This legislation, known as the Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act, seeks to balance conservation efforts with economic development and public land improvements within Douglas County, Nevada. Its primary objectives include facilitating land conveyances, establishing a new wilderness area, and transferring land into trust for the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. The bill authorizes the conveyance of approximately 67 acres of Forest Service land to the State of Nevada for conservation or public park use, with the State covering associated costs. It also directs the conveyance of about 7,777 acres of federal land to Douglas County for purposes such as flood control, recreation, and environmental quality, under the condition that the land is not disposed of and reverts if misused. The County is responsible for all conveyance costs. Furthermore, the Act mandates the sale of approximately 31.5 acres of public land, along with other jointly selected federal parcels, to qualified bidders at fair market value. Proceeds from these sales are allocated, with 5% going to State education, 10% to the County's general budget, and 85% deposited into a special account. This special account will fund reimbursement of sale costs, expenses for tribal land transfers, and the acquisition of environmentally sensitive land or land for flood control in the County. A significant conservation measure is the designation of approximately 12,392 acres of Bureau of Land Management land as the Burbank Canyons Wilderness , adding it to the National Wilderness Preservation System. This area will be managed under the Wilderness Act, with specific provisions for livestock grazing, military overflights, and wildfire management, while explicitly stating that no federal reserved water rights are implied. In support of tribal cultural resources, the bill transfers about 2,470 acres of federal land to the Secretary of the Interior to be held in trust for the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California , integrating it into their reservation. An additional 199 acres of non-federal land will also be accepted into trust for the Tribe. Importantly, these trust lands are not eligible for gaming, but can be used for landscape restoration activities. Finally, the legislation includes provisions for specific Forest Service lands, requiring a determination on the suitability of certain Santini-Burton Act lands for conveyance. It also directs the Secretary of Agriculture to process special use permit applications for recreation or other purposes for approximately 188 acres of federal land in the County, ensuring sensible management and public access.
Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act
USA119th CongressS-4200| Senate
| Updated: 3/25/2026
This legislation, known as the Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act, seeks to balance conservation efforts with economic development and public land improvements within Douglas County, Nevada. Its primary objectives include facilitating land conveyances, establishing a new wilderness area, and transferring land into trust for the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. The bill authorizes the conveyance of approximately 67 acres of Forest Service land to the State of Nevada for conservation or public park use, with the State covering associated costs. It also directs the conveyance of about 7,777 acres of federal land to Douglas County for purposes such as flood control, recreation, and environmental quality, under the condition that the land is not disposed of and reverts if misused. The County is responsible for all conveyance costs. Furthermore, the Act mandates the sale of approximately 31.5 acres of public land, along with other jointly selected federal parcels, to qualified bidders at fair market value. Proceeds from these sales are allocated, with 5% going to State education, 10% to the County's general budget, and 85% deposited into a special account. This special account will fund reimbursement of sale costs, expenses for tribal land transfers, and the acquisition of environmentally sensitive land or land for flood control in the County. A significant conservation measure is the designation of approximately 12,392 acres of Bureau of Land Management land as the Burbank Canyons Wilderness , adding it to the National Wilderness Preservation System. This area will be managed under the Wilderness Act, with specific provisions for livestock grazing, military overflights, and wildfire management, while explicitly stating that no federal reserved water rights are implied. In support of tribal cultural resources, the bill transfers about 2,470 acres of federal land to the Secretary of the Interior to be held in trust for the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California , integrating it into their reservation. An additional 199 acres of non-federal land will also be accepted into trust for the Tribe. Importantly, these trust lands are not eligible for gaming, but can be used for landscape restoration activities. Finally, the legislation includes provisions for specific Forest Service lands, requiring a determination on the suitability of certain Santini-Burton Act lands for conveyance. It also directs the Secretary of Agriculture to process special use permit applications for recreation or other purposes for approximately 188 acres of federal land in the County, ensuring sensible management and public access.