Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 6–Committee on Natural Resources

 

(On Behalf of Legislative Committee

on Public Lands)

 

February 15, 2001

____________

 

Referred to Committee on Legislative Affairs and Operations

 

SUMMARY—Directs Legislative Commission to conduct interim study concerning wilderness areas and wilderness study areas in this state. (BDR R‑727)

 

~

 

EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

 

SENATE Concurrent RESOLUTION—Directing the Legislative Commission to conduct an interim study concerning wilderness areas and wilderness study areas in this state.

 

1-1    Whereas, The provisions of 16 U.S.C. §§ 1131 et seq., commonly

1-2  referred to as the Wilderness Act, establish the National Wilderness

1-3  Preservation System, which consists of areas of federal public land that are

1-4  designated by Congress as wilderness areas; and

1-5    Whereas, In accordance with those provisions, Congress has

1-6  designated numerous areas in this state as wilderness areas, including the

1-7  Alta Toquima Wilderness, Arc Dome Wilderness, Currant Mountain

1-8  Wilderness, East Humboldt Wilderness, Grant Range Wilderness, Jarbidge

1-9  Wilderness, Mt. Charleston Wilderness, Mt. Moriah Wilderness, Mt. Rose

1-10  Wilderness, Quinn Canyon Wilderness, Ruby Mountains Wilderness and

1-11  Table Mountain Wilderness; and

1-12    Whereas, If an area of federal public land is designated as a wilderness

1-13  area, it must be managed in a manner that preserves the wilderness

1-14  character of the area and ensures that the area remains unimpaired for

1-15  future use and enjoyment as a wilderness area; and

1-16    Whereas, In conjunction with the provisions of the Wilderness Act, the

1-17  Secretary of the Interior may identify certain portions of federal public

1-18  lands as wilderness study areas to determine the suitability of those areas

1-19  for designation by Congress as wilderness areas; and

1-20    Whereas, Until a wilderness study area is designated by Congress as a

1-21  wilderness area, the wilderness study area must be managed in a manner

1-22  that does not impair its suitability for preservation as a wilderness area; and

1-23    Whereas, Because the designation or identification of an area of

1-24  federal public lands as a wilderness area or wilderness study area imposes

2-1  significant restrictions concerning the management and use of land located

2-2  in those areas, including land used for mining, ranching and recreation, and

2-3  because certain areas in this state have been designated or identified as

2-4  wilderness areas or wilderness study areas, an examination must be made

2-5  concerning the selection, management and use of those areas and the laws,

2-6  regulations and policies of the Federal Government concerning that

2-7  selection, management and use; now, therefore, be it

2-8    Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly

2-9  Concurring, That the Legislative Commission is hereby directed to

2-10  appoint a subcommittee, consisting of three members of the Senate and

2-11  three members of the Assembly who are representative of various

2-12  geographical areas of this state, to conduct an interim study of wilderness

2-13  areas and wilderness study areas in this state; and be it further

2-14    Resolved, That the study must include, without limitation:

2-15    1.  An examination of the manner in which wilderness areas and

2-16  wilderness study areas are selected, managed and used and the laws,

2-17  regulations and policies of the Federal Government relating to that

2-18  selection, management and use;

2-19    2.  Consideration of whether any area of this state is suitable for

2-20  possible designation by Congress as a wilderness area; and

2-21    3.  A review of any other issues or subjects concerning the

2-22  establishment, management and use of a wilderness area or wilderness

2-23  study area in this state; and be it further

2-24    Resolved, That any recommended legislation proposed by the

2-25  subcommittee must be approved by a majority of the members of the

2-26  Senate and a majority of the members of the Assembly appointed to the

2-27  subcommittee; and be it further

2-28    Resolved, That the Legislative Commission shall submit a report of

2-29  the results of the study and any recommendations for legislation to the

2-30  72nd session of the Nevada Legislature.

 

2-31  H