[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 27, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4404-S4405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REID (for himself and Mr. Ensign):
  S. 916. A bill to provide for the release of certain land from the 
Sunrise Mountain Instant Study Area in the State of Nevada and to grant 
a right-of-way across the released land for the construction and 
maintenance of a flood control project; to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Orchard 
Detention Basin Flood Control Act for myself and Senator Ensign. This 
Act will release approximately 65 acres of land managed by the Bureau 
of Land Management in Clark County, NV; from the Sunrise Mountain 
Instant Study Area to allow the construction of an important flood 
control project.
  The Orchard Detention Basin project is part of the Clark County 
Regional Flood Control District's Master Plan to protect the Las Vegas 
Valley from flooding. This comprehensive floodplain management program 
is designed to protect private and public lands from flood damage and 
to save lives in this rapidly growing metropolitan area. When 
completed, the Orchard Detention Basin project will protect 
approximately 1,800 acres of urban development from flooding and reduce 
the magnitude of flooding further downstream.
  The boundary change executed by this legislation is needed because a 
portion of the detention basin project lies within the boundaries of 
the Sunrise Mountain Instant Study Area. An ``instant study area'' 
designation places development restrictions on public lands similar to 
those on wilderness study areas. This designation currently prevents 
the construction of this important flood control project, leaving the 
land and residents living downstream vulnerable to flood damage.
  Even though the Las Vegas Valley is a desert, flash flooding is an 
all too common problem affecting the people in Las Vegas. Along with 
property damage and deaths related to flooding, Clark County residents 
experience inconvenience resulting from impassable roads during 
flooding events. Support services such as police, fire and ambulance 
can also be delayed, creating life-threatening incidents.
  I look forward to working with the Energy Committee and my other 
distinguished friends to move this bill in a timely manner during the 
current session.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 916

       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 ``Orchard Detention Basin 
     Flood Control Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) County.--The term ``County'' means Clark County, 
     Nevada.
       (2) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled ``Orchard 
     Detention Basin'' and dated March 18, 2005.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

[[Page S4405]]

     SEC. 3. RELEASE OF CERTAIN LAND IN THE SUNRISE MOUNTAIN 
                   INSTANT STUDY AREA.

       (a) Finding.--Congress finds that the land described in 
     subsection (c) has been adequately studied for wilderness 
     designation under section 603 of the Federal Land Policy and 
     Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782).
       (b) Release.--The land described in subsection (c)--
       (1) is no longer subject to section 603(c) of the Federal 
     Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)); 
     and
       (2) shall be managed in accordance with--
       (A) land management plans adopted under section 202 of that 
     Act (43 U.S.C. 1712); and
       (B) cooperative conservation agreements in existence on the 
     date of enactment of this Act.
       (c) Description of Land.--The land referred to in 
     subsections (a) and (b) is the approximately 65 acres of land 
     in the Sunrise Mountain Instant Study Area of the County that 
     is--
       (1) known as the ``Orchard Detention Basin''; and
       (2) designated for release on the map.
       (d) Right-of-way.--The Secretary shall grant to the County 
     a right-of-way to the land described in subsection (c) for 
     the construction and maintenance of the Orchard Detention 
     Basin Project on the land.
                                 ______