What’s Happening
Rep. Mark Amodei (R) just brought back a bill that could free up thousands of acres of federal land in Northern Nevada. The Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act would let counties and cities take control of land that’s now run by Washington agencies. The plan covers land in Carson City, Douglas County, Elko County, and several other Northern Nevada areas.
Rep. Amodei reintroduced this lands bill on Tuesday. It targets federal lands in Carson City, Douglas County and other areas of Northern Nevada.
Why This Matters to Conservatives
This is exactly what limited government looks like in real life. Right now, the federal government controls most of Nevada’s land. That means folks in Washington who’ve never set foot in Carson City get to decide what happens there.
Rep. Amodei himself pointed out that this bill is about “unlocking the potential of Nevada” for things like creating more homes to tackle rising costs, driving economic growth, and expanding recreational areas. He thanked local stakeholders, community members, and tribal leaders “who know these lands best” for working with him to ensure their voices are heard.
Local control means local solutions. People who actually live in these communities can make better choices about how to use the land than bureaucrats thousands of miles away.
What the Bill Does
This bill doesn’t just hand out land. It has specific purposes:
In Carson City, it gives about 211 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land to the city for public purposes, flood management, and economic development. It removes restrictions on three parcels already owned by Carson City so they can be used for economic development. It also allows for disposal of about 17.45 acres of Carson City land for future homes.
In Douglas County, about 67 acres would go to the State of Nevada for state parks. The county would get about 7,777 acres for flood management and public purposes. Up to 60 acres could be sold within one year, and no more than 10,000 acres identified in the existing Carson City Resource Management Plan can be sold.
In Elko County, about 644 acres would go to the City of Elko for housing development. This land surrounds an existing housing subdivision and will help with the housing shortage. About 3,500 acres would go to Elko County for housing development, expansion around the town of Jackpot, and expansion of a shooting range.
Conservation Is Part of the Plan
The bill isn’t just about development. It also sets aside land for conservation.
It designates about 148,000 acres of wilderness in Pershing and Douglas Counties. Amodei also introduced the Ruby Mountains Protection Act, which would block oil and gas leasing in over 300,000 acres of the Ruby Mountains in eastern Nevada.
This shows that local control can balance growth with protecting beautiful places.
What Critics Might Say
Some folks worry that moving land from federal control could mean less environmental protection. They might argue that federal agencies have more resources and expertise to manage public lands.
Others might say that this is just giving away public assets that belong to all Americans, not just Nevadans.
Why This Bill Matters Now
Housing costs are through the roof in many parts of Nevada. By opening up land for development, more homes can be built. More homes means lower prices.
The bill specifically mentions that some of the land transfers will “help alleviate the housing shortage in Elko.”
Communities also need land for public purposes like parks, flood control, and economic growth. Local governments are stuck if they can’t expand because federal land surrounds them.
Next Steps and What You Can Do
This isn’t Amodei’s first try with this bill. The previous version was introduced in the 117th and 118th Congresses. It received a markup in November 2024 and was favorably reported out of the House Natural Resources Committee.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
