Interior Department Announces $348 Million for Conservation Projects in Nevada and California

Funding for 62 projects is made available through the sale of public lands

10/07/2021
Last edited 10/07/2021

Date: Thusday, October 7, 2021
Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov

WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior announced today it will commit more than $348 million for 62 projects throughout Nevada and the California side of the Lake Tahoe Basin dedicated to recreation improvement, wildlife habitat conservation, hazardous fuels reduction, wildfire prevention, and other purposes. Funding for the projects was generated through the sale of public lands under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA).

As Nevada and California battle historic wildfires, including around the Lake Tahoe Basin, this funding includes over $50 million in investments for 15 projects that will address hazardous fuels reduction and wildfire prevention. 

“Since 1998, sales of public land within the Las Vegas Valley have been funding projects that benefit communities and improve the overall quality of life for residents and visitors. This program makes a significant investment in supporting jobs and local economies throughout Nevada and the Lake Tahoe Basin,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “These funds will improve recreation opportunities in rural and low-income communities, and contribute to the 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.”

Since enactment, SNPLMA has generated almost $4 billion through 18 rounds for projects that benefit public places in Nevada, the California side of the Lake Tahoe Basin, and the portion of Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Arizona. Expenditures include development of parks, trails, and natural areas; capital improvements; 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 18:

Expenditure Category 

Total Funding  

Parks, Trails and Natural Areas  

$128,851,488  

Capital Improvements 

$117,442,106  

Conservation Initiatives 

$17,207,549  

Environmentally Sensitive Land Acquisitions 

$323,385  

Hazardous Fuels Reduction and Wildfire Prevention 

$50,686,549  

Eastern Nevada Landscape Restoration Project 

$15,986,773  

Multi-species Habitat Conservation Plan 

$7,641,000  

Category Totals 

$338,138,850  

Special Account Reserve 

$10,000,000  

Total Round 17 Recommendation 

$348,138,850  

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

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