Nevada panel to take up parks bond issue

Conservationists are concerned that Nevada's Interim Finance Committee, meeting Thursday, might miss a final chance this year to issue $6 million in bonds for various environmental projects.

The bond distribution to the state Lands Division is part of up to $200 million overwhelmingly approved by voters to fund various natural resource preservation projects. The funds were authorized by Question 1 on last November's ballot.

"We hope the Interim Finance Committee recognizes the voice of the Nevada voter by approving the initial distribution of Question 1 bonds," said Kaitlin Backlund of the Nevada Conservation League.

The Lands Division must get IFC approval for its $6 million -- and Sen. Bill Raggio, R-Reno, the IFC vice-chairman, has delayed a decision at two previous commission meetings.

Raggio said the bonds would increase property taxes almost a penny statewide. But a memo from the state treasurer says the property tax levied for repayment of the bonds is outside the state's cap on such taxes.

The bond money includes $27 million for property acquisition, improvements and renovations by state parks, $27.5 million for a similar variety of projects under control of the Wildlife Division, $25 million for Las Vegas Springs and wildlife habitat in the Las Vegas Wash as well as $35 million for a museum at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve.

There would also be $10 million for restoration and enhancement of the Truckee River corridor.

The rest would be used for grants to state agencies, local governments and private nonprofit groups for recreational trails, urban parks, habitat conservation and other similar projects.