[House Report 119-279]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
119th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 119-279
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SLOAN CANYON CONSERVATION AND LATERAL PIPELINE
ACT
_______
September 15, 2025.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Westerman, from the Committee on Natural Resources, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 972]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 972) to amend the Sloan Canyon National
Conservation Area Act to adjust the boundary of the Sloan
Canyon National Conservation Area, and for other purposes,
having considered the same, reports favorably thereon without
amendment and recommends that the bill do pass.
Purpose of the Legislation
The purpose of H.R. 972 is to amend the Sloan Canyon
National Conservation Area Act to adjust the boundary of the
Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, and for other
purposes.
Background and Need for Legislation
In recent decades, southern Nevada has experienced a rapid
increase in population, which shows no signs of decelerating. A
study from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, predicts that
the region's population will rise to 3.4 million by 2060, up
from the 2.3 million recorded in 2022.\1\ Currently, 40 percent
of the region's drinking water is delivered through a single
pipeline, known as the South Valley Lateral, that was
constructed in the 1990s.\2\ In response to the recent influx
of residents to the region, and a marked increase in water
demand, the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) engaged in
years of study and coordinated with local stakeholders to
ensure that reliable water sources are accessible to all
residents and visitors in the Las Vegas Valley.
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\1\Staying on Track: UNLV's Population Forecast Continues to
Predict 1M More Residents in Southern Nevada, University of Nevada, Las
Vegas, August 12, 2022, https://www.unlv
.edu/news/release/staying-track-unlvs-population-forecast-continues-
predict-1m-more-residents-southern.
\2\ Southern Nevada Water Authority, ``Horizon Lateral'', https://
www.snwa.com/infrastructure-improvements/horizon-lateral/index.html.
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As a result of that study and coordination, SNWA is
proposing to construct a new water pipeline to meet the demands
of reliable drinking water for current and future residents. A
new water pipeline would help maintain water deliveries if the
South Valley Lateral suffered an outage or required repairs.\3\
The preferred southern route would be constructed in the
region's less-developed areas, including a portion running
underneath the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area (NCA).
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\3\Id.
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Established by Congress in November 2002, the NCA is one of
19 national conservation areas managed for conservation and
restoration and provides for multiple uses, including mining,
oil and gas leasing, and grazing.\4\ The Sloan Canyon NCA
encompasses 48,438 acres surrounding the Cities of Las Vegas
and Henderson, Nevada.\5\ The preferred route through the NCA,
when compared to a northern alternative route, saves taxpayers
an estimated $200 million and minimize disturbances to
residents.\6\ The proposed water pipeline would be underground,
causing minimal surface disturbance through the proposed route.
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\4\U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management,
``Monuments, Conservation Areas and Similar Designations'', https://
www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/monuments-ncas.
\5\U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management,
``Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area'', https://www.blm.gov/
programs/national-conservation-lands/nevada/sloan-canyon
-nca.
\6\Statement of U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV); https://
www.congress.gov/118/chrg/CHRG-118hhrg55272/CHRG-118hhrg55272.pdf.
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H.R. 972, the ``Sloan Canyon Conservation and Lateral
Pipeline Act,'' contains two major provisions. First, the bill
grants authority to the SNWA for the construction of a water
pipeline project under the Sloan Canyon NCA. Second, the bill
increases the size of the Sloan Canyon NCA area by more than
9,000 acres to 57,728 total acres. The bill allows for the use
of gravel,sand, and minerals obtained from tunneling for
parking lots and other infrastructure in the NCA. As the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) currently administers the additional acres, the
legislation would not add to the federal estate.
Committee Action
H.R. 972 was introduced on February 4, 2025, by
Representative Dina Titus (D-NV). The bill was referred to the
Committee on Natural Resources. On April 9, 2025, the Committee
on Natural Resources met to consider the bill. The bill was
then ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives
by unanimous consent.
Hearings
For the purposes of clause 3(c)(6) of House rule XIII, the
following hearing was used to develop or consider this measure:
hearing in the 118th Congress by the Subcommittee on Federal
Lands held on March 20, 2024.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 names the bill the ``Sloan Canyon Conservation
and Lateral Pipeline Act.''
Section 2. Definitions
Section 2 defines key terms in the legislation.
Section 3. Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area boundary adjustment
Section 3 of the legislation adjusts the boundary of the
Sloan Canyon NCA by an additional 9,290 acres. Further, Section
3 requires the BLM to grant SNWA access to rights-of-way in the
Sloan Canyon NCA for operating permanent water pipeline
infrastructure. Section 3 also authorizes the SNWA to use or
dispose of sand, gravel, minerals, or other materials obtained
from tunneling of the water pipeline. This section requires the
Secretary of the Interior and SNWA to enter into a memorandum
of understanding within 30 days of the approval of the use or
disposal of certain materials within the right-of-way. Finally,
this section clarifies that the expansion of the NCA boundary
is subject to valid existing rights-of-way and operations, as
well as future rights-of-way within existing corridors for both
transmission and other utilities.
Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations
Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Natural Resources' oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.
Compliance With House Rule XIII and
Congressional Budget Act
1. Cost of Legislation and the Congressional Budget Act.
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) and (3) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
sections 308(a) and 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974, the Committee has received the following estimate for the
bill from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office:
H.R. 972 would expand the Sloan Canyon National
Conservation area in Nevada by about 9,000 acres, subject to
valid existing rights. The bill also would direct the
Department of the Interior (DOI) to grant the Southern Nevada
Water Authority rights-of-way for the construction and
operation of a water pipeline and related facilities within and
outside the conservation area. The rights-of-way would be
provided at no cost to the water authority, subject to
environmental laws, and would include the right to excavate and
dispose of sand, gravel, and other materials resulting from
building the water infrastructure project.
The public land that would be added to the conservation
area and used for the rights-of-way is currently withdrawn from
mineral leasing, and any recreational activities that currently
take place would not be affected; thus, under the bill the
federal government would not forgo any receipts from those
activities.
Using information from DOI, CBO estimates that the
department would collect about $90,000 in fees from the water
authority for a required analysis of potential effects on
endangered species in the area. Those fees are recorded in the
federal budget as offsetting receipts (that is, as reductions
in direct spending) and would be available to spend without
further appropriation for land management activities within the
conservation area. On that basis, CBO estimates that enacting
the bill would have a negligible effect on net direct spending
over the 2025-2035 period.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Lilia Ledezma.
The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy
Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel,
Director, Congressional Budget Office.
2. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by
clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goal or
objective of this bill is to amend the Sloan Canyon National
Conservation Area Act to adjust the boundary of the Sloan
Canyon National Conservation Area, and for other purposes.
Earmark Statement
This bill does not contain any Congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined
under clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act Statement
According to the Congressional Budget Office, H.R. 972
contains no unfunded mandates as defined by the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act.
Existing Programs
Directed Rule Making. This bill does not contain any
directed rule makings.
Duplication of Existing Programs. This bill does not
establish or reauthorize a program of the federal government
known to be duplicative of another program. Such program was
not included in any report from the Government Accountability
Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139
or identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance published pursuant to the Federal Program
Information Act (Public Law 95-220, as amended by Public Law
98-169) as relating to other programs.
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
Preemption of State, Local or Tribal Law
Any preemptive effect of this bill over state, local, or
tribal law is intended to be consistent with the bill's
purposes and text and the Supremacy Clause of Article VI of the
U.S. Constitution.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made
by the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no
change is proposed is shown in roman):
SLOAN CANYON NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA ACT
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TITLE VI--SLOAN CANYON NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA
* * * * * * *
SEC. 603. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Conservation area.--The term ``Conservation
Area'' means the Sloan Canyon National Conservation
Area established by section 604(a).
(2) Federal parcel.--The term ``Federal parcel''
means the parcel of Federal land consisting of
approximately 500 acres that is identified as Tract A
on the map entitled ``SouthernNevada Public Land
Management Act'' and dated October 1, 2002.
(3) Management plan.--The term ``management plan''
means the management plan for the Conservation Area
developed under section 605(b).
(4) Map.--The term ``map'' means the [map entitled
``Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act'' and
dated October 1, 2002] map entitled ``Proposed Sloan
Canyon Expansion'' and dated May 20, 2024.
SEC. 604. ESTABLISHMENT.
(a) In General.--For the purpose described in section 602,
there is established in the State a conservation area to be
known as the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area.
(b) Area Included.--The Conservation Area shall consist of
approximately [48,438] 57,728 acres of public land in the
County, as generally depicted on the map.
(c) Map and Legal Description.--
(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
submit to Congress a map and legal description of the
Conservation Area.
(2) Effect.--The map and legal description shall
have the same force and effect as if included in this
section, except that the Secretary may correct minor
errors in the map or legal description.
(3) Public availability.--A copy of the map and
legal description shall be on file and available for
public inspection in the appropriate office of the
Bureau of Land Management.
SEC. 605. MANAGEMENT.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Director
of the Bureau of Land Management, shall manage the Conservation
Area--
(1) in a manner that conserves, protects, and
enhances the resources of the Conservation Area; and
(2) in accordance with--
(A) the Federal Land Policy and Management
Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); and
(B) other applicable law, including this
Act.
