[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 49 (Wednesday, April 23, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H1746-H1750]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           SOUTHERN NEVADA PUBLIC LAND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1997

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 449) to provide for the orderly disposal of certain Federal 
lands in Clark County, NV, and to provide for the acquisition of 
environmentally sensitive lands in the State of Nevada, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 449

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Southern Nevada Public Land 
     Management Act of 1997''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
       (1) The Bureau of Land Management has extensive land 
     ownership in small and large parcels interspersed with or 
     adjacent to private land in the Las Vegas Valley, Nevada, 
     making many of these parcels difficult to manage and more 
     appropriate for disposal.
       (2) In order to promote responsible and orderly development 
     in the Las Vegas Valley, certain of those Federal lands 
     should be sold by the Federal Government based on 
     recommendations made by local government and the public.
       (3) The Las Vegas metropolitan area is the fastest growing 
     urban area in the United States, which is causing significant 
     impacts upon the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the Red 
     Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, and the Spring 
     Mountains National Recreation Area, which surround the Las 
     Vegas Valley.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to provide for the 
     orderly disposal of certain Federal lands in Clark County, 
     Nevada, and to provide for the acquisition of environmentally 
     sensitive lands in the State of Nevada.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       As used in this Act:
       (1) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the 
     Interior.
       (2) The term ``unit of local government'' means Clark 
     County, the City of Las Vegas, the City of North Las Vegas, 
     or the City of Henderson; all in the State of Nevada.
       (3) The term ``Agreement'' means the agreement entitled 
     ``The Interim Cooperative Management Agreement Between The 
     United States Department of the Interior--Bureau of Land 
     Management and Clark County'', dated November 4, 1992.
       (4) The term ``special account'' means the account in the 
     Treasury of the United States established under section 
     4(e)(1)(C).
       (5) The term ``Recreation and Public Purposes Act'' means 
     the Act entitled ``An Act to authorize acquisition or use of 
     public lands by States, counties, or municipalities for 
     recreational purposes'', approved June 14, 1926 (43 U.S.C. 
     869 et seq.).
       (6) The term ``regional governmental entity'' means the 
     Southern Nevada Water Authority, the Regional Flood Control 
     District, and the Clark County Sanitation District.

     SEC. 4. DISPOSAL AND EXCHANGE.

       (a) Disposal.--Notwithstanding the land use planning 
     requirements contained in sections 202 and 203 of the Federal 
     Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1711 and 
     1712), the Secretary, in accordance with this Act, the 
     Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, and other 
     applicable law, and subject to valid existing rights, is 
     authorized to dispose of lands within the boundary of the 
     area under the jurisdiction of the Direction of the Bureau of 
     Land Management in Clark County, Nevada, as generally 
     depicted on the map entitled ``Las Vegas Valley, Nevada, Land 
     Disposal Map'', dated April 10, 1997. Such map shall be on 
     file and available for public inspection in the offices of 
     the Director and the Las Vegas District of the Bureau of Land 
     Management.
       (b) Reservation for Local Public Purposes.--
       (1) Recreation and public purpose act conveyances.--Not 
     less than 30 days before the offering of lands for sale or 
     exchange pursuant to subsection (a), the State of Nevada or 
     the unit of local government in whose jurisdiction the lands 
     are located may

[[Page H1747]]

