Walker River Recreation Area bill signed by Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval

Gov. Brian Sandoval has signed into law measures establishing the Walker River State Recreation Area and funding initial construction to make the park available to the public.

SB536 formalized acceptance of the donation of more than 12,000 acres consisting of three historic ranch properties along the East Walker River — the Pitchfork, Rafter 7 and Flying M ranches including the Nine Mile section, opening that area to the public for the first time in decades.

The legislation also provides a total of $4.8 million to begin development of the recreation area including 20 campsites.

The land is located in Lyon County.

The Walker River project is just one of a long list of projects at state parks Sandoval backed in his proposed budget. That list also includes $1.6 million for the new Tule Springs State Park in southern Nevada and $430,000 for the Van Sickle Bi-State Park and $700,000 for a variety of park maintenance projects statewide.