Promoting National Security and Preserving Access to Public Land in Southern Nevada Act of 2023
The bill's passage will have significant implications for land management and conservation efforts in Nevada. It mandates that the Secretary of the Interior manage and protect the newly designated areas according to existing conservation principles while allowing specific military activities to continue in designated zones within the conservation area. This dual approach aims to ensure both the preservation of natural landscapes and the facilitation of military readiness, which is often essential for national security purposes.
Senate Bill 3134, titled the ‘Promoting National Security and Preserving Access to Public Land in Southern Nevada Act of 2023,’ aims to amend various statutes related to the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area and military activities at the Nevada Test and Training Range. This bill proposes to adjust the boundaries of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area to expand it, thereby providing increased protection to the natural resources and habitat within that area. It also allows the inclusion of certain land interests owned by the city of North Las Vegas and the Apex Industrial Park Owners Association into the conservation area, aiming to enhance local jurisdiction over these lands.
Despite its supportive framework for conservation, the bill has faced opposition from some environmental and local advocacy groups. Critics argue that by modifying conservation area boundaries and permitting certain military operations, the bill may compromise critical ecosystems and wildlife habitats. Specifically, concerns have been raised regarding the possible impacts of military activities on public access and environmental quality in the conservation area. Opponents advocate for stricter protections without such allowances for military use, fearing it could set a precedent that undermines the conservation goals of the area.