HR 972119th CongressIntroduced

Sloan Canyon Conservation and Lateral Pipeline Act

Introduced: Feb 4, 2025

Environment & ClimateInfrastructure

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill, titled the Sloan Canyon Conservation and Lateral Pipeline Act, would (1) expand and redefine the boundary of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area (SCNCA) in Nevada, (2) replace the map used to guide that boundary change, and (3) establish a new framework to allow the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) to obtain water-pipeline-related rights-of-way and related facilities outside the SCNCA. The expansion increases the conservation area from 48,438 acres to 57,728 acres. It also creates a one-year deadline after enactment for the Secretary of the Interior to grant SNWA a right-of-way for a Horizon Lateral Pipeline, including temporary and permanent water-pipeline infrastructure, powerlines, facilities, and access roads outside the conservation area, with certain protections for resources and wilderness areas. The bill preserves existing utility corridors and permits, within limits, new utility facilities within designated corridors, subject to NEPA and other applicable laws. Management of the conservation area otherwise remains as currently provided, except as modified by the boundary change and pipeline provisions. In short, the bill expands Sloan Canyon’s boundaries and creates a special, expedited framework for SNWA to pursue a water-pipeline project that traverses outside the expanded protected area, while aiming to protect resources and limit impacts on wilderness and existing rights.

Key Points

1Boundary expansion and map update
2- Replaces the old boundary reference with a new map titled “Proposed Sloan Canyon Expansion” dated May 20, 2024.
3- Increases the Conservation Area size from 48,438 acres to 57,728 acres.
4Lateral Pipeline Right-of-Way to SNWA
5- Within one year after enactment, the Secretary must grant SNWA a temporary and permanent right-of-way for a Horizon Lateral Pipeline and related facilities outside the Conservation Area.
6- Rights-of-way would be granted not subject to rents or other charges, and would cover water-pipeline infrastructure, powerlines, facilities, and access roads as depicted on the map.
7Use of land for geotechnical work and materials
8- SNWA may conduct geotechnical investigations within the granted rights-of-way.
9- SNWA may excavate and dispose of sand, gravel, minerals, or other materials from tunneling of the water pipeline, without monetary consideration, with an accompanying memorandum of understanding (MOA) within 30 days for disposal of materials.
10Protections and limits on rights-of-way
11- Rights-of-way must include reasonable terms to protect Conservation Area resources and cannot permanently adversely affect surface resources.
12- The right-of-way cannot be located through or under areas designated as wilderness.
13- The authorization is subject to valid existing rights and must not preclude ongoing or future activities within designated corridors; new utility rights-of-way within an existing corridor may be established under NEPA and other laws, with Secretary-imposed terms and conditions.
14Management and compatibility with existing corridors
15- The expansion is subject to existing transmission and utility corridors and rights-of-way, including those approved by the Secretary in records of decision prior to enactment.
16- The act preserves the possibility of operating, maintaining, repairing, or replacing existing authorized facilities within corridors, and allows new corridors to be established where appropriate under applicable law.

Impact Areas

Primary affected group/area: Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) and Clark County, Nevada- SNWA gains a streamlined process and rights-of-way outside the expanded SCNCA to pursue the Horizon Lateral Pipeline, including geotechnical work and material extraction from tunneling, with rents waived.- Potential impacts on local water security, infrastructure planning, and regional development.Primary affected group/area: Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area and its resources- Expansion changes the scope of federal protections and land management within the newly added acres.- Provisions are designed to protect resources, avoid permanent adverse effects, and limit disruption in wilderness areas.Secondary/Additional impacts- Environmental and regulatory processes: Requires NEPA review for new corridors and facilities within existing corridors; MEMOs of understanding for material disposal; adherence to FLPMA and other applicable laws.- Public land management and wilderness protections: Explicit restrictions against placing rights-of-way through wilderness areas; preservation of designated corridors to minimize conflicts with conservation goals.- Fiscal considerations: Granting rights-of-way to SNWA “not subject to rents or other charges” represents a direct fiscal impact to federal land management finances, shifting cost burdens and potentially affecting revenue streams associated with land use.- Local economies and recreation: Increased activity related to geotechnical work and pipeline construction could affect recreation access, tourism, and local contractors, depending on timing and implementation.Right-of-way: A legal permission to use a strip of land for a specific purpose, such as a pipeline, power lines, or roads.NEPA: National Environmental Policy Act, which requires environmental review for major federal actions.Wilderness area: Federally designated lands with strong protections against development; the bill prohibits new rights-of-way through such areas.Corridor: A designated linear area managed for multiple utility uses (e.g., power, pipelines) to minimize environmental disruption when new facilities are built.

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