CLARK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM
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Petitioner: |
Marci Henson, Director, Department of Environment and Sustainability |
Recommendation:
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Approve and authorize the submission of one nomination package to the Bureau of Land Management for funding under Round 20 of the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act for Rainbow Owl Preserve Acquisition in the amount of $3,033,500.00, for a five-year period from date of award; approve and authorize acceptance of funds, if awarded; and authorize the Director or her designee to execute any necessary documents related thereto. (For possible action)
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FISCAL IMPACT:
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Fund #: |
2361.000 |
Fund Name: |
Desert Conservation Program |
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Fund Center: |
1300215100 |
Funded PGM/Grant: |
TBD |
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Amount: |
$3,033,500.00 |
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Description: |
SNPLMA Round 20 Nomination (off-cycle high-value land acquisition) |
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Additional Comments: |
N/A |
BACKGROUND:
The Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA) established a funding program that is administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The Clark County Desert Conservation Program (DCP) is eligible to submit nominations under the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) category of SNPLMA; this category was specifically established to fund projects related to the implementation of the MSHCP and its associated Section 10(a)(1)(B) incidental take permit.
The Rainbow Owl Preserve Acquisition project was included in the DCP's 2025-2027 Implementation Plan and Budget, which was approved by the Board on April 1, 2025. The nomination requests $3,033,500.00 from SNPLMA for the acquisition of two properties totaling approximately 6.14 acres located in the northwest quadrant of the Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area and within unincorporated Clark County, Nevada. The properties provide active nesting habitat for burrowing owl, a species that has been experiencing declining populations throughout its range. Acquisition of these properties would serve as advance mitigation under the MSHCP Amendment. Under the MSHCP Amendment, burrowing owl would be a covered species. If acquired, these properties would be enrolled into the DCP Reserve System and managed for the benefit of burrowing owl nesting habitat.
The Secretary of the Department of the Interior will make the final determination of funding award, anticipated in fall 2025. Following the Secretary’s determination, the BLM will execute financial agreements for a maximum of five years. Staff requests that the Board approve the submission of the attached project nomination and authorize the acceptance of funds, if awarded.