[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 14, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E302-E303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IVANPAH VALLEY AIRPORT PUBLIC LANDS TRANSFER ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. JIM GIBBONS

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 9, 2000

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1695) to 
     provide for the conveyance of certain Federal public lands in 
     the Ivanpah Valley, Nevada, to Clark County, Nevada, for the 
     development of an airport facility, and for other purposes:

  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Chairman, I include the following letters of support 
for H.R. 1695, the Ivanpah Valley Airport Public Lands Transfer Act.

                                                  Airports Council


                                                International,

                                    Washington, DC, March 7, 2000.
       Dear Member of Congress: Airports Council International-
     North America urges your strong support of H.R. 1695, the 
     Ivanpah Valley Airport Public Lands Transfer Act. This 
     legislation would enable the Clark County, Nevada Department 
     of Aviation to buy 6,500 of federal land for a new airport to 
     serve Las Vegas.
       The number of air passengers traveling in the United States 
     in expected to increase from less than 700 million to over a 
     billion in just a few short years. We need to add airport 
     capacity across the nation to accommodate this growth.
       Air traffic at Las Vegas McCarran International airport 
     grew 11 percent last year alone, creating the prospect of 
     significant future delays if new runway and terminal 
     facilities are not built. Las Vegas is currently the tenth 
     busiest airport in the nation with connections to over 50 
     other cities. Delays in Las Vegas will mean delays in other 
     cities as well.
       The FAA Reauthorization package agreed to by the conferees 
     this week provides airports with much of the funding they 
     require to meet tomorrow's needs. In order for this important 
     work to be done, airports such as Las Vegas must be able to 
     overcome the environmental opposition to their expansion 
     projects. Existing airports all across the nation are facing 
     congestion in terminals and on runways. New airport capacity 
     is needed today.
       We urge you to support H.R. 1695.
           Sincerely,

                                              Jeffrey Goodell,

                               Vice President, Government Affairs.

                                  ____
                                  

                                              American Association


                                        of Airport Executives,

                                    Alexandria, VA, March 3, 2000.
     Hon. James Gibbons,
     U.S. Representative, Cannon House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Gibbons: The U.S. House of 
     Representatives will shortly be considering H.R. 1695, which 
     would permit Clark County, Nevada to purchase 6,500 acres of 
     federal land in the Ivanpah Valley for a future commercial 
     airport site. Your support, and that of your colleagues, is 
     critical to ensuring the continued economic vitality of 
     Southern Nevada well into the 21st Century.
       Passenger traffic at McCarran International Airport has 
     been increasing for the past 16 consecutive months. During 
     that period, passenger enplanements have risen by over 11 
     percent. Continued growth, at even a moderate rate, will 
     bring the Airport to its effective capacity by 2012. The 
     Clark County Department of Aviation estimates it will take at 
     least seven years to plan, design and construct the new 
     airport. I think you will agree that prompt congressional 
     action is critical.
       The Ivanpah Valley is the best location for a future second 
     airport to serve the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The 
     proposed location is 35 miles from the heart of the Las Vegas 
     valley, between Jean and Prim, Nevada. Also, it is bounded by 
     Interstate Highway 15 and main line of the Union Pacific 
     Railroad, giving the new airport excellent and essential 
     multimodal/intermodal surface access opportunities.
       Thank you again for your support and assistance. If further 
     information is desired, please do not hesitate to contact 
     Randall H. Walker, Director of Aviation at (702) 261-5150.
           Sincerely yours,

                                                 Todd Hauptli,

                                         Senior Vice President for
                                    Policy and Government Affairs.

                                  ____
                                  

                                                     Las Vegas

                                               Chamber of Commerce

           Resolution in Support of Ivanpah Airport Land Sale

       Whereas, visitors from outside the state directly and 
     indirectly account for more than half the state's economic 
     activity thereby constituting the economic lifeblood of 
     Nevada; and
       Whereas, airline passengers constitute nearly 50% of the 
     visitors to the Las Vegas Valley and this percentage is 
     likely to increase as Las Vegas adds to its presence as a 
     gateway for international travelers; and
       Whereas, McCarran International Airport has a capacity to 
     handle 55 million passengers annually. In 1999, over 33.6 
     million passengers used McCarran and growth projections 
     indicated the Airport could reach its capacity by the end of 
     this decade; and
       Whereas, having explored numerous options, the Clark County 
     Department of Aviation believes the Ivanpah Valley offers the 
     only feasible location for a second airport to service 
     commercial air cargo and passenger traffic; and
       Whereas, the County has committed to pay the Bureau of Land 
     Management fair market value for the property, conduct an 
     airspace analysis to minimize overflights of the Mojave 
     National Preserve, and draft a thorough Environmental Impact 
     Statement prior to initiating construction of the Ivanpah 
     Valley Airport; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce endorses and 
     supports the Department of Aviation's efforts to acquire 
     Ivanpah Valley land for an airport; and be it further
       Resolved, that the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce as the 
     representative of more than 6,000 member businesses in 
     Southern Nevada, encourages the House of Representatives to 
     pass H.R. 1695, providing the Bureau of Land Management with 
     the authority to sell the identified land in the Ivanpah 
     Valley to Clark County; and be it further
       Resolved, that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to 
     Nevada's Congressional delegation.
                                         Donald L. ``Pat'' Shalmy,
                                        President General Manager.

