I think the The Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA), enacted in 1998, is a good example of a federal law that authorizes the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to sell or exchange specific parcels of public land within a designated boundary around the Las Vegas Valley. The proceeds from these land sales are allocated to fund various projects aimed at conservation, recreation, and public infrastructure in Nevada. As much as I dislike suburban sprawl, these land exchanges/sales have mostly taken place right on the edge of Las Vegas proper and it seems like a worthwhile trade off.
I'm headed to Nevada and Utah next week to photograph some of these landscapes that are being proposed for disposal. The biggest chunk of land is in Pershing County (335,000 acres) and it's a checkerboard hellscape. None the less, there is some beautiful scenery, critical habitat, and a rich Indigenous history to preserve. Maybe if people can SEE the landscapes at stake, they'll be more willing to make a raucous.
Excellent back story.
I think the The Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA), enacted in 1998, is a good example of a federal law that authorizes the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to sell or exchange specific parcels of public land within a designated boundary around the Las Vegas Valley. The proceeds from these land sales are allocated to fund various projects aimed at conservation, recreation, and public infrastructure in Nevada. As much as I dislike suburban sprawl, these land exchanges/sales have mostly taken place right on the edge of Las Vegas proper and it seems like a worthwhile trade off.
Also, for more reporting on BLM land sales, see David Willms quotes in this really good piece of reporting: https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/federal-land-sale-movement/
I'm headed to Nevada and Utah next week to photograph some of these landscapes that are being proposed for disposal. The biggest chunk of land is in Pershing County (335,000 acres) and it's a checkerboard hellscape. None the less, there is some beautiful scenery, critical habitat, and a rich Indigenous history to preserve. Maybe if people can SEE the landscapes at stake, they'll be more willing to make a raucous.
Thanks for the reminder on SNPLMA. It has funded a lot of restoration at Lake Tahoe.