Cortez Masto’s draft legislation, which is based on the county’s proposed bill, is similar to what the county asked for, but offers more concessions to the conservation community. It would expand Clark County’s development boundaries by up to 42,427 acres; the county requested 56,102 new acres on which to build. Development proposals within the expanded boundary would still be subject to local review.
“This draft legislation reflects extensive efforts to bring together Southern Nevada stakeholders to develop a proposal that prioritizes Clark County’s long-term conservation and economic development goals,” Cortez Masto said in a statement. “As the Las Vegas Valley grows, we must start laying the ground rules for sustainable expansion and economic development, while also addressing the looming threat of climate change and protecting our natural resources and desert wildlife.”
The draft legislation would create 308,110 acres of new wilderness areas — over three and a half times more than the 82,707 acres requested by the county — and would expand Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area by 68,078 acres. It also replaces the county’s request for 298,052 acres of areas of critical environmental concern (ACECs) with 353,716 acres of “special management areas.”