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Public Lands
Nevadans must have a seat at the table
A significant issue for Nevadans, which dovetails with economic growth, is public land management. I believe that it is possible to leverage our natural resources in an economically and environmentally responsible way.
As a member of the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, I am advancing legislation to strengthen local control over the federal lands, which compromise more than 85 percent of the state. I think that local communities should be able to decide for themselves the best uses for public lands to spur economic growth.
I'll continue to work with the support of my western colleagues to pass legislation to help Nevada leverage its vast public lands, while preserving our unique landscape and way of life. In these efforts, I am always cognizant of the importance of water rights and multi-use access.
Common sense federal solutions to our public land designations are possible, but local communities must have a seat at the table to overcome the "Washington knows best" mentality that routinely ignores the best interests of local stakeholders.
During my time in Congress I introduced more than a dozen bills related to land use decision in Nevada. This Congress I have introduced and will continue to introduce even more. The ultimate goal for each individual bill is to reduce the amount of federal land in each county and increase the land use decision making process to locally elected officials, communities, and stakeholders – not by bureaucrats at the BLM or Forest Service.
Nevada Native Nations Land Act - Hungry Valley Access Area
During the 114th Congress, I reintroduced the Nevada Native Nations Land Act as H.R. 2733 on June 11, 2015. This legislation was agreed to under unanimous consent in both the House and the Senate, and was signed into law by the President on October 7, 2016.
As you may know, a provision included in the Nevada Native Nations Land Act facilitated the transfer of approximately 13,000 acres of land surrounding the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony (RSIC) in Hungry Valley to the Tribe as an expansion of its previous jurisdiction. While this bill was supported by the Nevada congressional delegation, Washoe County, RSIC, and multiple off-highway vehicle (OHV) organizations, there were still some questions from local stakeholders regarding multiple-use access to these lands. This is why I wanted to share the facts surrounding the implementation of this specific provision, and the steps the RSIC is taking to ensure all Nevadans are able to enjoy access to the land surrounding the Hungry Valley region.
On April 12, 2017, the RSIC passed a resolution (attachment 1) designating an area of their land that will remain open for ATV usage, as well as a designated ATV/OHV north-south access route that passes through the Tribe’s lands to provide access to the Moon Rocks recreation area and surrounding public lands.
Below is a map illustrating the tribal boundaries and the designated routes (attachment 2).
While target shooting, camping without a permit, and campfires are not permitted on the Tribe’s land, it will continue to allow non-destructive uses of the land such as: hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding. The RSIC’s resolution is effective through the end of 2017 and subject to renewal after review by the Tribal Council.
When it comes to land management decisions such as this, I’m always appreciative of a collaborative and transparent process which allows us to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome for all stakeholders. In this case, this resolution balances the unique needs of our Nevada tribal nations with those of local ranchers, land owners, and businesses.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my Washington office at 202-225-6155. We’re happy to answer any concerns you may have.
Congressional Western Caucus:
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