BLM to launch new payment system

WASHINGTON -- The Bureau of Land Management is preparing to unveil a new financial system intended to speed payments for new parks and trails in Southern Nevada, agency officials said Thursday.

The BLM in October will roll out Internet-based payments to local governments that are creating recreation areas with federal funds generated by public land auctions.

After submitting annual plans, communities in Clark, Lincoln and White Pine counties will claim quarterly payments electronically. Currently, local governments are reimbursed on invoices, a process that takes 60 to 90 days, officials said.

"It will be helpful," said Lew Wallenmeyer, Clark County director of air quality and environmental management.

The county established a $30 million revolving fund for the flow of expenses and reimbursements for roughly 33 projects authorized through the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act. The projects included the Flamingo Wash Trail and the Clark County Sports Shooting Park.

An amendment sponsored last year by Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., directed the BLM to change the payment system.

"To build new parks and trails, local governments have to pay first and get reimbursed later, which is an extreme financial burden," Ensign said. "Having the funds up front will cause long-delayed park projects to kick into high gear."

"All of our communities will benefit from this change," said Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev. "This change that the Bureau of Land Management is implementing will make it possible for projects to get completed much faster."

The Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act that was enacted in 1998 directed the BLM to identify excess properties in the Las Vegas Valley and schedule them for auctions. The agency then funnels the profits to Nevada schools, and water management, and parks, recreation and conservation projects.