Interior Department Announces $417 Million for Recreation and Restoration Projects in Nevada and California

03/16/2023
Last edited 06/03/2025

Date: Thursday, March 16, 2023
Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov

WASHINGTON—The Department of the Interior today announced it will commit more than $417 million for 47 projects dedicated to recreation improvement, wildlife habitat conservation, hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire prevention, and other purposes throughout Nevada and on the California side of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Funding for the projects was generated through the sale of public lands under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA).

“Since 1998, public land sales in the Las Vegas Valley have funded projects that benefit communities and improve the overall quality of life for residents and visitors,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “Today’s investment continues that effort by supporting jobs and local economies, improving recreation opportunities in rural and low-income communities, and advancing Biden-Harris administration’s America the Beautiful initiative’s goal to conserve at least 30 percent each of our lands and waters by the year 2030.”

Under SNPLMA, the Bureau of Land Management uses proceeds from land sales within a congressionally designated area in the Las Vegas Valley to fund conservation and public benefit projects across Nevada.

Since its enactment, SNPLMA has generated more than $4 billion through 19 rounds, funding projects that benefit public places in Nevada, on the California side of the Lake Tahoe Basin, and in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Funded projects have supported the development of parks, trails, and natural areas; public infrastructure; conservation initiatives; multi-species habitat conservation plans; acquisition of environmentally sensitive land; hazardous fuels reduction projects in the Spring Mountains, Carson Range, and at Lake Tahoe; landscape restoration projects in eastern Nevada; and environmental restoration at Lake Tahoe. Additionally, five percent of the revenue generated under SNPLMA goes to the State of Nevada General Education Fund and 10 percent goes to the Southern Nevada Water Authority.

The following is a list of funding approval by category for Round 19:

 Expenditure Category 

Total Recommended Funding  

 Environmentally Sensitive Land Acquisitions  

 $4,930,923 

 Capital Improvements  

 $89,014,539 

 Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan  

 $3,501,521 

 Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas  

 $232,303,774 

 Conservation Initiatives  

 $7,870,899 

 Eastern Nevada Landscape Restoration Project  

 $12,066,350 

 Hazardous Fuels Reduction and Wildfire Prevention   

 $17,455,760 

 Category Totals  

 $367,143,766 

 Special Account Reserve  

 $50,000,000 

 Total Recommendation  

 $417,143,766 

Entities receiving funds include Carson City, City of Henderson, City of Las Vegas, City of North Las Vegas, Clark County, Lincoln County, White Pine County, State of Nevada, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

For more information about SNPLMA, including individual projects, please visit the BLM’s website.

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