Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area Boundary Adjustment
Section 3 · Sec. 3 ·
What this chapter is about
This part makes the Sloan Canyon land bigger. It swaps in a new map and a new acre count. It also orders a water agency be given the right to build a pipeline. Rules and limits come with that right.
The document says “is amended”Who acts: CongressHow: statuteSec. 3 in the PDF
What the document says
“Section 603(4) of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area Act (16 U.S.C. 460qqq-1(4)) is amended by striking ``map entitled `Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act' and dated October 1, 2002'' and inserting ``map entitled `Proposed Sloan Canyon Expansion' and dated May 20, 2024''.”
Section 3(a)(1) of the Act. It amends section 603(4) of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area Act (16 U.S.C. 460qqq-1(4)), striking the reference to a map entitled Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act and dated October 1, 2002, and inserting a reference to a map entitled Proposed Sloan Canyon Expansion and dated May 20, 2024. The map itself is not printed in the Act.
What the document actually says
“Section 603(4) of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area Act (16 U.S.C. 460qqq-1(4)) is amended by striking ``map entitled `Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act' and dated October 1, 2002'' and inserting ``map entitled `Proposed Sloan Canyon Expansion' and dated May 20, 2024''.”
That sentence, in plain words
The old map is taken out. A new map is put in. The new map is dated May 20, 2024.
What this is about
A map shows where land starts and stops. Change the map and you change the edge of the land.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “is amended”Who acts: CongressHow: statuteSec. 3 in the PDF
What the document says
“Section 604(b) of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area Act (16 U.S.C. 460qqq-2(b)) is amended by striking ``48,438'' and inserting ``57,728''.”
Section 3(a)(2) of the Act. It amends section 604(b) of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area Act (16 U.S.C. 460qqq-2(b)), striking the figure 48,438 and inserting the figure 57,728. This Act prints the heading Acreage over the change and says no more about the sentence the figure sits in.
What the document actually says
“Section 604(b) of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area Act (16 U.S.C. 460qqq-2(b)) is amended by striking ``48,438'' and inserting ``57,728''.”
That sentence, in plain words
One number is crossed out. A bigger number is put in its place.
What this is about
The heading on this bit is Acreage. Acres are how land is counted.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: Secretary of the Interior, Bureau of Land ManagementHow: statuteSec. 3 in the PDF
What the document says
“the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (referred to in this subsection as the `Secretary'), shall, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, grant to the Southern Nevada Water Authority (referred to in this subsection as the `Authority'), not subject to the payment of rents or other charges”
Section 3(b) of the Act. It amends section 605 of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area Act (16 U.S.C. 460qqq-3) by adding a new subsection (h). Under it the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, is to grant the Southern Nevada Water Authority the temporary and permanent water pipeline rights-of-way, and the powerline, facility and access road rights-of-way outside the Conservation Area boundary, that are depicted on the map. The grant is to be made no later than one year after enactment, is not subject to rents or other charges, and is made notwithstanding sections 202 and 503 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712, 1763) and subject to valid existing rights and to the requirements in paragraph (3).
What the document actually says
“the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (referred to in this subsection as the `Secretary'), shall, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, grant to the Southern Nevada Water Authority (referred to in this subsection as the `Authority'), not subject to the payment of rents or other charges”
That sentence, in plain words
The head of the Interior Department must hand over the right to use the land. A water agency gets it. It must happen within a year. The agency pays no rent.
What this is about
A right-of-way is written leave to build across land you do not own. Here it is for a water pipe and the things that serve it.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: Southern Nevada Water AuthorityHow: statuteSec. 3 in the PDF
What the document says
“for the purposes of-- ``(A) performing geotechnical investigations within the rights-of-way; and ``(B) constructing and operating water transmission and related facilities.”
Section 3(b) of the Act, in new subsection (h)(1). It states the two purposes for which the rights-of-way are granted: performing geotechnical investigations within them, and constructing and operating water transmission and related facilities.
What the document actually says
“for the purposes of-- ``(A) performing geotechnical investigations within the rights-of-way; and ``(B) constructing and operating water transmission and related facilities.”
That sentence, in plain words
The land can be used for two things. One is testing the ground. The other is building and running water lines.
