Bill
HR 972
The bill would expand the Sloan Canyon NCA boundary and authorize SNWA to build and operate a permanent underground water pipeline through the NCA to enhance Las Vegas Valley drink
Status: Reported by House Natural Resources Committee (H. Rept. 119‑279); placed on Union Calendar.
Introduced: February 4, 2025. Primary House sponsor (federal bill): Rep. Dina Titus (D–NV).
Note on document inconsistencies
- The materials supplied include two different measures using the identifier “H.R. 972.” The substantive federal bill described in House Report 119‑279 amends the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area Act (summarized below). A separate, unrelated legislative text (LC 129 0490/a) is a resolution recognizing an individual (Stephanie Dean) — this appears to be a different/local resolution that shares the same number in another context. This summary focuses on the federal Sloan Canyon Conservation and Lateral Pipeline Act described in the committee report.
Purpose and intent
- To amend the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area (NCA) Act to (1) adjust/expand the NCA boundary, and (2) authorize the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) to construct and operate a permanent water pipeline (the proposed Horizon Lateral route) through part of the NCA to improve drinking-water reliability for the Las Vegas Valley.
Key provisions
- Boundary adjustment: Adds approximately 9,290 acres to the Sloan Canyon NCA, increasing the total area to about 57,728 acres, subject to valid existing rights.
- Rights-of-way: Directs the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to grant SNWA rights-of-way within the NCA to operate permanent underground water pipeline infrastructure.
- Use/disposal of materials: Authorizes SNWA to use or dispose of sand, gravel, minerals, or other materials excavated from tunneling; permits use of such materials for parking lots and infrastructure in the NCA.
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Requires the Secretary of the Interior and SNWA to enter into an MOU within 30 days after approval for use/disposal of tunneling materials within the right-of-way.
- Noninterference with existing uses: Clarifies the expansion is subject to valid existing rights-of-way and future rights-of-way within existing corridors for transmission and other utilities.
Rationale and impacts
- Rationale: Southern Nevada’s population and water demand are rising; the new pipeline provides redundancy (backup to the South Valley Lateral) and reliability for current and projected residents. The preferred southern route through less-developed areas (including under the NCA) is estimated to save taxpayers roughly $200 million vs. a northern alternative and minimize surface disturbance because the pipeline would be underground.
- Affected parties: SNWA (project proponent/operator), BLM (land manager), residents of Las Vegas/Henderson relying on water supply, and stakeholders concerned with conservation, land use, and mineral/material use within the NCA.
- Federal estate: The report states the additional acres are already administered by BLM, so the legislation would not expand federal land holdings.
Procedural / timeline notes
- Committee action: Referred to House Natural Resources (2/4/2025); Markup and ordered favorably reported by unanimous consent (4/9/2025); H. Rept. 119‑279 issued (9/15/2025). A hearing used to develop the bill was held by the Subcommittee on Federal Lands on March 20, 2024.
- MOU required within 30 days after approval for material use/disposal.
Budget/oversight
- The committee requested and included a Congressional Budget Office cost estimate with the report; the report notes compliance with applicable House rules and oversight findings.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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