[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 22, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3259-S3260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. REID (for himself and Mr. Ensign):
  S. 2898. A bill to provide for the release of certain land from the 
Sunrise Mountain Instant Study Area in the State of Nevada; 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. The release will allow for 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. 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 1,200 acres of urban 
development from flooding, including 2,500 homes and three schools. The 
project will also 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. In just the 
last decade, Las Vegas Valley has been hit with five 100-year storm 
events. A severe thunderstorm in 1999 dropped over 3 inches of rain in 
1\1/2\ hours, resulting in a disaster declaration. 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.
  The House of Representatives has already taken up and passed this 
legislation during the current Congress. The version that I am 
introducing today reflects the amendments that were adopted in the 
House. 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.
  Mr. President, 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. 2898

       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. 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

[[Page S3260]]

       (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 the 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 Clark County, 
     Nevada, that is--
       (1) known as the ``Orchard Detention Basin''; and
       (2) designated for release on the map titled ``Orchard 
     Detention Basin'' and dated March 18, 2005.

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