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119-s-4200119th CongressWALLET

Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act

Sponsored By: Senator Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

In Committee

Summary

Local conveyances and conservation drive this bill, which would pair large land transfers to Nevada and Douglas County with a tribal trust transfer and a new wilderness designation.

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  • Douglas County and Nevada: The bill would convey roughly 7,777 acres to Douglas County and about 1,084 acres as an open space recreation area, plus a small Lake Tahoe parcel to the State. Recipients must pay surveys, appraisals, environmental and closing costs, cannot dispose of conveyed parcels, and lands revert to the United States if used inconsistently.
  • Washoe Tribe: The bill would transfer about 2,470 acres of federal land and roughly 199 acres of non‑federal land into trust for the Washoe Tribe and add them to the reservation. Trust lands would support cultural, habitat, and restoration activities, preserve existing water rights, and would not be used for Class II or Class III gaming.
  • Public lands, recreation and finance: The bill would designate about 12,392 acres as the Burbank Canyons Wilderness while protecting preexisting grazing and State wildlife jurisdiction. It would authorize sales of specified parcels and direct proceeds so that 85% goes into a Douglas County Special Account for reimbursements, conservation acquisitions, transfer costs, and flood control, with the remainder split for State education and county budgets.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Lake Tahoe State Park conveyance

If enacted, the bill would convey about 67 acres of Forest Service land to the State for the Lake Tahoe–Nevada State Park without payment. The State would pay all conveyance costs, including surveys, appraisals, environmental response and restoration, and closing fees. The land must be used only for wildlife or natural resource conservation or as a public park and could revert to the United States if used inconsistently.

Burbank Canyons wilderness protections

If enacted, the bill would designate about 12,392 acres of BLM land as the Burbank Canyons Wilderness and withdraw it from mining, mineral leasing, and public land entry, subject to existing rights. Any wilderness boundary next to a road would be at least 100 feet from the road centerline. The State would keep authority over fish and wildlife, but federal funding or permits for new water resource facilities inside County wilderness areas would generally be prohibited.

Washoe Tribe trust land changes

If enacted, the bill would take about 2,470 acres of Federal land and about 199 acres of non‑Federal fee land into trust for the Washoe Tribe and add them to the Tribe's reservation after a cadastral survey and Federal Register notice. The Interior Secretary could carry out fuel reduction and habitat restoration on trust lands in coordination with the Tribe. Land taken into trust under this Act would not be eligible for class II or class III gaming.

Douglas County land transfers and rules

If enacted, the bill would convey about 1,084 acres for open-space recreation within 180 days of a County request and up to about 7,777 acres to Douglas County on request for flood control, recreation, or environmental purposes. The County would pay all conveyance costs (surveys, appraisals, cleanup, and closing fees) and generally could not sell conveyed parcels for private development; inconsistent uses could cause reversion to the United States. The County could buy Federal reversionary interests after an appraisal if it offers to buy within one year. The bill would also require the Agriculture Secretary to decide Santini‑Burton parcel suitability on request and, when practicable, process a 188‑acre special use permit and decide within one year.

Federal land sales and proceeds

If enacted, the bill would direct the sale of identified federal parcels in Douglas County, usually by competitive bidding and at not less than fair market value. The Secretary would offer land for sale within 2 years if there are qualified bidders, subject to surveys and local zoning compliance. Sale proceeds would be split: 5% to Nevada for general education, 10% to Douglas County, and 85% to a federal "Douglas County Special Account" to pay sale costs, reimburse trust-transfer preparation, buy open-space interests under the County plan, and fund flood control.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

NV • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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