certain lands to a State or County without a purchase price for open space, water quality, habitat, trails, fuel reduction, or flood control, with reversion if misused. In Incline Village, the Forest Service could convey listed parcels to the local improvement district if it assumes liability within 365 days and pays fair market value and conveyance costs.

Truckee River flood control lands

If enacted, the Secretary would convey specified parcels to the Truckee River Flood Management Authority without a purchase price for flood control and river restoration. TRFMA would pay surveys and administrative costs and provide needed access easements at no charge. The land could revert to the United States if it is used for other purposes.

Washoe Tribe trust lands and wildfire work

If enacted, about 2,423 acres of federal land and about 199 acres of fee land would be taken into trust for the Washoe Tribe and added to the reservation. Interior could work with the Tribe to reduce fuels and restore habitat on these trust lands. The trust parcel would not be eligible for class II or III gaming. Interior would complete a survey and publish the legal description.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2]

NV • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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