November 19, 2024 – Today, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted to advance Senator Jacky Rosen’s (D-NV) Truckee Meadows Public Lands Management Act out of committee. The bill, commonly referred to as the Washoe County Lands Bill, will expand local economic and housing development opportunities, support Tribal communities, and protect public lands and outdoor recreation.

“As Washoe County continues to grow, I’ve been working with local leaders and stakeholders on a bill to make more federal land available for responsible development to help meet our housing and economic needs, while at the same time protecting our public lands,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m thrilled that my Washoe County Lands Bill has advanced out of committee and is one step closer to increasing affordable housing opportunities, promoting economic development, boosting conservation, and supporting Tribal communities. I’ll keep pushing to pass it into law.”

“Friends of Nevada Wilderness is grateful for Senator Rosen’s continued efforts to move the Truckee Meadows Public Lands Management Act forward,” said Shaaron Netherton, Executive Director of Friends of Nevada Wilderness. “This bill resolved the issues with BLM’s remaining wilderness study areas in Washoe County, changing some to National Conservation Areas with less stringent management based on years working with stakeholders to find common sense boundaries.”

For years, Senator Rosen has been working with a wide range of stakeholders across Washoe County to develop this comprehensive legislation. Last year, Senator Rosen unveiled a working draft of the bill and collected feedback from hundreds of Nevadans during a public comment period, which she then incorporated into this legislation that she introduced earlier this year. She also called on committee leadership to hold a legislative hearing on the bill. The bill has received the support of  various local government officials, conservation advocates, and business leaders.

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Much of the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge would be designated as Wilderness under the Washoe County lands bill

photo by Kurt Kuznicki