     elect to obtain any such lands for local public purposes 
     pursuant to the provisions of the Recreation and Public 
     Purposes Act. Pursuant to any such election, the Secretary 
     shall retain the elected lands for conveyance to the State of 
     Nevada or such unit of the local government in accordance 
     with the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes 
     Act.
       (2) Rights-of-way.--
       (A) Issuance.--Upon application, by a unit of local 
     government or regional governmental entity, the Secretary, in 
     accordance with this Act and the Federal Land Policy and 
     Management Act of 1976, and other applicable provisions of 
     law, shall issue right-of-way grants on Federal lands in 
     Clark County, Nevada, for all reservoirs, canals, channels, 
     ditches, pipes, pipelines, tunnels and other facilities and 
     systems needed for--
       (i) the impoundment, storage, treatment, transportation or 
     distribution of water (other than water from the Virgin 
     River) or wastewater; or
       (ii) flood control management.
       (B) Duration.--Right-of-way grants issued under this 
     paragraph shall be valid in perpetuity.
       (C) Waiver of fees.--Right-of-way grants issued under this 
     paragraph shall not require the payment of rental or cost 
     recovery fees.
       (3) Youth activity facilities.--Within 30 days after a 
     request by Clark County, Nevada, the Secretary shall offer to 
     Clark County, Nevada, the land depicted on the map entitled 
     ``Vicinity Map Parcel 177-28-101-020 dated August 14, 1996, 
     in accordance with the Recreation and Public Purposes Act for 
     the construction of youth activity facilities.
       (c) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, all 
     Federal lands identified in subsection (a) for disposal are 
     withdrawn from location and entry, under the mining laws and 
     from operation under the mineral leasing and geothermal 
     leasing laws until such time as the Secretary terminates the 
     withdrawal or the lands are patented.
       (d) Selection.--
       (1) Joint selection required.--The Secretary and the unit 
     of local government in whose jurisdiction lands referred to 
     in subsection (a) are located shall jointly select lands to 
     be offered for sale or exchange under this section. The 
     Secretary shall coordinate land disposal activities with the 
     unit of local government in whose jurisdiction such lands are 
     located. Land disposal activities of the Secretary shall be 
     consistent with local land use planning and zoning 
     requirements and recommendations.
       (2) Offering.--After land has been selected in accordance 
     with this subsection, the Secretary shall make the first 
     offering of land as soon as practicable after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.
       (e) Disposition of Proceeds.--
       (1) Land sales.--Of the gross proceeds of sales of land 
     under this subsection in a fiscal year--
       (A) 5 percent shall be paid directly to the State of Nevada 
     for use in the general education program of the State;
       (B) 10 percent shall be paid directly to the Southern 
     Nevada Water Authority for water treatment and transmission 
     facility infrastructure in Clark County, Nevada; and
       (C) the remainder shall be deposited in a special account 
     in the Treasury of the United States for use pursuant to the 
     provisions of paragraph (3).

