Thursday, September 30, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Reid floats second site for county heliport

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WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Wednesday he wants to change a bill that singles out federal land near Sloan for a county heliport, adding a second site on the Las Vegas Valley's east end as a possible alternative.

With a 229-acre parcel south of Sloan opposed by conservationists and the Las Vegas Paiute tribe, and questioned by the Bureau of Land Management, Reid suggested amending the bill to add a BLM parcel adjacent to the Sunrise Landfill as a second choice.

Clark County commissioners ultimately could choose between the two, he said.

"We just need that option," Reid said.

Reid's shift came to light as a Senate public lands subcommittee convened a hearing on the legislation, which was introduced on May 4 by Nevada's congressional delegation.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., Reps. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., and Shelley Berkley now endorse adding a second site, according to spokesmen. Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., was hesitant about adding the Sunrise site as an option, his spokesman said.

"Congressman Porter's biggest concern is the residents and families that would be impacted if the site were there," Porter spokesman Adam Mayberry said. "It's in the heart of his district."

The House Resources Committee already has passed a bill singling out the Sloan site, but House aides said it could be amended. Reid said he would push for changes only if they wouldn't hold up the bill.

The Sunrise site was originally discarded by Clark County and Henderson officials, residents and air tour companies seeking to divert noisy helicopters away from neighborhoods near McCarran International Airport where air tours originate.

At a House hearing earlier this month, McCarran Aviation Director Randy Walker said the Sunrise site was a concern to tour operators because of its location.

"To get to the Sunrise site, you have to go through residential neighborhoods and it takes longer to get there," Walker said.

But conservationists have promoted the Sunrise location as an alternative to flying helicopters over the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area.

"That's what we've been asking for," said Bill James, vice president of the citizens group Friends of Sloan Canyon, who attended the Senate hearing. "With this, both sites can proceed on equal footing."

Selection of a second site might also ease BLM concerns that helicopter flights crossing the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area would diminish visitor solitude and impact the desert bighorn sheep.

The bill creates a two-mile path over the heart of the McCullough Wilderness Area in the southern region of Sloan Canyon.

Nevada wildlife biologists, conservation groups and American Indians fear that fights every four minutes over the canyon would greatly impact wildlife, cultural sites and recreation.

Although air tour operators would prefer to stay at McCarran, operators acknowledge they might not be able to afford to stay there much longer. The Clark County Department of Aviation is raising fuel and rent costs for all users.

John Sullivan, chief executive officer of Sundance Helicopters, said either site would be suitable to base his operations to the Grand Canyon.

"It does pass one test in my mind. It's not that far out of town," Sullivan said of the new option.

Meanwhile, the BLM on Wednesday repeated its complaints about giving federal land to Clark County for free. Scott Cameron, deputy assistant secretary for performance and management at the Interior Department, said Clark County should pay an estimated $57 million for the Sloan parcel.

Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, chairman of the Senate public lands subcommittee, said he could support the no-cost transfer.

"Generally, I have no difficulties in that kind of conveyance," Craig said after the hearing.

Reid said he would not alter the bill to compensate the BLM.

"The county can't afford that," he said. "It's just ridiculous."