                                  ____
                                  

                                               Mirage Resorts,

                                     Las Vegas, NV, March 1, 2000.
     Hon. James Gibbons,
     U.S. Representative, Cannon House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Gibbons: The U.S. House of Representatives 
     will shortly be considering HR 1695 which would permit Clark 
     County, Nevada to purchase 6,500 acres of federal land in the 
     Ivanpah Valley for a future commercial airport site. Your 
     support, and that of your colleagues, is critical to ensuring 
     the continued economic vitality of Southern Nevada well into 
     the 21st Century.
       Passenger traffic at McCarran International Aiport has been 
     increasing for the past 16 consecutive months. During that 
     period, passenger enplanements have risen by over 11%. 
     Continued growth, at even a moderate rate, will bring the 
     Airport to its effective capacity by 2012. The Clark County 
     Department of Aviation estimates it will take at least seven 
     years to plan, design and construct the new airport. I think 
     you will agree that prompt congressional action is critical.
       The Ivanpah Valley is the best location for a future second 
     airport to serve the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The 
     proposed location is 35 miles from the heart of the Las Vegas 
     valley, between Jean and Prim, Nevada. Also, it is bounded by 
     Interstate Highway 15 and main line of the Union Pacific 
     Railroad, giving the new airport excellent and essential 
     multimodal/intermodal surface access opportunities.
       Thank you again for your support and assistance. If further 
     information is desired, please do not hesitate to contact 
     Randall H. Walker, Director Aviation at (702) 261-5150.
           Sincerely yours,
                                                    Putnam Mathur.

                                  ____
                                  

                                                    MGM Grand,

                                     Las Vegas, NV, March 1, 2000.
     Hon. James Gibbons,
     U.S. Representative, Cannon House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Gibbons: The U.S. House of Representatives 
     will shortly be considering HR 1695 which would permit Clark 
     County, Nevada to purchase 6,500 acres of federal land in the 
     Ivanpah Valley for a future commercial airport site. Your 
     support, and that of your colleagues, is critical to ensuring 
     the continued economic vitality of Southern Nevada well into 
     the 21st Century.
       Passenger traffic at McCarran International Airport has 
     been increasing for the past 16 consecutive months. During 
     that period, passenger enplanements have risen by over 11%. 
     Continued growth, at even a moderate rate, will bring the 
     Airport to its effective capacity by 2012. The Clark County 
     Department of Aviation estimates it will take at least seven 
     years to plan, design and construct the new airport. I think 
     you will agree that prompt congressional action is critical.
       The Ivanpah Valley is the best location for a future second 
     airport to serve the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The 
     proposed location is 35 miles from the heart of the Las Vegas 
     valley, between Jean and Primm, and

[[Page E303]]

     is bounded by Interstate Highway 15 and main line of the 
     Union Pacific Railroad, giving the new airport excellent and 
     essential multimodal/intermodal surface access opportunities.
       Thank you again for your support and assistance. If further 
     information is desired, please do not hesitate to contact 
     Randall H. Walker, Director of Aviation at (702) 261-5150.
           Sincerely yours,

                                        William J. Hornbuckle,

                                                     President and
                                          Chief Operating Officer.

                                  ____
                                  

                                         Del Webb Corporation,

                                     Henderson, NV, March 1, 2000.
     Hon. James Gibbons,
     U.S. Representative, 100 Cannon House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Jim Gibbons: As you are well aware, the 
     House of Representatives will shortly consider H.R. 1695, 
     which will permit Clark County, Nevada to purchase 6,500 
     acres of federal land in the Ivanpah Valley for a future 
     commercial airport site.
       I'm writing to encourage your support, and that of your 
     colleagues, for this important piece of legislation. It is 
     our belief that this bill is critical in order to ensure the 
     continued economic vitality of Southern Nevada for decades to 
     come. In just the last 16 months McCarran International 
     Airport has seen an 11% increase in passenger traffic and 
     will reach its effective capacity by the year 2012. Given the 
     time constraints and requirements to plan, design and 
     construct such a complex structure, the ability to acquire 
     the site through immediate passage is crucial.
       As a company that develops large tracts of land into 
     master-planned communities, we're well acquainted with the 
     limited land availability in the Las Vegas area and we 
     believe the Ivanpah Valley is the best location for a future 
     second airport. Also, immediate freeway access makes it an 
     ideal location.
       Additionally, we support the Clark County Department of 
     Aviation's attempt to purchase these needed lands from the 
     BLM. It is our understanding that they will pay for these 
     lands at an agreed upon value based upon appraisals 
     acceptable to both the BLM and the airport.
       Therefore, we join with other community business leaders 
     and agencies in encouraging your active support of this 
     legislation. We are prepared to assist in moving this 
     legislation forward.
       I look forward to seeing you again in the near future.
           Sincerely,

                                              Scott Higginson,

                                                   Vice President,
                                               Government Affairs.

