LAS VEGAS — More than $79 million set aside under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act will fund 30 conservation and recreation initiatives.
The initiatives include improvements for visitors to Hoover Dam and the acquisition of a large conservation easement outside of Carson City to protect natural and cultural resources, reported the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The land management act has distributed $3.5 billion for Nevada projects since 1998.
Projects in this latest round of funding include $12.4 million for the easement to protect Jacks Valley Ranch.
The only project outside the state will use $6 million to extend the Colorado River Heritage Trail into Arizona. The project will be located at the southern portion of Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Bureau of Land Management Director Neil Kornze made the project funding announcement on Wednesday at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
“I am excited to be back in my home state to announce these important community projects,” said Kornze, who grew up in Elko. “These investments will strengthen outdoor opportunities in the Las Vegas Valley and in many of Nevada’s small towns.”
He said the program has funded $150 million in improvements at the site.
“That’s something that never would have happened otherwise,” he said.