H.R. 972: Sloan Canyon Conservation and Lateral Pipeline Act

This bill, titled the Sloan Canyon Conservation and Lateral Pipeline Act, aims to make specific adjustments to the boundaries of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, as well as grant rights-of-way for water pipeline infrastructure for the Southern Nevada Water Authority. The key components of the bill are:

Boundary Adjustment

The bill proposes to change the boundaries of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area by:

• Updating the official map to reflect the new boundary, replacing the previous map dated October 1, 2002, with a new one titled "Proposed Sloan Canyon Expansion" dated May 20, 2024.
• Increasing the acreage of the conservation area from 48,438 acres to 57,728 acres.

Rights-of-Way for Water Pipeline

The bill grants the Southern Nevada Water Authority the rights to:

• Obtain both temporary and permanent rights-of-way for water pipeline infrastructure, as well as facilities and access roads located outside the conservation area boundaries.
• Perform geotechnical investigations and construct and operate water transmission facilities within these rights-of-way.
• Excavate and utilize materials like sand and gravel necessary for tunneling under the granted rights-of-way, without having to pay for the materials.

Compliance and Preservation

Any rights-of-way granted under this bill will be subject to certain conditions to protect the resources of the conservation area, including:

• Ensuring that the construction and operation of the water pipeline do not permanently harm the surface resources of the area.
• Protecting areas designated as wilderness by prohibiting the pipeline from being located through or under such spaces.

Utility Corridors and Existing Rights

The bill recognizes that the expansion of the conservation area will not interfere with existing utility corridors and rights-of-way. It outlines that:

• Authorized activities within these designated corridors can continue, including the maintenance and repair of existing utility facilities.
• The Secretary of the Interior retains the authority to approve new utility facilities within established transportation and utility corridors, as long as the process follows appropriate environmental regulations.

Management of the Conservation Area

Lastly, the bill specifies that the overall management of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area will continue under existing law, except as specifically outlined in the amendments made by this bill.

Relevant Companies

• SNWA: The Southern Nevada Water Authority may experience direct impacts from this legislation, as it would receive the rights to develop and operate new water transmission infrastructure within the granted rights-of-way.