[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 1, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1061-S1062]
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. 427. 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 with my good friend Senator 
Ensign to introduce the Sloan Hills Withdrawal Act of 2010.
  For nearly a decade, there has been heated debate over a proposal to 
permit a sand and gravel mine on public lands next door to a Henderson 
community with over 13,000 residents--many of whom are retired seniors. 
Local citizens have voiced serious safety and community health concerns 
about the mine. I have listened to their concerns and share their 
opposition to the mine.
  That is why I am re-introducing legislation to 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. This legislation ensures the 
safety of Nevadans and puts an end to this proposed mining operation 
once and for all.
  The opposition to the proposed gravel mine is overwhelming. I have 
received petitions with thousands--literally thousands--of signatures 
from people who are up in arms over the proposed gravel mine because of 
its potential effect on the health of residents and the toll that 
operations would have on an otherwise peaceful community. The project 
would be located on federal land, so local governments are limited in 
their ability to influence the outcome of the Sloan Hills proposal. It 
is clear, though, that the location envisioned for this project is not 
in the best interests of our community.
  Despite strong local opposition, the Bureau of Land Management has 
undertaken an evaluation of the proposed gravel operation at Sloan 
Hills. If approved, the resulting mine would blast rock, crush gravel, 
kick up dust, and consume precious water resources up to twenty-four 
hours a day, every day, for thirty years. This would all be done just a 
stone's throw away from peaceful Henderson neighborhoods. Residents are 
justifiably worried that this project will reduce their home values, 
harm their health, and impact their overall quality of life.
  Most troublesome to Henderson residents are large clouds of fine 
particulate matter that would be generated by mining activities at the 
Sloan Hills site. This dust pollution, kicked up by the proposed gravel 
operation, could exacerbate air quality challenges in the Las Vegas 
Valley and would be particularly troublesome for the nearby, age-
restricted communities--home to many seniors already suffering from 
respiratory problems.
  This bill is important to me and to the people of southern Nevada. I 
want to thank Steve Sisolak, vice chair of the Clark County Commission, 
for all his hard work championing this issue in Southern Nevada. 
Keeping our communities safe, healthy, and livable 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.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 427

       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 ``Sloan Hills Withdrawal 
     Act''.

[[Page S1062]]

     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 
     Withdrawal Area'' and dated February 24, 2011.
       (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.

                          ____________________