With 80% of Nevada’s total land being federally owned, Nevada legislators and developers are considering expanding efforts to release portions of that land for housing.
The intent is to provide housing for high-demand areas like southern Nevada. Lawmakers are also looking to streamline the appraisal and permitting process to shorten the lengthy process.
A law signed by President Joe Biden called the Accelerating Appraisals and Conservation Efforts Act eases requirements set by the Department of Interior for appraising and valuing real property. This act targets developments focused on infrastructure and conservation.
Housing prices are continuing to go up as demand outpaces supply. Currently, there are more than 4.5 million acres of federally owned land in Clark County. The Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act allows the Bureau of Land Management to sell public land and apply the proceeds to conservation projects. Requests can be made for land to be reserved for affordable housing developments for up to 10 years.
Senator Cortez Masto is reintroducing her Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act, which could set aside more than two million acres of federal land for conservation, recreation, cultural/landscape preservation and affordable housing. Supporters of the bill said the land was close enough to the Las Vegas Valley to comfortably accommodate residents who rely on developments in the valley. (Source)
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