[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 79 (Monday, May 14, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6060-S6061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REID (for himself and Mr. Ensign):
  S. 1377. A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey to 
the City of Henderson, Nevada, certain Federal land located in the 
City, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today for myself and Senator Ensign 
to introduce the Southern Nevada Limited Transition Area Act. This bill 
will allow one of Nevada's fastest growing communities to diversify its 
economy, to create space for important small businesses and parks, and 
to encourage appropriate development around an urban airport.
  This legislation was first introduced in the 108th Congress. Its 
purpose is to convey approximately 502 acres of land from the Bureau of 
Land Management to the city of Henderson, NV, for the development of an 
employment and business center and urban green spaces. The parcels are 
located just west and south of the Henderson Executive Airport.
  The Bureau of Land Management has designated these parcels for 
disposal because of the urban surroundings, which renders them 
difficult for the agency to manage.
  This legislation will enhance the ability of a rapidly growing 
community to diversify its economy, gainfully employ its residents, and 
encourage proper land use. The parcels are located in a fast growing 
area of the city, but are impacted by aircraft noise and overflights 
from the nearby Henderson Executive Airport. This makes the property 
unsuitable for residential use. But rather than shying away from it 
because of the limitations on its use, the city of Henderson has put 
together a forward-looking plan that will turn the area into a bustling 
business center.
  Once the Bureau of Land Management conveys the land to Henderson, the 
city would then sell, lease or otherwise convey subdivided lots at fair 
market value. Consistent with the Southern Nevada Public Land 
Management Act, 85 percent of the proceeds would then return to the 
BLM's Special Account for a variety of conservation purposes in Nevada, 
10 percent will go towards community water developments, and 5 percent 
will support the State of Nevada's general education program.
  The city of Henderson's leaders are dedicated to making the city a 
national model of logical development, diversified employment, and 
fiscal sustainability. This bill helps establish the conditions needed 
to realize that vision. In addition to productively diversifying the 
land use pattern in the Las Vegas Valley, the proposed development of 
this land will encourage a broad range of employment opportunities for 
the region, while also helping to pay for public infrastructure in 
nearby residential areas.
  I greatly appreciated the hearing that the Energy and Natural 
Resources Committee had on this bill last Congress. At that hearing, 
the Department of the Interior and others expressed strong support for 
our legislation. A few minor revisions were requested by the 
administration, and I have incorporated those changes into the bill we 
are introducing today. I look forward to working with the committee to 
move this legislation in an expeditious manner during this Congress.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1377

       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 Limited 
     Transition Area Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) City.--The term ``City'' means the City of Henderson, 
     Nevada.
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (3) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Nevada.
       (4) Transition area.--The term ``Transition Area'' means 
     the approximately 502 acres of Federal land located in 
     Henderson, Nevada, and identified as ``Limited Transition 
     Area'' on the map entitled ``Southern Nevada Limited 
     Transition Area Act'' and dated March 20, 2006.

     SEC. 3. SOUTHERN NEVADA LIMITED TRANSITION AREA.

       (a) Conveyance.--Notwithstanding the Federal Land Policy 
     and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), on 
     request of the City, the Secretary shall, without 
     consideration and subject to all valid existing rights, 
     convey to the City all right, title, and interest of the 
     United States in and to the Transition Area.
       (b) Use of Land for Nonresidential Development.--
       (1) In general.--After the conveyance to the City under 
     subsection (a), the City may sell, lease, or otherwise convey 
     any portion or portions of the Transition Area for purposes 
     of nonresidential development.
       (2) Method of sale.--
       (A) In general.--The sale, lease, or conveyance of land 
     under paragraph (1) shall be through a competitive bidding 
     process.
       (B) Fair market value.--Any land sold, leased, or otherwise 
     conveyed under paragraph (1) shall be for not less than fair 
     market value.
       (3) Compliance with charter.--Except as provided in 
     paragraphs (2) and (4), the City may sell, lease, or 
     otherwise convey parcels within the Transition Area only in 
     accordance with the procedures for conveyances established in 
     the City Charter.
       (4) Disposition of proceeds.--The gross proceeds from the 
     sale of land under paragraph (1) shall be distributed in 
     accordance with section 4(e) of the Southern Nevada Public 
     Land Management Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2345).
       (c) Use of Land for Recreation or Other Public Purposes.--
     The City may elect to retain parcels in the Transition Area 
     for public recreation or other public purposes consistent 
     with the Act of June 14, 1926 (commonly known as the 
     ``Recreation and Public Purposes Act'') (43 U.S.C. 869 et 
     seq.) by providing to the Secretary written notice of the 
     election.
       (d) Noise Compatibility Requirements.--The City shall--
       (1) plan and manage the Transition Area in accordance with 
     section 47504 of title 49, United States Code (relating to 
     airport noise compatibility planning), and regulations 
     promulgated in accordance with that section; and
       (2) agree that if any land in the Transition Area is sold, 
     leased, or otherwise conveyed by the City, the sale, lease, 
     or conveyance shall contain a limitation to require uses 
     compatible with that airport noise compatibility planning.
       (e) Reversion.--
       (1) In general.--If any parcel of land in the Transition 
     Area is not conveyed for nonresidential development under 
     this Act or reserved for recreation or other public purposes 
     under subsection (c) by the date that 20 years after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the parcel of land shall, at the 
     discretion of the Secretary, revert to the United States.
       (2) Inconsistent use.--If the City uses any parcel of land 
     within the Transition Area in a manner that is inconsistent 
     with the uses specified in this section--

[[Page S6061]]

       (A) at the discretion of the Secretary, the parcel shall 
     revert to the United States; or
       (B) if the Secretary does not make an election under 
     paragraph (1), the City shall sell the parcel of land in 
     accordance with this section.
                                 ______