Senators back flooding bill

WASHINGTON -- A strategy to divert floodwaters away from neighborhoods at the base of Sunrise Mountain picked up support in Congress this week.

Sens. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and John Ensign, R-Nev., sponsored a bill to remove 65 acres from a wilderness study area, clearing a way for the land to be conveyed to Clark County to become part of a 100-acre flood control project.

A House bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., and Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., passed on March 5.

The $9 million plan to redirect floodwaters along an earthen berm and into what is being called the Orchard Detention Basin is expected to protect 1,800 acres of Las Vegas Valley neighborhoods.

"The Las Vegas Valley has fallen victim to the damaging effects of flooding throughout the years," Ensign said. The bill "will seek to protect our communities in danger of flood waters by releasing land to construct a critical prevention project."

"This project will go a long way toward improving public safety," Reid said.

A Reid spokesman said the bill will be scheduled for a hearing before the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.