Office of the Secretary For Immediate Release: Feb. 7, 2006 |
Contact: John Wright, 202-208-6416
Jo Simpson 775- 861-6586 or Cell: 775-722-9796 |
Secretary Norton Approves $1 Billion for Expenditures
Under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act
The approval funds 50 projects for Lake Tahoe Restoration |
"Through the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act we are providing opportunities for communities to grow and residents as well as visitors to enjoy the outdoors," Norton said. "The Act provides for growth and development in one of the fastest growing areas in the nation."
Secretary Norton approved 230 projects under SNPLMA Round 6 in the following categories:
"Lake Tahoe is a place of tranquil beauty," said Norton. "The restoration efforts at Lake Tahoe will not only benefit the residents and visitors to Nevada, but will also benefit neighboring California.
Among the 230 projects being approved today, 50 projects will fund Lake Tahoe restoration efforts. The Incline Lake property at Lake Tahoe is among the eight land
acquisitions approved. This important acquisition will provide vast cultural, natural, resource and recreational values, as well as a key opportunity to achieve better management of public land by consolidating federal ownership. Incline Lake is the source of approximately 25 percent of the watershed area for Third Creek, a significant source of water for Lake Tahoe.
The Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is authorized under SNPLMA to sell public lands, within a specific area in the Las Vegas Valley, through public auctions twice a year. Funds collected through the sale of these lands remain in the state of Nevada and are used for the creation of parks, trails, and natural areas; capital improvements; acquisition of environmentally sensitive land; the Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan projects; and Lake Tahoe restoration projects. Additionally, 15 percent of the revenue goes to the Nevada General Education fund
(5 percent) and the Southern Nevada Water Authority (10 percent).
To date, BLM has more than 12,900 acres for approximately $2.74 billion. In the most recent sale, held November 16, 2005, more than 2,800 acres were sold, generating approximately $762 million. The next SNPLMA land sale is scheduled for June 28, 2006 in Las Vegas. For more information, please visit www.blm.gov and click on the State Highlight section under Nevada.
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