- Bipartisan legislation aims to balance growth and conservation.
- Critics warn bill may exacerbate water scarcity and sprawl.
- Over 2 million acres would be protected under the proposal.
- State considers permanent retirement of rights under buy-back legislation.
Thursday, March 27, 2025 — On March 12, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) reintroduced the Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act
(SNEDCA), legislation intended to simultaneously promote economic growth and safeguard public lands in Clark County. The bipartisan measure, also introduced in the House by Representative Susie Lee (D-Nev.) with co-sponsorship from Representative Mark Amodei (R-Nev.), proposes conserving over 2 million acres for recreation, wildlife, and cultural heritage, while freeing approximately 25,000 acres of federal land for affordable housing and business expansion.
Supporters Emphasize Balanced Development.
Senator Cortez Masto emphasized the community-driven approach of the bill, stating, “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.”
Supporters include local business and housing groups. Betsy Fretwell, Interim CEO of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, highlighted the importance of sustainable growth: “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 of the Nevada Housing Coalition underscored the urgency for affordable housing, saying, “Expanding access to land for residential development, particularly with provisions that prioritize affordable housing, is critical to addressing Nevada’s housing crisis.”
Jocelyn Torres of the Conservation Lands Foundation praised the bill’s conservation measures, describing Nevada’s public lands as “the soul of our state and nation” and applauding the expanded protections for areas like Red Rock Canyon and the Desert National Wildlife Refuge.
Concerns Over Water and Sprawl.
However, the bill has drawn criticism from environmental advocates concerned about urban sprawl and water scarcity. Kyle Roerink, executive director of the Great Basin Water Network, warned, “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.”
Vinny Spotleson, Chair of the Sierra Club’s Toiyabe Chapter, was similarly skeptical, arguing the bill primarily benefits developers rather than families struggling to afford housing: “This is not a bill for working people who can barely afford to get by. This legislation exists to enrich developers with cheaper land in currently undeveloped areas.”
Critics also note that approximately 82,000 acres of infill land already available near Las Vegas remains undeveloped, questioning the necessity of releasing additional federal land for growth.
Key Provisions of the Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act.
If passed, SNEDCA would:
- Expand Red Rock Canyon and Sloan Canyon National Conservation Areas significantly.
- Designate nearly 1.3 million acres of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness.
- Allocate over 117,000 acres for recreational off-highway vehicle use.
- Provide land to the Moapa Band of Paiutes and Las Vegas Paiute Tribe for economic development and cultural use.
The debate over SNEDCA illustrates the ongoing tension in Southern Nevada between growth, conservation, and resource management, particularly as the region faces continued environmental pressures.
Senate Bills Pending in the State.
Senate Bill 31: Clarifying Vested Water Rights.
This bill, introduced on November 14, 2024, addresses how federal agencies handle claims to vested water rights. According to the measure, “a federal agency that is a claimant of a vested water right is not required to file proof of the claim on or before December 31, 2027.” The legislation also refines the language in notices about ongoing adjudications by ensuring federal agencies must “make proof of such a claim” for any vested rights beginning January 1, 2028.
These changes stem from existing federal law, under which the Federal Government consents to be joined in certain water-rights suits. By clarifying that these federal agencies do not need to meet the December 31, 2027, filing deadline, the proposal aims to keep Nevada’s process aligned with federal provisions while ensuring local stakeholders have clarity on procedural requirements.
Senate Bill 36: Creating the Nevada Water Buy-Back Initiative.
Dated November 15, 2024, and introduced by the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Natural Resources, this legislation takes a direct approach to groundwater concerns. Under the “act relating to water; establishing the Nevada Water Buy-Back Initiative and the Advisory Committee for the Nevada Water Buy-Back Initiative,” the Director of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources would be required to purchase eligible water rights in areas where groundwater demand exceeds supply, with the intent to permanently retire those rights.
“Groundwater that has been retired pursuant to this section is not available for any use,” the bill’s text explains. Further, an Advisory Committee would guide the Director in purchasing and retiring water rights, focusing first on the most overdrawn basins. The bill also folds this initiative into the broader Nevada Conservation and Recreation Program, which already funds projects that help protect and improve the state’s natural resources.
Under SB36, the Director must adopt necessary regulations by July 1, 2027, paving the way for a structured rollout of the buy-back plan.
Latest Hearing: Senate Natural Resources, Mar 06, 2025. Heard, No Action
~~~
Image:
Valley of Fire State Park
is a public recreation and nature preservation area covering nearly 46,000 acres (19,000 ha) located 16 miles (26 km) south of Overton, Nevada. The state park derives its name from red sandstone formations, the Aztec Sandstone, which formed from shifting sand dunes 150 million years ago. These features, which are the centerpiece of the park’s attractions, often appear to be on fire when reflecting the sun’s rays. It is Nevada’s oldest state park, as commemorated with Nevada Historical Marker #150. It was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1968. Valley of Fire is located 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Las Vegas, at an elevation between 1,320–3,009 feet (402–917 m). It abuts the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. October 2017 by Bernard Spragg. NZ. Public domain license.
Leave a Reply