Yesterday, Nevada Senators Dean Heller and Harry Reid jointly re-introduced the Lyon County Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2012. The two senators formally re-introduced the legislation to ensure its consideration by the Senate in the 113 th Congress. The Lyon County lands bill will allow the City of Yerington to work with Nevada Copper to expand its mining operation and create jobs while also providing the City with new infrastructure, job creation, and recreational opportunities. This bi-partisan legislation was a collaborative effort that resulted from countless meetings, discussions, and site visits with and between Lyon County officials and local residents.
“I am encouraged that officials on all levels were able to come together on a measure that will create hundreds of jobs in one of Nevada’s most distressed counties. This legislation will allow Nevadans to utilize resources in our own backyard that can be used to create jobs and grow our local economy. Considering that mining is the backbone of Nevada’s rural economy, measures such as these are critical to ensuring economic recovery in our state. I look forward to working with the entire Nevada delegation to pass this legislation out of Congress as soon as possible,” said Senator Dean Heller.
“My father was a miner. I’ve worked in the mines. I know how important mining has always been for the state of Nevada, and I look forward to working with the Nevada congressional delegation to pass this important bill,” said Senator Harry Reid. “I am very happy to be part of this legislation which will create lots of jobs in Lyon county, which are so desperately needed. This bill also designates the Wovoka wilderness area, a place with special cultural and natural resources that are worthy of a high level of protection so future generations can continue enjoying them. It’s a bill that’s going to meet the needs of modern day Nevada.”
About the Lyon County Conservation and Economic Development Act of 2013
The legislation will allow the City of Yerington to partner with Nevada Copper to develop roughly 12,500 acres of land surrounding the Pumpkin Hollow project site, which is already creating jobs in Nevada. The Pumpkin Hollow project is estimated to create 800 mining jobs and 500 construction jobs. The lands conveyed by this bill will also be used for industrial, recreation, and infrastructure purposes that will create sorely needed jobs and economic development for Yerington.
It will also designate an important wilderness area, known as the Wovoka Wilderness, while protecting the rights and interests of ranchers and miners who earn their living on the land in the area. Wovoka is named in honor of the Native American spiritual leader and father of the Ghostdance who was born and raised in the area.
The proposed Wovoka Wilderness is approximately 48,000 acres and withdraws from mining and development additional land with sensitive cultural resources. Wovoka has invaluable prehistoric cultural and natural resources that are worthy of protection so future generations can continue enjoying them. Wovoka contains landscapes and wildlife habitat that have been enjoyed by hunters, outdoors enthusiasts, and explorers since John C. Fremont camped along the nearby East Walker River in 1844.