     Amounts in the special account shall be available to the 
     Secretary without further appropriation and shall remain 
     available until expended.
       (2) Land exchanges.--
       (A) Payments.--In the case of a land exchange under this 
     section, the non-Federal party shall provide direct payments 
     to the State of Nevada and the Southern Nevada Water 
     Authority in accordance with paragraphs (1) (A) and (B). The 
     payments shall be based on the fair market value of the 
     Federal lands to be conveyed in the exchange and shall be 
     considered a cost incurred by the non-Federal party that 
     shall be compensated by the Secretary if so provided by any 
     agreement to initiate exchange.
       (B) Pending exchanges.--The provisions of this Act, except 
     this subsection and subsections (a) and (b), shall not apply 
     to any land exchange for which an initial agreement to 
     initiate an exchange was signed by an authorized 
     representative of the exchange proponent and an authorized 
     officer of the Bureau of Land Management prior to February 
     29, 1996.
       (3) Availability of Special Account.--
       (A) In general.--Amounts deposited in the special account 
     may be expended by the Secretary for--
       (i) the acquisition of environmentally sensitive land in 
     the State of Nevada in accordance with subsection (h), with 
     priority given to lands located within Clark County;
       (ii) capital improvements at the Lake Mead National 
     Recreation Area, the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, the Red 
     Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and other areas 
     administered by the Bureau of Land Management in Clark 
     County, and the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area;
       (iii) development of a multispecies habitat conservation 
     plan in Clark County, Nevada;
       (iv) development of parks, trails, and natural areas in 
     Clark County, Nevada, pursuant to a cooperative agreement 
     with a unit of local government; and
       (v) reimbursement of costs incurred by the local offices of 
     the Bureau of Land Management in arranging sales or exchanges 
     under this Act.
       (B) Procedures.--The Secretary shall coordinate the use of 
     the special account with the Secretary of Agriculture, the 
     State of Nevada, local governments, and other interested 
     persons, to ensure accountability and demonstrated results.
       (C) Limitation.--Not more than 25 percent of the amounts 
     available to the Secretary from the special account in any 
     fiscal year (determined without taking into account amounts 
     deposited under subsection (g)(4)) may be used in any fiscal 
     year for the purposes described in subparagraph (A)(ii).
       (f) Investment of Special Account.--All funds deposited as 
     principal in the special account shall earn interest in the 
     amount determined by the Secretary of the Treasury on the 
     basis of the current average market yield on outstanding 
     marketable obligations of the United States of comparable 
     maturities. Such interest shall be added to the principal of 
     the account and expended according to the provisions of 
     subsection (e)(3).
       (g) Airport Environs Overlay District Land Transfer.--Upon 
     request of Clark County, Nevada, the Secretary shall transfer 
     to Clark County, Nevada, without consideration, all right, 
     title, and interest of the United States in and to the lands 
     identified in the Agreement, subject to the following:
       (1) Valid existing rights.
       (2) Clark County agrees to manage such lands in accordance 
     with the Agreement and with section 47504 of title 49, United 
     States Code (relating to airport noise compatibility 
     planning), and regulations promulgated pursuant to that 
     section.
       (3) Clark County agrees that if any of such lands are sold, 
     leased, or otherwise conveyed or leased by Clark County, such 
     sale, lease, or other conveyance shall contain a limitation 
     which requires uses compatible with the Agreement and such 
     Airport Noise Compatibility Planning provisions.
       (4) Clark County agrees that if any of such lands are sold, 
     leased, or otherwise conveyed by Clark County, such lands 
     shall be sold, leased, or otherwise conveyed for fair market 
     value. Clark County shall contribute 85 percent of the gross 
     proceeds from the sale, lease, or other conveyance of such 
     lands directly to the special account. If any of such lands 
     sold, leased, or otherwise conveyed by Clark County are 
     identified on the map referenced in section 2(a) of the Act 
     entitled ``An Act to provide for the orderly disposal of 
     certain Federal lands in Nevada and for the acquisition of 
     certain other lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin, and for other 
     purposes'', approved December 23, 1980 (94 Stat. 3381; 
     commonly known as the ``Santini-Burton Act''), the proceeds 
     contributed to the special account by Clark County from the 
     sale, lease, or other conveyance of such lands shall be used 
     by the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire environmentally 
     sensitive land in the Lake Tahoe Basin pursuant to section 3 
     of the Santini-Burton Act. Clark County shall contribute 5 
     percent of the gross proceeds from the sale, lease, or other 
     conveyance of such lands directly to the State of Nevada for 
     use in the general education program of the State, and the 
     remainder shall be available for use by the Clark County 
     Department of Aviation for the benefit of airport development 
     and the Noise Compatibility Program.

     SEC. 5. ACQUISITIONS.

       (a) Acquisitions.--
       (1) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, the term 
     ``environmentally sensitive land'' means land or an interest 
     in land, the acquisition of which the United States would, in 
     the judgment of the Secretary or the Secretary of 
     Agriculture--
       (A) promote the preservation of natural, scientific, 
     aesthetic, historical, cultural, watershed, wildlife, and 
     other values contributing to public enjoyment and biological 
     diversity;
       (B) enhance recreational opportunities and public access;
       (C) provide the opportunity to achieve better management of 
     public land through consolidation of Federal ownership; or
       (D) otherwise serve the public interest.
       (2) In general.--After the consultation process has been 
     completed in accordance with paragraph (3), the Secretary may 
     acquire with the proceeds of the special account 
     environmentally sensitive land and interests in 
     environmentally sensitive land. Lands may not be acquired 
     under this section without the consent of the owner thereof. 
     Funds made available from the special account may be used 
     with any other funds made available under any other provision 
     of law.
       (3) Consultation.--Before initiating efforts to acquire 
     land under this subsection, the Secretary or the Secretary of 
     Agriculture shall consult with the State of Nevada and with 
     local government within whose jurisdiction the lands are 
     located, including appropriate planning and regulatory 
     agencies, and with other interested persons, concerning the 
     necessity of making the acquisition, the potential impacts on 
     State and local government, and other appropriate aspects of 
     the acquisition. Consultation under this paragraph is in 
     addition to any other consultation required by law.
       (b) Administration.--On acceptance of title by the United 
     States, land and interests in land acquired under this 
     subsection that is within the boundaries of a unit of the 
     National Forest System, National Park System, National 
     Wildlife Refuge System, National Wild and Scenic Rivers 
     System, National Trails System, National Wilderness 
     Preservation System, any other system established by Act of 
     Congress, or any national

