Congresswoman Lee, Senator Cortez Masto Announce Introduction of Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) announced she is introducing the bipartisan Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act in the U.S. House of Representatives to protect Clark County’s essential natural resources while growing the economy and supporting new home construction. Rep. Mark Amodei (NV-02) is cosponsoring the legislation. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) has already reintroduced companion legislation in the Senate. Last year, Cortez Masto’s bill passed through the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support.

This legislation will allow Clark County to develop up to 25,000 acres over the next 50 years, using the process established by the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA) — while setting aside more than 2 million acres of federally owned land for outdoor recreation, wildlife conservation, and cultural and landscape preservation. It was crafted with input from state and local government officials, Tribal leaders, the business community, and outdoor advocates.

A fact sheet on the Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act is available HERE.

“We know that to address Vegas’ housing crisis, we need to be able to build more homes, while also protecting our iconic public lands and water supply, advancing outdoor recreation, and supporting our Tribal communities,” said Congresswoman Lee (NV-03). “This Clark County lands bill — led by Senator Cortez Masto in the Senate and me in the House — does exactly that and more to responsibly grow the county's economy and safeguard our natural treasures.”

“For years, I have worked with community leaders across Clark County to create this legislation,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “As more and more people call Las Vegas home, we need to find a solution that promotes responsible economic development, builds more homes families can afford, and protects our environment and outdoor recreation. This much-needed bill is that commonsense solution and I’m going to continue working to get it done.”

“Southern Nevada’s continued economic diversification depends on the release of additional public lands. This bill is an important step forward in ensuring the sustainable growth of our region while preserving the natural resources that make Clark County a unique and vibrant place to live and work. LVGEA remains committed to advancing the Clark County lands bill and appreciates the continued leadership of Senator Cortez Masto and Congresswoman Susie Lee in reintroducing this critical legislation,” said Betsy Fretwell, Interim CEO of Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance.

“The Nevada Housing Coalition supports Senator Cortez Masto’s efforts to balance conservation and economic development in Southern Nevada through the Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act. This legislation represents an important step toward unlocking additional land for much-needed housing development while ensuring that sustainability and environmental stewardship remain priorities. Expanding access to land for residential development, particularly with provisions that prioritize affordable housing, is critical to addressing Nevada’s housing crisis. We look forward to collaborating with policymakers and stakeholders to ensure that this bill translates into real housing opportunities for Nevadans,” said Maurice Page, Executive Director of the Nevada Housing Coalition.

“The Southern Nevada Home Builders Association commends Sen. Cortez Masto for her ongoing advocacy in promoting the release of additional federal lands for development. This legislation is a vital step toward addressing housing attainability challenges, which are closely tied to limited land availability — a key factor driving up land costs and, in turn, housing prices. While we hope to see Congress ultimately allocate more land for housing development, we strongly support Sen. Cortez Masto’s legislation as a critical move to secure more land for the State of Nevada,” said Tina M. Frias, CEO of the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association CEO. 

“Nevadans LOVE their public lands. They’re not just places on a map, they’re the soul of our state and nation, the playgrounds of our families, and the economic backbone of our communities. We thank Senator Cortez Masto and Congresswoman Susie Lee for continuing to stand up and protect what Nevadans hold dear. This bill strikes the right balance and permanently protects key areas within the Desert National Wildlife Refuge and expands protections for Red Rock Canyon and Sloan Canyon National Conservation Areas. Senator Cortez Masto and Congresswoman Lee continue to fight for the American people, for our health, and for the very essence of what makes this country great and we will be behind them all the way to get this bill passed,” said Jocelyn Torres, Chief Conservation Officer at the Conservation Lands Foundation.

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