EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

1-1 Section 1. Chapter 321 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto

1-2 the provisions set forth as sections 2 to 7, inclusive, of this act.

1-3 Sec. 2. The legislature hereby finds and declares that:

1-4 1. The Lake Tahoe Basin exhibits unique environmental and

1-5 ecological conditions that are irreplaceable.

1-6 2. Certain of the unique environmental and ecological conditions

1-7 exhibited within the Lake Tahoe Basin, such as the clarity of the water in

1-8 Lake Tahoe, are diminishing at an alarming rate.

1-9 3. This state has a compelling interest in preserving, protecting,

1-10 restoring and enhancing the natural environment of the Lake Tahoe

1-11 Basin.

1-12 4. The preservation, protection, restoration and enhancement of the

1-13 natural environment of the Lake Tahoe Basin is a matter of such

1-14 significance that it must be carried out on a continual basis.

2-1 5. It is in the best interest of this state to grant to the division

2-2 continuing authority to carry out programs to preserve, protect, restore

2-3 and enhance the natural environment of the Lake Tahoe Basin.

2-4 Sec. 3. As used in sections 2 to 7, inclusive, of this act, unless the

2-5 context otherwise requires, "land coverage" means a covering over or

2-6 compaction of the natural surface of the ground that prevents water from

2-7 percolating into the ground.

2-8 Sec. 4. The division may establish and carry out programs to

2-9 preserve, protect, restore and enhance the natural environment of the

2-10 Lake Tahoe Basin, including, without limitation, programs to:

2-11 1. Prevent and mitigate the environmentally detrimental effects of

2-12 development, land coverage and pollution;

2-13 2. Prevent and control erosion;

2-14 3. Preserve, protect, restore and enhance natural watercourses,

2-15 wetlands and wildlife habitat; and

2-16 4. Acquire and manage real property and interests in real property

2-17 for purposes of conservation.

2-18 Sec. 5. 1. In carrying out a program authorized pursuant to

2-19 section 4 of this act, the division may, as the state land registrar deems

2-20 appropriate regarding particular parcels of land:

2-21 (a) Acquire real property or an interest in real property in the Lake

2-22 Tahoe Basin by donation, purchase or exchange;

2-23 (b) Transfer real property or an interest in real property in the Lake

2-24 Tahoe Basin by sale, lease or exchange;

2-25 (c) Eliminate, or mitigate the effects of, development, land coverage or

2-26 features or conditions of real property acquired pursuant to paragraph

2-27 (a) that are detrimental to the natural environment of the Lake Tahoe

2-28 Basin; and

2-29 (d) Retire, extinguish or otherwise terminate rights to develop or place

2-30 land coverage on real property acquired pursuant to paragraph (a).

2-31 2. The state land registrar may transfer real property or an interest in

2-32 real property acquired pursuant to this section:

2-33 (a) To state and federal agencies, local governments and nonprofit

2-34 organizations for such consideration as the state land registrar deems to

2-35 be reasonable and in the interest of the general public.

2-36 (b) To other persons for a price that is not less than the fair market

2-37 value of the real property or interest.

2-38 3. Before real property or an interest in real property is transferred

2-39 pursuant to this section, the state land registrar shall record a declaration

2-40 of restrictions or deed restrictions if the state land registrar determines

2-41 that such restrictions are necessary to protect the public interest.

3-1 4. The state land registrar shall report quarterly to the state board of

3-2 examiners regarding the real property or interests in real property

3-3 transferred pursuant to this section.

3-4 5. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person shall not

3-5 acquire, disturb or use real property or an interest in real property

3-6 acquired pursuant to this section unless the person first obtains written

3-7 authorization from the state land registrar.

3-8 6. As used in this section, "interest in real property" includes,

3-9 without limitation:

3-10 (a) An easement for conservation as that term is defined in NRS

3-11 111.410;

3-12 (b) The right to develop the real property;

3-13 (c) The right to place land coverage on the real property; and

3-14 (d) Such other easements or rights as are appurtenant to the real

3-15 property.

3-16 Sec. 6. In carrying out the provisions of sections 2 to 7, inclusive, of

3-17 this act:

3-18 1. The division may, as the state land registrar deems appropriate,

3-19 cooperate and enter into agreements with state and federal agencies,

3-20 local governments, nonprofit organizations and other persons or entities

3-21 involved in the preservation and restoration of the natural environment

3-22 of the Lake Tahoe Basin.

3-23 2. The state land registrar may, within the limits of available money,

3-24 make grants to other state agencies, local governments and nonprofit

3-25 organizations.

3-26 Sec. 7. The state land registrar may adopt regulations as the state

3-27 land registrar deems necessary to carry out the provisions of sections 2 to

3-28 7, inclusive, of this act.

3-29 Sec. 8. The provisions of this act apply to any program established

3-30 and carried out pursuant to the following previously enacted special acts:

3-31 1. Chapter 585, Statutes of Nevada 1985, as last amended by chapter

3-32 111, Statutes of Nevada 1989, at page 263;

3-33 2. Chapter 355, Statutes of Nevada 1993, at page 1152; and

3-34 3. Chapter 361, Statutes of Nevada 1995, at page 907,

3-35 and to any program established and carried out pursuant to sections 2 to 7,

3-36 inclusive, of this act after October 1, 1999.