[[Page H1748]]

     conservation or national recreation area established by Act 
     of Congress--
       (1) shall become part of the unit or area without further 
     action by the Secretary or Secretary of Agriculture; and
       (2) shall be managed in accordance with all laws and 
     regulations and land use plans applicable to the unit or 
     area.
       (c) Determination of fair market value.--The fair market 
     value of land or an interest in land to be acquired by the 
     Secretary or the Secretary of Agriculture under this 
     subsection shall be determined pursuant to section 206 of the 
     Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and shall be 
     consistent with other applicable requirements and standards. 
     Fair market value shall be determined without regard to the 
     presence of a species listed as threatened or endangered 
     under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
     seq.).
       (d) Payments in lieu of taxes.--Section 6901(1) of title 
     31, United States Code, is amended as follows:
       (1) By striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (F).
       (2) By striking the period at the end of subparagraph (G) 
     and inserting ``; or''.
       (3) By adding at the end the following:
       ``(H) acquired by the Secretary of the Interior or the 
     Secretary of Agriculture under section 5 of the Southern 
     Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1997 that is not 
     otherwise described in subparagraphs (A) through (G).''.

     SEC. 6. REPORT.

       The Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of 
     Agriculture, shall submit to the Committee on Energy and 
     Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Resources of the House of Representatives an annual report on 
     all transactions under this section.

     SEC. 7. RECREATION AND PUBLIC PURPOSES ACT.

       (a) Transfer of Reversionary Interest.--
       (1) In general.--Upon request by a grantee of lands within 
     Clark County, Nevada, that are subject to a lease or patent 
     issued under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act, the 
     Secretary may transfer the reversionary interest in such 
     lands to other non-Federal lands. The transfer of the 
     reversionary interest shall only be made to lands of equal 
     value, except that with respect to the State of Nevada or a 
     unit of local government an amount equal to the excess (if 
     any) of the fair market value of lands received by the unit 
     of local government over the fair market value of lands 
     transferred by the unit of local government shall be paid to 
     the Secretary and shall be treated under subsection (e)(1) of 
     this section as proceeds from the sale of land. For purposes 
     of this subsection, the fair market value of lands to be 
     transferred by the State of Nevada or a unit of local 
     government may be based upon a statement of value prepared by 
     a qualified appraiser.
       (2) Terms and conditions applicable to lands acquired.--
     Land selected under this subsection by a grantee described in 
     paragraph (1) shall be subject to the terms and conditions, 
     uses, and acreage limitations of the lease or patent to which 
     the lands transferred by the grantee were subject, including 
     the reverter provisions, under the Recreation and Public 
     Purposes Act.
       (k) Affordable Housing.--The Secretary, in consultation 
     with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, may make 
     available, in accordance with section 203 of the Federal Land 
     Planning and Management Act of 1976, land in the State of 
     Nevada at less than fair market value and under other such 
     terms and conditions as he may determine for affordable 
     housing purposes. Such lands shall be made available only to 
     State or local governmental entities, including local public 
     housing authorities. For the purposes of this subsection, 
     housing shall be considered to be affordable housing if the 
     housing serves low income families as defined under the 
     Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 
     12701 et. seq.).

     SEC. 8. BOUNDARY MODIFICATION OF RED ROCK CANYON NATIONAL 
                   CONSERVATION AREA.

