Friday, August 06, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
INTERIOR SECRETARY VISITS: Parks, trails get big boost
Sale of public lands yields $493 million to improve recreation, conservation areas
By KEITH ROGERS
REVIEW-JOURNAL
Interior Secretary Gale Norton walks down a path Thursday at Las Vegas Springs Preserve with Clark County Commissioner Chip Maxfield, left, and U.S. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev. She later signed a record funding authorization for parks, trails and conservation projects in Nevada.
Photo by K.M. Cannon.
Click image for enlargement.
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Interior Secretary Gale Norton set aside funds Thursday from the sale of Southern Nevada public lands to benefit parks, trails and open spaces and purchase environmentally sensitive lands.
Most of the $493 million -- 89 percent -- will be spent in Clark County, including more than $97 million on capital improvements at national recreation and conservation areas.
Such projects as development of a science education center at Oliver Ranch in Red Rock Canyon and a Spring Mountains gateway information center in Kyle Canyon were included in the funding.
At a ceremony with Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., and Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., Norton signed the record funding authorization at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve near U.S. Highway 95 and Valley View Boulevard, where $27 million will be spent on interpretive trails and park development projects.
The setting of the historic spring pools surrounded by cattails and reeds was appropriate, Berkley said, because it is "the very location where Las Vegas got started," where American Indians, Spanish traders and early settlers came for water in the middle of the desert.
Norton said the the 1998 law that allows public land auctions in Southern Nevada to pay for conservation and water projects, with 5 percent of the proceeds earmarked for an interest-bearing education account, has become a model for the nation.
Through the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act, land sales in the Las Vegas Valley now have provided the fifth round of funding, topping the previous round by more than $130 million.
"It's something that other parts of the country are looking at as they see the example coming from Southern Nevada," Norton said after the signing.
Ensign said the act has worked better than he thought, estimating at first that public land sales would generate $1.5 billion for conservation, recreation and the environment. Now he believes that with only a small fraction of the available lands sold, future sales could push the revenues closer to $4 billion as the average cost per acre continues to increase.
Eleven environmentally sensitive land tracts, such as private holdings in Red Rock Canyon and the Hacienda Hotel site at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, will be purchased for public ownership for a combined $47 million.
The funding request also includes $37 million for Lake Tahoe restoration projects in Northern Nevada.
"In the previous two rounds, too much of the money went to other parts of the state. I'm pleased to say ... 89 percent of it is staying in Southern Nevada," Ensign said.
The funding approved Thursday by Norton includes $15.8 million for development of a public facility for sport shooting near Moccasin Road west of Decatur Boulevard.
Nearly $26 million combined for five projects will be spent on restoration, trails and facilities at the Clark County Wetlands Park.
An additional $15.8 million will pay for enhancing picnic areas, hiking and bicycling trails and bird watching areas at Sunset Regional Park.
Norton, who as interior secretary oversees Colorado River water supply issues, was asked whether there is enough water available to support the future suburban growth made possible by the land sales. The river is the primary source of water for Southern Nevada and the rest of the Southwest.
"We've been working on the state of Nevada on water. We know there are some tough issues as the drought continues," Norton said.
She noted that Bureau of Land Management staffs in her department work closely with local authorities to ensure that the availability of water and public services are tied with land sales.
In general, she said states in the Southwest are faced with similar consequences in finding water supplies for future growth.
"We're trying to get the states to work together to find solutions for the long term," she said.