What this is about
Testing the ground means digging to see what the dirt and rock are like. That tells builders whether a pipe can go there.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “can”Who acts: Southern Nevada Water AuthorityHow: statuteSec. 3 in the PDF
What the document says
“The Authority may, without consideration, excavate and use or dispose of sand, gravel, minerals, or other materials from the tunneling of the water pipeline necessary to fulfill the purpose of the rights-of-way granted under paragraph (1).”
Section 3(b) of the Act, in new subsection (h)(2)(A). The Southern Nevada Water Authority may dig out and then use or dispose of sand, gravel, minerals or other materials from tunneling the water pipeline, without consideration, so far as that is necessary to fulfill the purpose of the rights-of-way.
What the document actually says
“The Authority may, without consideration, excavate and use or dispose of sand, gravel, minerals, or other materials from the tunneling of the water pipeline necessary to fulfill the purpose of the rights-of-way granted under paragraph (1).”
That sentence, in plain words
The water agency can dig out sand, rock and other stuff. It can keep it or get rid of it. It pays nothing for it.
What this is about
Digging a tunnel makes a lot of loose rock and dirt. This says what may be done with it.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: Secretary of the Interior, Southern Nevada Water AuthorityHow: statuteSec. 3 in the PDF
What the document says
“Not later than 30 days after the date on which the rights-of-way are granted under paragraph (1), the Secretary and the Authority shall enter into a memorandum of understanding identifying Federal land on which the Authority may dispose of materials under subparagraph (A) to further the interests of the Bureau of Land Management.”
Section 3(b) of the Act, in new subsection (h)(2)(B). Within 30 days of the grant, the Secretary and the Southern Nevada Water Authority are to enter a memorandum of understanding identifying the Federal land on which the Authority may dispose of the material, to further the interests of the Bureau of Land Management.
What the document actually says
“Not later than 30 days after the date on which the rights-of-way are granted under paragraph (1), the Secretary and the Authority shall enter into a memorandum of understanding identifying Federal land on which the Authority may dispose of materials under subparagraph (A) to further the interests of the Bureau of Land Management.”
That sentence, in plain words
Within 30 days the two sides must sign a written deal. It must name the federal land where the dug out stuff can go.
What this is about
A memorandum of understanding is a written deal between two sides. Here it settles where the rock and dirt may be put.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “can”Who acts: Secretary of the InteriorHow: statuteSec. 3 in the PDF
What the document says
“The Secretary may include reasonable terms and conditions, consistent with section 505 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1765), as are necessary to protect Conservation Area resources.”
Section 3(b) of the Act, in new subsection (h)(3)(A). The Secretary may attach reasonable terms and conditions to a right-of-way issued under the subsection, consistent with section 505 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1765), as are necessary to protect Conservation Area resources.
What the document actually says
“The Secretary may include reasonable terms and conditions, consistent with section 505 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1765), as are necessary to protect Conservation Area resources.”
That sentence, in plain words
The head of the Interior Department can add rules. The rules must be fair. They must guard what is on the land.
What this is about
Rules like these are written into the grant itself. They ride along with the right to build.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall not”Who acts: Southern Nevada Water AuthorityHow: statuteSec. 3 in the PDF
What the document says
“Construction of the water pipeline shall not permanently adversely affect conservation area surface resources.”
Section 3(b) of the Act, in new subsection (h)(3)(B). It makes a right-of-way issued under the subsection subject to the requirement that construction of the water pipeline not permanently adversely affect conservation area surface resources.
What the document actually says
“Construction of the water pipeline shall not permanently adversely affect conservation area surface resources.”
That sentence, in plain words
Building the pipe must not harm the top of the land for good.
What this is about
Surface means the ground you can see and walk on. The law uses the word permanently, so lasting harm is what it bars.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall not”Who acts: Southern Nevada Water AuthorityHow: statuteSec. 3 in the PDF
What the document says
“The right-of-way shall not be located through or under any area designated as wilderness.”
Section 3(b) of the Act, in new subsection (h)(3)(C). It makes a right-of-way issued under the subsection subject to the requirement that it not be located through or under any area designated as wilderness.
What the document actually says
“The right-of-way shall not be located through or under any area designated as wilderness.”
