Amodei’s Grand Land Swap Bill

A Fine Mess of Progress and Preservation

Congressman Mark Amodei has once again set his sights on rearranging Northern Nevada’s landscape by reintroducing the Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act, a scheme that aims to shuffle federal lands about like a deck of well-worn playing cards. If it finds favor in the halls of Congress, the bill would allow the conveyance and disposal of federal lands in various counties and cities across Nevada, presumably in the interest of progress, profit, and perhaps a little bit of common good.

At the same time, it designates roughly 148,000 acres of wilderness in Pershing and Douglas counties, ensuring that at least some portion of Nevada remains untouched by the eager hand of development. Not content with merely shifting land ownership, Amodei has also introduced the Ruby Mountains Protection Act, barring oil and gas leasing in over 300,000 acres of the Ruby Mountains.

It seems even Congress, for all its fondness for industry, has decided that some mountains are better left unspoiled.

“The Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act showcases the continuous effort to unlocking the potential of Nevada,” Amodei declared, no doubt with a straight face, as he balanced the promise of economic expansion with the need for conservation.

He extended his thanks to community members and tribal leaders, who have, in his words, “worked diligently” to ensure their voices get heard. Whether those voices sing in harmony remains to be seen.

Amodei admits that getting such a grand and complex land package through Congress has been no small task, likening it to an “uphill battle”—and anyone familiar with the workings of government would be hard-pressed to disagree. He remains determined, nevertheless, convinced that Nevada will see a victory in this session of Congress.

The legislative shuffle has been tried before in Congress. With the latest version, the bill restores provisions for wilderness and conservation in Douglas and Pershing counties, securing the approval of local elected officials.

The bill is nothing if not ambitious. In Douglas County alone, it transfers land for state parks, flood management, and public use while also allowing for the sale of thousands of acres. Incline Village gets a little slice, securing 14 acres for public use. Meanwhile, in Carson City, the bill moves over 200 acres into public hands for flood management, economic development, and removal of restrictions on previously held parcels.

Pershing County will get a “Checkerboard Resolution Area,” a term that sounds as though it ought to come with a long-winded explanation—and indeed, it does. Some 356,100 acres are subject to a streamlined sale or exchange process, while mining interests get granted the opportunity to purchase land at fair market value.

Elko County, ever eager for expansion, is set to receive nearly 4,000 acres for housing development and town expansion, with a shooting range thrown in for good measure. The City of Fernley will be allowed to purchase over 12,000 acres for economic development, while Sparks will see land granted for a cemetery and public parks. Even the Jean Prison site is in the mix, with its 480 acres poised for repurposing.

If nothing else, the bill demonstrates that land, much like politics, is a game of constant negotiation.