       Section 3(a)(2) of the Red Rock Canyon National 
     Conservation Area Establishment Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 
     460ccc-1(a)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(2) The conservation area shall consist of approximately 
     195,780 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled `Red 
     Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Administrative 
     Boundary Modification', dated August 8, 1996.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Utah [Mr. Hansen] and the gentleman from Hawaii [Mr. Abercrombie] each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah [Mr. Hansen].
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 449, introduced by the gentleman from Nevada [Mr. 
Ensign], will solve the many problems currently facing the Bureau of 
Land Management in the Las Vegas area. Las Vegas is the fastest growing 
area in the Nation and is expected to continue on this trend for years 
to come. As with many Western States, Las Vegas is landlocked by the 
vast Federal ownership in Nevada and, as the area grows, demands for 
Federal lands increase.
  During the 104th Congress, the Subcommittee on National Parks, 
Forests and Lands requested the Interior Inspector General to audit the 
Federal land exchange process in Nevada. The Inspector General found 
that the BLM had lost millions of dollars of taxpayer money because the 
system is flawed, easily manipulated and subject to political 
pressures. The Ensign bill will implement an open process wherein the 
public will have more input and lands will be sold for fair market 
value.
  The revenues received from these sales will be used to purchase 
environmentally sensitive lands within the State of Nevada. Fifteen 
percent of the revenues will be shared with the local government to 
help pay for the incredible demands for infrastructure and water.
  H.R. 449 is the culmination of many hours of Mr. Ensign's public 
lands task force which involved representatives from all sides of this 
debate. Environmentalists, developers, planners, local and Federal 
Government came together to agree on this legislation. Moreover, Mr. 
Ensign has worked hard to accommodate administration and minority 
concerns. This is a balanced and equitable approach to a very difficult 
issue, and I commend Mr. Ensign and the gentleman from Nevada, Mr. 
Gibbons, for their efforts. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 449 
and pass it as amended.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. ABERCROMBIE asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I think that my good friend, the 
gentleman from Utah [Mr. Hansen], has made an excellent summation of 
the bill to this point.
  The language of bill, H.R. 449, has undergone a number of 
refinements, as indicated, since it was first considered in the last 
Congress. Originally there were a number of very serious concerns with 
the bill. Tremendous progress on the measure has been made over the 
past year. Senators Bryan and Reid and the gentleman from Nevada, Mr. 
Ensign, have worked with the Bureau of Land Management and other 
interested parties to address a number of issues of concern, and 
changes to the bill continue to be made up until the very recent time, 
as indicated again by my good friend.
  An agreement is near on the total bill, but it has not been 
completed. The administration's statement of policy on H.R. 449 notes 
the remaining concerns, but with the understanding that further 
refinements to the bill are likely in the Senate, neither the 
administration nor this side of the aisle will oppose passage today of 
H.R. 449, as amended.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend Mr. Ensign.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Las Vegas, NV [Mr. Ensign], the sponsor of this bill.
  (Mr. ENSIGN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 449, the Southern 
Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1997. I would like to start by 
thanking the gentleman from Utah [Mr. Hansen], the subcommittee 
chairman, for all his diligent work and also the staff, my staff, the 
committee staff and everybody who participated in this bill and, of 
course, the chairman of the House Committee on Resources, the gentleman 
from Alaska [Mr. Young], for all of the work that has been done on this 
bill. This bill has been commonly referred to as the Ensign/Bryan bill 
because Senator Bryan introduced companion legislation on the Senate 
side.
  Mr. Speaker, this is good legislation, especially with this being 
Earth Week and our awareness of the environment is heightened. H.R. 449 
is good for the environment, good for education, and good for quality 
of life in Nevada. I believe that this legislation will prove to be 
model legislation not only in policy but in process.

[[Page H1749]]