That sentence, in plain words
The route cannot cross land marked as wilderness. It cannot go under it either.
What this is about
Wilderness is a label Congress gives to some land. This part keeps the pipe away from land with that label.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: CongressHow: statuteSec. 3 in the PDF
What the document says
“shall be subject to valid existing rights, including land within a designated utility transmission corridor or a transmission line right-of-way grant approved by the Secretary in a record of decision issued before the date of the enactment of this Act”
Section 3(c)(1) of the Act. The expansion of the Conservation Area boundary made by subsection (a) is subject to valid existing rights, including land within a designated utility transmission corridor or a transmission line right-of-way grant the Secretary approved in a record of decision issued before the date of enactment.
What the document actually says
“shall be subject to valid existing rights, including land within a designated utility transmission corridor or a transmission line right-of-way grant approved by the Secretary in a record of decision issued before the date of the enactment of this Act”
That sentence, in plain words
Rights people already hold still count. That takes in land set aside for power lines.
What this is about
Making the protected land bigger does not undo deals made before. A record of decision is the paper that says a deal was approved.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall not”Who acts: CongressHow: statuteSec. 3 in the PDF
What the document says
“shall not preclude-- (A) any activity authorized in accordance with a designated corridor or right-of-way referred to in paragraph (1), including the operation, maintenance, repair, or replacement of any authorized utility facility within the corridor or right-of-way”
Section 3(c)(2)(A) of the Act. The boundary expansion does not preclude activity authorized in accordance with a corridor or right-of-way described in paragraph (1), including operating, maintaining, repairing or replacing an authorized utility facility within it.
What the document actually says
“shall not preclude-- (A) any activity authorized in accordance with a designated corridor or right-of-way referred to in paragraph (1), including the operation, maintenance, repair, or replacement of any authorized utility facility within the corridor or right-of-way”
That sentence, in plain words
Work that was already allowed can go on. That takes in running, fixing and swapping out power gear.
What this is about
Power lines and towers are utility gear. This part says the bigger boundary does not stop work on them.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall not”Who acts: Secretary of the InteriorHow: statuteSec. 3 in the PDF
What the document says
“the Secretary from authorizing the establishment of a new utility facility right-of-way within an existing designated transportation and utility corridor referred to in paragraph (1)-- (i) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and other applicable laws; and (ii) subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.”
Section 3(c)(2)(B) of the Act. The boundary expansion does not preclude the Secretary from authorizing a new utility facility right-of-way within an existing designated transportation and utility corridor, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and other applicable laws, and subject to the terms and conditions the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
What the document actually says
“the Secretary from authorizing the establishment of a new utility facility right-of-way within an existing designated transportation and utility corridor referred to in paragraph (1)-- (i) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and other applicable laws; and (ii) subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.”
That sentence, in plain words
New power line paths can still be approved. They must sit in a strip already set aside. Other laws still apply.
What this is about
A corridor is a strip of land kept for lines and roads. The law named here makes an agency study effects first.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall not”Who acts: CongressHow: statuteSec. 3 in the PDF
What the document says
“nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act shall modify the management of the Conservation Area”
Section 3(d) of the Act. Except as provided in the amendment made by subsection (b), nothing in the Act or its amendments modifies the management of the Conservation Area under section 605 of the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area Act (16 U.S.C. 460qqq-3).
What the document actually says
“nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act shall modify the management of the Conservation Area”
That sentence, in plain words
Nothing else here changes how this land is run.
What this is about
The land already has rules for how it is looked after. Only the new pipeline part touches them.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
Each distinct thing the section does: the two boundary amendments, the right-of-way the new subsection directs the Secretary to grant, the purposes and conditions attached to it, the memorandum of understanding on disposing of tunneled material, and the savings clauses on existing corridors and on management of the Conservation Area.
Purely mechanical amendments. Striking a figure and inserting another is recorded only as the strike and the insertion, because what the surrounding sentence of the older law says is not indexed here.
The section works by amending the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area Act, which this site does not index, so a reader following a citation into that Act will find the older wording until this one is applied. The map named in subsection (a)(1) is not reproduced here, so the exact new boundary cannot be read off this page.
