By CJ Jorgensen for NEVBEX
U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto announced approximately $375.3M is coming to Nevada to fund 36 different projects.
Funding comes through the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act, which ensures revenues from public land sales in Clark County return to Nevada to support conservation and recreation projects throughout local communities.
Environmentally Sensitive Land Acquisition Proposal
According to the SNPLMA decision document, only one environmentally sensitive land acquisition proposal was granted funds. The project is Thomas Creek Canyon Ranch, requested by United States Forest Service and valued at $335K.
Capital Improvement Projects
Five capital improvement projects were approved for funding, totaling nearly $72M. In order of priority, those projects were:
- Construct Campground and Improve Recreational Access in Strawberry Creek, requested by NPS and valued at approximately $4.2M;
- Public Restrooms and Drinking Water System Modernization and Expansion, requested by BOR and valued at nearly $12M;
- Hoover Dam Visitor Tour Route Refurbishment, requested by BOR and valued at nearly $11M;
- Bristlecone Trail Reconstruction, requested by United States Forest Service and valued at approximately $3.3M, and,
- Cathedral Rock Trail Reconstruction, requested by United States Forest Service and valued at nearly $2M.
Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Programs
Three multi-species habitat conservation program proposals were approved for funding, totaling approximately $4.1M. In order of priority, those projects were:
- Connectivity Management Plan Implementation, requested by Clark County and valued at approximately $948.7K;
- Tule Springs Enhancement and Wildlife Protection, requested by Clark County and valued at $2.5M, and,
- Boulder City Conservation Easement Translocation Plan Update, requested by Clark County and valued at $650K.
Parks, Trails and National Areas Proposals
Fourteen parks, trails and natural areas proposals were approved for funding, totaling approximately $235.3M. In order of priority, those projects were:
- Wetlands Park Enhancements, requested by Clark County and valued at approximately $19.3M;
- Morrell Park Renovation, requested by Henderson and valued at approximately $18.6M;
- Downtown Park Renovation, requested by Henderson and valued at approximately $16.5M;
- Mills Park Master Plan Implementation, requested by Carson City and valued at approximately $14.9M;
- Mountain’s Edge Regional Park Phase Two, requested by Clark County and valued at approximately $43.6M;
- Valley View Park Renovation, requested by North Las Vegas and valued at approximately $7.5M;
- North Maine Softball Complex Upgrade, requested by Churchill County and valued at approximately $9.9M;
- Multi-Sport Complex, requested by Lincoln County and valued at approximately $27.3M;
- Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex Upgrades, requested by Las Vegas and valued at $19.3M;
- Warm Springs Natural Area Wildlife and Bird Viewing Tower, requested by Southern Nevada Water Authority and valued at $1M;
- Craig Ranch Regional Park Improvements, requested by North Las Vegas and valued at approximately $21.2M;
- Las Vegas Wash Restoration Activities, requested by Southern Nevada Water Authority and valued at approximately $1M;
- 3C Recreational Complex Expansion, requested by Churchill County and valued at approximately $32.4M, and,
- Pioche Main Street Linear Park, requested by Lincoln County and valued at approximately $2.7M.
Conservation Initiatives Proposals
Five conservation initiatives proposals were approved for funding, totaling approximately $23M. In order of priority, those projects were:
- Promoting Native Plants for Restoration, Landscaping and Water Conservation, requested by FWS and valued at approximately $5.1M;
- Improving Recreational Fishing Opportunities and Native Trout Conservation, requested by NPS and valued at approximately $1.9M;
- Wildlife Water Reestablishment for Desert Bighorn Sheep Conservation, requested by FWS and valued at approximately $1.9M;
- Landscape-level Migration Monitoring, Outreach and Restoration, requested by FWS and valued at approximately $5.4M, and,
- Managing Illegal Roads to Protect Recreation, Safety and Resources: Phase One, requested by NPS and valued at $8.7M.
Eastern Nevada Landscape Recreation Proposals
Two eastern Nevada landscape recreation proposals were approved for funding, totaling approximately $4.8M. In order of priority, those projects were:
- Cooperative Weed Management, Restoration and Outreach, requested by United States Forest Service and valued at nearly $2M; and,
- North Schell Phase Three, requested by United States Forest Service and valued at approximately $2.9M.
Hazardous Fuels and Wildfire Prevention Proposals
Six hazardous fuels and wildfire prevention proposals were approved for funding, totaling approximately $25.7M. In order of priority, those projects were:
- National Resilience Corridors, Phase Two, requested by United States Forest Service and valued at approximately $3.8M;
- Mount Charleston Hazardous Fuels Reduction, requested by United States Forest Service and valued at approximately $3.2M;
- Clear Creek Defense Zone, requested by Carson City Fire Department and valued at approximately $2.8M;
- Meadow Restoration and Fuels Reduction, requested by United States Forest Service and valued at approximately $2.1M, and,
- Little Valley Wildland Urban Interface Wildfire Mitigation & Fire-Adapted Forest Restoration, requested by University of Nevada Reno and valued at approximately $3.6M.
