Senate Concurrent Resolution
No. 7–Committee on
Natural Resources
SENATE Concurrent RESOLUTION—Directing the Legislative Committee on Public Lands to continue the study of wilderness areas and wilderness study areas in this state.
Whereas, The provisions of 16 U.S.C. §§ 1131 et seq.,
commonly referred to as the Wilderness Act, establish the National
Wilderness Preservation System, which consists of areas of federal
public land that are designated by Congress as wilderness areas; and
Whereas, Congress has designated approximately 2 million
acres of certain federal public lands in Nevada as wilderness areas;
and
Whereas, If an area of federal public land is designated as a
wilderness area, it must be managed in a manner that preserves the
wilderness character of the area and ensures that the area remains
unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as a wilderness area; and
Whereas, A reasonable amount of wilderness area in this state
provides for a diverse spectrum of recreational opportunities in
Nevada, promotes tourism and provides a place for Nevadans to
escape the pressures of urban growth; and
Whereas, In conjunction with the provisions of the Wilderness
Act, the Bureau of Land Management of the Department of the
Interior manages approximately 3.86 million acres of federal public
lands in Nevada identified as wilderness study areas; and
Whereas, Until a wilderness study area is designated by
Congress as a wilderness area or released, the wilderness study area
must be managed in a manner that does not impair its suitability for
preservation as a wilderness area; and
Whereas, Because approximately 2 million acres of federal
public land in Nevada have been designated as wilderness areas and
approximately 8.6 percent of the federal public land in Nevada that
is managed by the Bureau of Land Management has been identified
as wilderness study areas and because such designation or
identification is believed to impose significant restrictions
concerning the management and use of such land, including land
used for mining, ranching and recreation, the Legislative
Commission appointed a subcommittee in 2001 to conduct an
interim study of wilderness areas and wilderness study areas in this
state; and
Whereas, During the 2001-2002 legislative interim, the
subcommittee met several times throughout this state and facilitated
important and wide-ranging discussions among many agencies,
organizations and persons with diverse interests, perspectives and
expertise concerning wilderness areas and wilderness study areas;
and
Whereas, Although the subcommittee obtained valuable
information concerning the selection, management and use of
wilderness areas and wilderness study areas in this state, and
although Congress recently enacted the Clark County Conservation
of Public Land and Natural Resources Act of 2002, Public Law 107-
282 (2002), which released approximately 224,000 acres in Clark
County from its current status as a wilderness study area, additional
study of these issues is still needed as a significant majority of the
federal public land in Nevada that had been previously designated as
a wilderness area or identified as a wilderness study area remains
designated or identified as such; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the
Assembly Concurring, That the Legislative Committee on
Public Lands is hereby directed to continue the study of wilderness
areas and wilderness study areas in this state, and that the
Legislative Commission is hereby directed to appoint two additional
members of the Senate and two additional members of the
Assembly who are representative of various geographical areas of
this state to the Legislative Committee on Public Lands for the
purposes of this study; and be it further
Resolved, That the study must include, without limitation:
1. An examination of the manner in which wilderness areas
and wilderness study areas are selected, managed and used, and the
laws, regulations and policies of the Federal Government relating to
that selection, management and use;
2. Consideration of whether areas of this state are suitable for
possible designation by Congress as wilderness areas; and
3. A review of any other issues or subjects concerning the
establishment, management or use of a wilderness area or
wilderness study area in this state, as deemed necessary by the
subcommittee; and be it further
Resolved, That in conducting the study, the Legislative
Committee on Public Lands shall seek input from various
governmental agencies, organizations and persons concerning
wilderness areas and wilderness study areas in this state; and be it
further
Resolved, That any recommendations that result from the
study relating to the manner in which Congress designates
wilderness areas or identifies wilderness study areas must be
submitted to each member of the Nevada Congressional Delegation;
and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislative Committee on Public Lands
shall submit a report of the results of the study and any
recommendations for legislation to the 73rd Session of the Nevada
Legislature.
20~~~~~03