House committee passes Lincoln County federal land auction bill

WASHINGTON - Legislation to auction off 100,000 federal acres in Lincoln County passed a key House committee Wednesday.

Supporters said they were optimistic the bill would pass the full House and Senate and go to the president for his signature before the end of the year.

The House Resources Committee unanimously passed the Lincoln County Conservation, Recreation and Development Act, which would authorize the sale of 100,346 acres in the large but sparsely populated county just north of Las Vegas and Clark County.

Of the proceeds, 5 percent would go to the state education fund, 45 percent to Lincoln County for economic development, and 50 percent to the Interior Department for management and protection of archaeological resources and conservation.

The bill would establish utility corridors for the Southern Nevada Water Authority that would allow the utility to tap into groundwater in eastern Nevada for thirsty Southern Nevada.