Ivanpah Valley Airport Public Lands Transfer Act
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 106-362.
Official Summary
Ivanpah Valley Airport Public Lands Transfer Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to convey to Clark County, Nevada, certain Federal public lands in Ivanpah Valley, Nevada, for the development of an airport facility and related infrastructure. Prohibits such conveyance from being made until: (1) the County has conducted an airspace assessment, using the airspace management plan required by this Act, to identify any potential adverse effects on access to the Las Vegas basin under visual flight rules that would result from the construction and operation of a commercial or primary airport, or both, on the land to be conveyed; (2) the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certifies to the Secretary that such assessment is thorough and that alternatives have been developed to address each adverse effect identified in such assessment; and (3) the County has entered into an agreement with the Secretary to retain ownership of Jean Airport, located at Jean, Nevada, and to maintain and operate such Airport for general aviation purposes.Requires the Secretary to deposit payments received from the County as consideration for the conveyance of each parcel into the special account established under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act. Allows such funds to be expended only for the acquisition of private inholdings in the Mojave National Preserve and for the protection and management of the petroglyph resources in the County. Prohibits interest earned on amounts deposited from being invested and expended as required under such Act.Prohibits the Secretary from expending funds pursuant to this Act until: (1) the provisions of this Act regarding all actions required under the National Environmental Policy Act with respect to initial planning and construction have been completed; and (2) a final Record of Decision pursuant to such Act has been issued which permits development of an airport at the Ivanpah site.Requires such payments to be refunded to the County and such lands to revert to the United States if the FAA and the County determine that an airport should not be constructed on the conveyed lands.Withdraws the conveyed lands from mineral entry under the Mining Law of 1872 and the Mineral Leasing Act.Directs the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Secretary, prior to such conveyance, to develop an airspace management plan for the Ivanpah Valley Airport that shall, without adversely impacting safety considerations, restrict aircraft arrivals and departures over the Mojave Desert Preserve in California.Requires: (1) prior to construction of an airport facility on the conveyed lands, all actions required under the National Environmental Policy Act with respect to initial planning and construction to be completed by the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary as joint lead agencies; and (2) any such actions to specifically address any impacts on the purposes for which the Mojave National Preserve was created.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™The Ivanpah Valley Airport Public Lands Transfer Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer certain federal lands in Ivanpah Valley, Nevada, to Clark County for the development of an airport and related infrastructure. The transfer is contingent upon the County conducting an airspace assessment to evaluate potential impacts on access to the Las Vegas basin, FAA certification of the assessment and alternatives, and an agreement to maintain the existing Jean Airport for general aviation. Payments made by the County for the land must be deposited into a special account under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act, with funds restricted to acquiring private lands in the Mojave National Preserve and protecting petroglyph resources. The Act also requires completion of all National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) actions and issuance of a final Record of Decision before funds can be expended or construction can begin. The conveyed lands are withdrawn from mineral entry laws, and an airspace management plan must be developed to minimize impacts on the Mojave Desert Preserve. If the airport is not constructed, payments are refunded and lands revert to federal ownership.
This law facilitates the transfer of federal land to Clark County for airport development in Ivanpah Valley, Nevada, with environmental safeguards, airspace management requirements, and protections for existing aviation facilities and natural resources.
- Requires an airspace assessment and FAA certification before land conveyance for airport development.
- Mandates maintaining Jean Airport for general aviation as a condition of the land transfer.
- Directs payments for land to be used exclusively for Mojave National Preserve land acquisition and petroglyph protection.
- Prohibits expenditure of funds or construction until all NEPA requirements are completed and a final Record of Decision is issued.
- Withdraws conveyed lands from mineral entry under the Mining Law of 1872 and the Mineral Leasing Act.
['Clark County, Nevada, through acquisition of land for airport development', 'Federal agencies including the Department of the Interior and FAA through defined roles and oversight', 'General aviation users benefiting from continued operation of Jean Airport', 'Conservation interests focused on the Mojave National Preserve and petroglyph resource protection']
['Implementation depends on thorough airspace assessments and FAA certification, which may delay land conveyance and development.', 'Funds from land payments are restricted, limiting flexibility in their use to specific conservation purposes.', 'The requirement to maintain Jean Airport may impose ongoing operational responsibilities and costs on Clark County.', 'NEPA compliance and issuance of a Record of Decision are prerequisites, potentially extending project timelines.', 'Withdrawal of lands from mineral entry restricts future mining or leasing activities on the conveyed lands.']
The bill was introduced and passed during the 106th Congress and was signed into law on October 27, 2000. It addresses land management and infrastructure development in Nevada, balancing local development interests with federal environmental and aviation oversight. The legislation reflects coordination between federal and local authorities and incorporates environmental protections consistent with federal land and aviation policies.
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['The withdrawal of conveyed lands from mineral entry may reduce future mining activities in the area, potentially affecting local mining interests.', 'Development of the Ivanpah Valley Airport could alter regional air traffic patterns, impacting airspace management beyond the immediate area.', 'The requirement to protect petroglyph resources may increase federal and local conservation efforts in Clark County.', 'Maintaining Jean Airport for general aviation may preserve aviation services that support local businesses and emergency services.']
The Act includes multiple oversight mechanisms such as FAA certification of airspace assessments, NEPA compliance, and restricted use of funds to ensure environmental and operational considerations are addressed. Transparency is supported by requiring a final Record of Decision before construction. However, the absence of full bill text limits detailed analysis of enforcement provisions and specific administrative procedures.
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