  This process first started with my predecessor, Representative Jim 
Bilbray, who formed a public lands task force. Members of this task 
force were representatives from local governments, utility providers, 
developers, recreationalists, environmentalists, and Federal agencies 
such as the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service and BLM. When I 
came to office, I continued the meetings of the task force, and with 
their help and input and with the assistance of Senator Bryan we 
drafted what ultimately became the legislation before us today.
  After numerous meetings and constant flow of information and ideas, 
we drafted what we believe to be excellent, compromise legislation 
where an extremely wide variety of interests have been served and are 
ultimately satisfied. In a political atmosphere that has seen so much 
controversy, it is refreshing to see true bipartisan legislation.
  During the 104th Congress, the Subcommittee on National Parks, 
Forests and Lands held a field hearing in Las Vegas on similar 
legislation. We heard overwhelming testimony and startling statistics 
about what is occurring in Clark County. Our witnesses included 
Governor Miller, Clark County School Superintendent Dr. Brian Cram, 
representatives from the Clark County Commission and Southern Nevada 
Water Authority, and representatives from local environmental groups. 
The witnesses unanimously supported our legislation.
  As some of my colleagues may know, the Las Vegas valley is the 
fastest growing metropolitan city in the country, and this single issue 
has been the central focus of our State legislature. No other issue, 
besides Yucca Mountain receives the attention that growth and 
development do. In addition, 87 percent of the State of Nevada is 
federally controlled, resulting in a patchwork pattern of private lands 
interspersed with public lands.
  The blue on this map indicates the public lands that are located 
within the red boundary which this legislation establishes. The blue 
lands are the public lands within the Las Vegas valley to be disposed 
of within this legislation.
  This dueling combination makes it very difficult for the Federal 
agencies to manage this land and puts enormous pressure on local 
elected officials, the school district, utility providers and, most 
importantly, the current residents who are forced to shoulder the price 
tag of this development.
  Given the high quality of life and large percentage of federally 
owned land, the valley is a prime platform for development. Over the 
years, the land exchange process has been used to privatize the public 
land that is interspersed among the private land. Many aspects of this 
process have greatly benefited Nevada as well as the entire country. 
Nevada's economy and job market have experienced a boost. We have 
acquired environmentally sensitive lands throughout the State and 
relieved the Federal agencies of some burdensome management 
responsibilities.
  Despite all the good that seems to stem from the land exchange 
process, it unfortunately cannot possibly accommodate the ever-changing 
market of the Las Vegas valley and give the fairest value of the land 
in a fast growing area like Las Vegas. Therefore, an open, fair market 
auction process will best serve the American people by ensuring the 
most revenue to purchase and improve our favorite environmental areas. 
Currently, it is nearly impossible for the BLM to guarantee fair market 
value for exchanged lands.
  Furthermore, it is exceedingly expensive for our local utilities to 
transport services across Federal lands to private tracts, and everyone 
is in agreement that it makes sense to dispose of these lands.

                              {time}  1830

  The general manager of the Southern Nevada water authority has 
repeatedly testified that it costs an estimated $14,000 per acre of 
land that is privatized through the exchange process.
  It is very important to point out that the value of this Federal land 
is greatly inflated due to the infrastructure that the local taxpayers 
are providing. Land in the desert without roads or water is virtually 
worthless from a financial standpoint, and I see no reason why we 
should not be getting a little something back from the sale of these 
lands that our utility bills have made so valuable.
  H.R. 449 authorizes the sale of these lands while providing that 85 
percent of the generated revenue would go to the Federal Government for 
use in the State of Nevada to purchase environmentally sensitive lands 
and the remaining 15 percent would be used locally. Most importantly, 
the Ensign-Bryan bill provides the essential mechanisms to, one, allow 
this growth to occur in an orderly fashion by allowing local officials 
a seat at the table; two, ensure this growth occurs without neglecting 
the environment by funneling revenue for acquisition of environmentally 
sensitive lands and to our existing federal facilities, such as Lake 
Tahoe, Red Rock and Lake Mead. Nevada is home to some of the most 
beautiful and pristine areas in the country. Areas around Lake Tahoe 
and Spring Mountains are unparalleled in their natural environmental 
splendor. These lands must be protected for the enjoyment of future 
generations and the Ensign-Bryan bill provides the necessary means to 
accomplish this united goal.
  H.R. 449 provides money to offset a $1.7 billion water delivery 
system for Clark County. Ten percent of the revenues would be used by 
Southern Nevada Water Authority for construction of a future water 
delivery system. The ability of the residents to receive an adequate 
water supply is the most pressing issue currently facing southern 
Nevada.
  Finally, H.R. 449 helps future generations by providing revenue for 
education. It has been estimated that school enrollment is projected to 
increase by 83 percent by 2006 and the Clark County School District 
will need to build one elementary school a month just to accommodate 
the new students coming in.
  H.R. 449 also helps our youngest residents by setting aside nearly 40 
acres of land to be used specifically for development of youth 
recreation facilities like baseball diamonds and soccer fields. As this 
phenomenal rate of growth sweeps the Las Vegas Valley, it is important 
we preserve ample and safe areas for our children and our children's 
children to play.
  The Ensign-Bryan bill gives new authority to the Secretary of the 
Interior to sell lands to local governments for affordable housing. The 
entire State of Nevada is experiencing growth and affordable housing 
needs exist throughout the State. With this new authority, the 
Secretary, working with local governments, can provide adequate housing 
facilities for our less fortunate residents. It is vitally important 
that everyone, young and old, have access to a roof over their head, 
and the Ensign-Bryan bill makes this possible.
  Mr. Speaker, I cannot emphasize strongly enough the importance of 
this legislation to Nevada and the precedent it will set for other 
areas. We have come a long way since this legislation was initially 
introduced, and again I want to thank my colleague in the Senate, 
Senator Bryan, I want to thank the gentleman from Utah, Chairman 
Hansen, my colleague the gentleman from Nevada, Jim Gibbons, and also 
the minority and the minority staff for all the work they have done on 
this.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of the time to the 
gentleman from Nevada, [Mr. Gibbons], who has the rest of the State.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ewing). The gentleman from Nevada, [Mr. 
Gibbons], is recognized for 9 minutes.
  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by thanking my colleague, 
the Congressman from southern Nevada, John Ensign, for his outstanding 
work on H.R. 449, the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act of 
1997. H.R. 449 will solve many land, sale and exchange problems for 
Southern Nevada because Southern Nevada is one of the Nation's fastest 
growing areas and, with over 87 percent of Nevada owned by the Federal 
Government, it makes expansion for our communities almost impossible.
  The Bureau of Land Management and many developers continually 
disagree over the fair market value of these public lands. The BLM 
praises the land