                                  ____
                                  

                                        The City of Henderson,

                                    Henderson, NV, August 5, 1998.
     Re S. 1964 and H.R. 3705.

     Hon. Jim Gibbons,
     Longworth House Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Gibbons: I would like to let you know that 
     I am in full support of the above referenced legislation. As 
     you know Henderson's Sky Harbor Airport currently is a 
     reliever airport of small aircraft from the McCarran air 
     space and air traffic. As this region continues to grow, our 
     modes of effective and efficient transportation become an 
     increasingly important part of maintaining and improving our 
     economic strength.
       The Clark County Department of Aviation staff has 
     identified the Ivanpah Valley Airport as the prime location 
     for future air transportation into this region. This new 
     airport is absolutely critical for the Department of Aviation 
     to fulfill its mission of never allowing the lack of airport 
     infrastructure to be an impediment to people coming to visit 
     Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon or other destinations in this 
     region. I would like to thank you for your efforts to date 
     regarding this legislation and would encourage you to 
     continue to make every effort to seek passage this session.
       Legislation of this type is visionary and will help ensure 
     a bright future for Southern Nevada.
           Sincerely,
                                                  James B. Gibson,
                                                            Mayor.

                                  ____
                                  

                                      Hotel Employees & Restaurant


                                Employees International Union,

                                    Washington, DC, March 7, 2000.
     Hon. Shelley Berkley,
     Longworth House Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congresswoman Berkley: On behalf of the Hotel 
     Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union I want 
     to convey support for enactment of H.R. 1965, the Ivanpah 
     Valley Airport Public Lands Transfer Act. This bill will 
     facilitate the purchase of federal land approximately 35 
     miles south of Las Vegas for the construction of an 
     additional airport to serve southern Nevada. The phenomenal 
     growth of the Las Vegas economy has in turn triggered double 
     digit growth at McCarran International Airport.
       It is vitally important that the transportation 
     infrastructure be able to keep pace with growth in the hotel 
     industry. This bill is important if the tourist based economy 
     of Las Vegas is expected to continue to provide good paying 
     employment opportunities. I urge you and your colleagues in 
     the Congress to enact H.R. 1965 without amendment to pave the 
     way for a second airport for southern Nevada.
       Thank you.
           Sincerely,
                                                  John W. Wilhelm,
                                                General President.

                                  ____
                                  

                                                    Nevada Service


                                              Employees Union,

                                     Las Vegas, NV, March 3, 2000.
     Hon. James Gibbons,
     U.S. Representative, Cannon House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Gibbons: On behalf of Nevada Service 
     Employees Union, SEIU, Local 1107, we are writing to 
     communicate our support for the enactment of H.R. 1965, the 
     Ivanpah Valley Airport Public Lands Transfer Act.
       This bill is of extreme importance to the community and is 
     strongly supported by the membership of NSEU, SEIU, Local 
     1107.
       It is our belief that the Ivanpah Valley is the best 
     location for a second airport to serve the Las Vegas 
     metropolitan area.
       It is our further belief that the construction of this 
     additional facility is critical with respect to ensuring the 
     continued economic growth of Southern Nevada in that the 
     additional airport will be able to accommodate the needs of 
     Southern Nevada's vital industries.
       Accordingly, we urge your colleagues to enact H.R. 1965.
       Thank you in advance for your attention in this matter.
           Sincerely,
     Vicky Hedderman,
       President.
     Thomas M. Beatty,
       Executive Director.

                                  ____
                                  

                                        Southern Nevada Building &


                                  Construction Trades Council,

                                     Las Vegas, NV, March 2, 2000.
     Hon. James Gibbons,
     U.S. Representative, Cannon House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Gibbons: The U.S. House of Representatives 
     will shortly be considering HR1695 which would permit Clark 
     County, Nevada to purchase 6,500 acres of federal land in the 
     Ivanpah Valley for a future commercial airport site. Your 
     support, and that of your colleagues, is critical to ensuring 
     the continued economic vitality of Southern Nevada well into 
     the 21st Century.
       This bill is very important to the construction industry 
     and is strongly supported by the Southern Nevada Building and 
     Construction Trades.
       Passenger traffic at McCarran International Airport has 
     been increasing for the past 16 consecutive months. During 
     that period, passenger traffic has risen by over 11%. 
     Continued growth, at even a moderate rate, will bring the 
     Airport to its effective capacity by 2012. The Clark County 
     Department of Aviation estimates it will take at least seven 
     years to plan, design and construct the new airport. I think 
     you will agree that prompt congressional action is critical.
       The Ivanpah Valley is the best location for a future second 
     airport to serve the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The 
     proposed location is 35 miles from the heart of the Las Vegas 
     valley, between Jean and Primm, Nevada. Also, it is bounded 
     by Interstate Highway 15 and the main line of the Union 
     Pacific Railroad, giving the new airport excellent and 
     essential multimodal/intermodal surface access opportunities.
       Thank you again for your support and assistance. If further 
     information is desired, please do not hesitate to contact 
     Randall H. Walker, Director Aviation at (702) 261-5150.
           Sincerely yours,
                                                     Jack Jeffrey.

     

                          ____________________