Ensign, Reid want land money back

Nevada Sens. John Ensign and Harry Reid have introduced legislation to reinstate $50 million in conservation funds under the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act.

The money was built up from the sale of federal land for private development, with the proceeds going to purchase environmentally sensitive lands at Lake Tahoe and Red Rock Canyon in Southern Nevada. Reid, a Democrat, described it as "land for land."

But unless the act is reinstated, the money will go, instead, to the federal treasury.

"This important legislation will ensure that our state receives conservation funds to purchase land for preservation," said Ensign, a Republican. "Not passing this bill would result in the loss of millions of dollars to our state and tremendously hinder Nevada's ability to acquire lands that capture its beauty and historic integrity."

"The Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act is a critical program for conservation efforts in Nevada," Reid said. "By trading land for land, FLTFA disposes of federal lands that are best used for development and allows federal agencies to acquire important lands for conservation in Nevada and across the West.

The law expired July 25.