(b) Management Plan.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in
consultation with the State, the city of Henderson, the
County, and any other interested persons, shall develop
a management plan for the Conservation Area.
(2) Requirements.--The management plan shall--
(A) describe the appropriate uses and
management of the Conservation Area;
(B)(i) authorize the use of motorized
vehicles in the Conservation Area--
(I) for installing, repairing,
maintaining, and reconstructing water
development projects, including
guzzlers, that would enhance the
Conservation Area by promoting healthy,
viable, and more naturally distributed
wildlife populations; and
(II) subject to any limitations
that are not more restrictive than the
limitations on such uses authorized in
wilderness areas under section 208; and
(ii) include or provide recommendations on
ways of minimizing the visual impacts of such
activities on the Conservation Area;
(C) include a plan for litter cleanup and
public lands awareness campaign on public lands
in and around the Conservation Area; and
(D) include a recommendation on the
location for a right-of-way for a rural roadway
to provide the city of Henderson with access to
the Conservation Area, in accordance with the
application numbered N-65874.
(c) Uses.--The Secretary shall allow only such uses of the
Conservation Area that the Secretary determines will further
the purpose described in section 602.
(d) Motorized Vehicles.--Except as needed for
administrative purposes or to respond to an emergency, the use
of motorized vehicles in the Conservation Area shall be
permitted only on roads and trails designated for the use of
motorized vehicles by the management plan developed under
subsection (b).
(e) Withdrawal.--
(1) In general.--Subject to valid existing rights,
all public land in the Conservation Area is withdrawn
from--
(A) all forms of entry and appropriation
under the public land laws;
(B) location, entry, and patent under the
mining laws; and
(C) operation of the mineral leasing,
mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws.
(2) Additional land.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, if the Secretary acquires mineral or
other interests in a parcel of land within the
Conservation Area after the date of enactment of this
Act, the parcel is withdrawn from operation of the laws
referred to in paragraph (1) on the date of acquisition
of the land.
(f) Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping.--
(1) In general.--Nothing in this title affects the
jurisdiction of the State with respect to fish and
wildlife, including hunting, fishing, and trapping in
the Conservation Area.
(2) Limitations.--
(A) Regulations.--The Secretary may
designate by regulation areas in which, and
establish periods during which, for reasons of
public safety, administration, or compliance
with applicable laws, no hunting, fishing, or
trapping will be permitted in the Conservation
Area.
(B) Consultation.--Except in emergencies,
the Secretary shall consult with the
appropriate State agency before promulgating
regulations under subparagraph (A) that close a
portion of the Conservation Area to hunting,
fishing, or trapping.
(g) No Buffer Zones.--
(1) In general.--The establishment of the
Conservation Area shall not create an express or
implied protective perimeter or buffer zone around the
Conservation Area.
(2) Private land.--If the use of, or conduct of an
activity on, private land that shares a boundary with
the Conservation Area is consistent with applicable
law, nothing in this title concerning the establishment
of the Conservation Area shall prohibit or limit the
use or conduct of the activity.
(h) Horizon Lateral Pipeline Right-of-Way.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding sections 202 and
503 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712, 1763) and subject to valid
existing rights and paragraph (3), the Secretary of the
Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of
Land Management (referred to in this subsection as the
``Secretary''), shall, not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this subsection, grant to the
Southern Nevada Water Authority (referred to in this
subsection as the ``Authority''), not subject to the
payment of rents or other charges, the temporary and
permanent water pipeline infrastructure, and outside
the boundaries of the Conservation Area, powerline,
facility, and access road rights-of-way depicted on the
map for the purposes of--
(A) performing geotechnical investigations
within the rights-of-way; and
(B) constructing and operating water
transmission and related facilities.
(2) Excavation and disposal.--
(A) In general.--The Authority may, without
consideration, excavate and use or dispose of
sand, gravel, minerals, or other materials from
the tunneling of the water pipeline necessary
to fulfill the purpose of the rights-of-way
granted under paragraph (1).
(B) Memorandum of understanding.--Not later
than 30 days after the date on which the
rights-of-way are granted under paragraph (1),
the Secretary and the Authority shall enter
into a memorandum of understanding identifying
Federal land on which the Authority may dispose
of materials under subparagraph (A) to further
the interests of the Bureau of Land Management.
(3) Requirements.--A right-of-way issued under this
subsection shall be subject to the following
requirements:
(A) The Secretary may include reasonable
terms and conditions, consistent with section
505 of the Federal Land Policy and Management
Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1765), as are necessary
to protect Conservation Area resources.
(B) Construction of the water pipeline
shall not permanently adversely affect
conservation area surface resources.
(C) The right-of-way shall not be located
through or under any area designated as
wilderness.
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