[[Page H1750]]

as being fully developed, trying to maximize the returns on public 
lands, while developers, on the other hand, feeling the land would 
continue to be sagebrush without their development, appraise the land 
as desert.
  H.R. 449 will change the appraisal process by auctioning off land to 
the highest bidder. This will ensure the taxpayers of America get the 
highest probable price for our public lands, and will allow developers 
to acquire needed lands for community expansion and development.
  My colleague the gentleman from Nevada, [Mr. Ensign], was helpful in 
working with me to get report language that assures all Federal 
proceeds from the land sales would be spent first in Clark County and 
then priority would be placed on lands in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
  H.R. 449 requires a funding split from land sales, 85 percent going 
to the Federal Government for the purchase of environmentally sensitive 
land in Nevada and the remaining 15 percent going to the State of 
Nevada.
  The Federal Government's 85 percent, which is used to purchase 
environmentally sensitive areas, caused me and my constituents great 
concern. Many times in previous land exchanges, large amounts of land 
in Northern Nevada were bought and exchanged for small parcels of land 
in Southern Nevada. This process has destroyed the tax base of many 
cities and counties and essentially gave the Federal Government more 
land ownership in Nevada.
  No longer were ranches farmed, taxes paid or workers hired. Needless 
to say, land exchanges and sales have been tough for many local 
governments in Nevada.
  That is why Congressman Ensign's diligent effort has allowed Northern 
Nevada to protect its tax base and stop the Federal Government from 
continually owning more and more of Nevada. The land in the Lake Tahoe 
Basin is very pristine, and it is in need of protection to guarantee 
the quality of the lake and the surrounding forests.
  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, the Southern Nevada Public Land 
Management Act of 1997 accomplishes two very important goals in Nevada. 
First, it allows land in the Las Vegas area to be developed to 
accommodate the ever growing number of people moving to that area. And 
second, it will serve to protect and improve many environmentally 
sensitive areas in Clark County and the Lake Tahoe Basin while 
protecting the tax base in Northern Nevada.
  Finally, this bill is good for the American taxpayer because it 
protects them in the land sale and exchange process.
  Mr. Speaker, I would again like to compliment my colleagues on this 
bill and encourage all Members to support H.R. 449.
  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, we understand Las Vegas and Clark County are under 
tremendous growth pressure, and we can sympathize with their situation. 
I think we can all agree that the BLM should work with the local 
community regarding land sales and exchanges the agency is undertaking 
in the area. We want to see this done in a fair and reasonable way, one 
that protects the national interests in these public lands and is 
mindful of local needs and concerns.
  With that in mind, Mr. Speaker, we will accept the bill and ask that 
it move forward today.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Utah [Mr. Hansen] that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 449, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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