March 30, 2009

Senator Reid stands with President Obama at a signing ceremony for the Omnibus Public Land Act of 2009, which includes many projects important to Nevada.

Washington, D.C. -Nevada Senator Harry Reid today attended a ceremony at the White House where President Barack Obama signed the Omnibus Public Land Act of 2009. Through Reid's leadership, the U.S. Senate passed this important lands bill that includes a number of beneficial projects for our state.

"I took great pleasure in watching President Obama sign this legislation that is so important to Nevada into law," said Reid. "From strengthening economic development to helping people suffering from cancer, the bill the president signed today will help communities across the state."
 
Following is a list of Nevada projects:
 
Projects benefitting Southern Nevada:

• The Nevada Cancer Institute Expansion Act will provide 80 acres of land to the Nevada Cancer Institute. The non-profit Nevada Cancer Institute will use the parcel to build a facility devoted to developing new treatments for Nevadans afflicted with cancer.
• The Orchard Detention Basin Flood Control Act releases a small section of the Sunrise Mountain Instant Study Area to allow for construction of a flood control project that will help protect nearly 5,000 homes, schools and businesses in nearby neighborhoods. The bill also helps expedite the remediation of the Sunrise Landfill.
• The Southern Nevada Limited Transition Area Act conveys land near the Henderson airport from the Bureau of Land Management to the City of Henderson for the development of a new economic hub and urban green spaces.
• The Cold War Historical Sites Study Act requires the Department of the Interior to evaluate sites and resources for commemorating and interpreting the Cold War, including the Mt. Charleston Plane Crash Memorial.
  

Projects benefitting Northern Nevada:

• The Reno ReTRAC Act removes restrictions on land owned by the City of Reno in and around the downtown railroad corridor. It will allow for new development on up to 120 acres in Reno's urban core.
• The Carson City Vital Community Act increases open space opportunities in Carson City and helps the city pursue its smart growth plans. The bill includes a land exchange between the city and the Forest Service, giving each entity land that is more suited to its mission and management abilities. The legislation also conveys the Silver Saddle Ranch and Prison Hill to Carson City for continued public use, with a conservation easement retained by the Bureau of Land Management. The Carson City land bill is the 4th in a series of county land bills that the Nevada congressional delegation has passed in recent years.
• The Aging Water Infrastructure and Maintenance Act was introduced by Sen. Reid following the devastating Fernley flood. This bill provides resources and direction to the Bureau of Reclamation to inspect and maintain aging water facilities owned by the federal government. Under this bill, extraordinary repairs can be paid for over 50 years instead of the current one year and emergency maintenance repairs are eligible for funding from Reclamation. Reclamation is authorized to develop inspection guidelines for aging water facilities to help ensure they do not fall into disrepair.
• The Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of Duck Valley Reservation Water Settlements Act ratifies a water rights settlement agreement between the tribal governments, the State of Nevada and individual rights holders along the East fork of the Owyhee River and settle the Tribes' claims against the United States for failing to protect its water rights and natural resources.