[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 5, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3167-S3168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REID:
  S. 3313. A bill to withdraw certain land located in Clark County, 
Nevada from location, entry, and patent under the mining laws and 
disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing 
or mineral materials, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Sloan Hills 
Withdrawal Act of 2010.
  Over the past year, I have been contacted by thousands of people in 
southern Nevada who have voiced serious concerns about a proposed 
aggregate mining operation that would be located on federal land very 
near Henderson, Nevada. I have a simple goal with the legislation that 
I am introducing today. My bill will stop the development of the 
proposed 640-acre gravel pit by withdrawing the area from location, 
entry, and patent under the mining laws and disposition under all laws 
pertaining to mineral materials. In short, this legislation makes sure 
that the proposed gravel operations at Sloan Hills will not go forward.
  The Bureau of Land Management, BLM, is currently evaluating a 
proposal for a major gravel operation at the site in question. If 
approved, the resulting mine would blast rock, crush gravel, kick up 
dust, and consume precious water resources up to 24 hours a day, every 
day, for 30 years. This would all be done just a few miles from 
numerous Henderson neighborhoods.
  Citizens from all over Clark County have rallied against this project 
because of its potential effect on the health of residents and the toll 
that the blasting other operations would have on an otherwise peaceful 
community. Because this project would be on Federal land local 
governments are limited in their ability to influence the outcome of 
the Sloan Hills proposal. It is clear to all of us, though, that the 
proposed location for this gravel quarry is not in the best interest of 
our community.
  One of the major points of concern raised by Henderson residents is 
the large clouds of fine particulate matter that would be generated by 
mining activities at the Sloan Hills site. The dust kicked up by the 
proposed gravel operation would undoubtedly complicate the current air 
quality challenges in the Las Vegas Valley and would be particularly 
troublesome for members of nearby, age-restricted communities that have 
seniors already suffering from respiratory problems. Blasting and rock-
crushing operations are also expected to generate noise and vibrations 
that will interfere with residents' daily lives.
  This bill is important to me and to the people of southern Nevada. 
Keeping our communities safe and healthy is critical. I appreciate your 
help and I look forward to working with Chairman Bingaman, Ranking 
Member Murkowski and the other distinguished members of the Senate 
Energy Committee to move this legislation forward in the near future.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.

                                S. 3313

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

[[Page S3168]]

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Sloan Hills Withdrawal 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. WITHDRAWAL OF SLOAN HILLS AREA OF CLARK COUNTY, 
                   NEVADA.

       (a) Definition of Federal Land.--In this section, the term 
     ``Federal land'' means the land identified as the 
     ``Withdrawal Zone'' on the map entitled ``Sloan Hills Area'' 
     and dated May 5, 2010.
       (b) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid rights in existence on 
     the date of introduction of this Act, the Federal land is 
     withdrawn from all forms of--
       (1) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
       (2) disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and 
     geothermal leasing or mineral materials.
                                 ______