BLM Finalizes Major Southern Nevada Land Sale to Address Housing Needs

RENO, Nev. - The Bureau of Land Management today announced the sale of nearly 940 acres of federally managed public land to the City of Las Vegas, clearing the way for a master-planned community of up to 6,000 homes at a time when Southern Nevada faces one of the nation's most acute housing shortages. The $94 million sale, conducted at appraised fair market value, will generate substantial funding for conservation, recreation, water and education across the state of Nevada.

The land, which is between the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe's Snow Mountain Reservation and Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, was selected because it is best suited to support community growth and economic development needs. Southern Nevada is projected to add hundreds of thousands of new residents over the next decade, and Clark County officials have identified a shortfall of tens of thousands of housing units necessary to accommodate current needs and anticipated growth. Supporters say the planned housing development is a direct response to that gap, along with the substantial economic activity it is expected to generate.

"By putting this land to work for the community, we're helping Las Vegas respond to a critical need for more housing while also strengthening the programs that protect Nevada's landscapes and support its people," said BLM Director Steve Pearce. "This sale enables new homes to be built, fuels economic opportunity, and generates funding for wildfire resilience, outdoor recreation, water sustainability and education. It's a strong example of responsible public land management designed to improve quality of life for Southern Nevadans."

"This is exactly the kind of bold action Nevada needs to increase our housing supply and make housing more attainable for hardworking Nevada families," said Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo. "This historic conveyance will create thousands of new homes, generate billions of dollars in economic activity, support our military families, and build the infrastructure and communities Southern Nevadans need. My administration will continue working with our federal, state, and local partners to unlock more federal land for housing and increase supply across Nevada to help drive down costs for families."

The sale was conducted at appraised fair market value under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act, which authorizes the BLM to sell federally managed public lands within the congressionally designated disposal boundary in the Las Vegas Valley. In accordance with the Act, 85% of the proceeds from this sale will support projects throughout Nevada, including parks, trails and natural areas; capital improvements on federal lands; acquisition of environmentally sensitive land; improvements for wildfire resiliency; and landscape restoration projects. An additional 5% will go to the State of Nevada for education, and 10% will go to the Southern Nevada Water Authority.