Sponsors
Introduced March 25, 2026 by Catherine Marie Cortez Masto · Last progress March 25, 2026
The bill permanently protects substantial public lands and expands tribal trust lands while accelerating transfers to state and local governments and allowing active land management for wildfire safety — but it shifts cleanup and conveyance costs to local recipients, reduces some economic development (mining, taxable land, certain gaming), and tightens statutory definitions that may limit future flexibility or invite litigation.
Rural residents, visitors, and local recreation businesses gain permanent protection for ~12,392 acres as designated wilderness, preserving scenery, wildlife habitat, and low‑impact recreation opportunities.
Washoe Tribe and tribal members receive ~2,669 acres taken into trust and clearer statutory recognition, expanding tribal land base and jurisdictional clarity.
Residents, tribal land managers, and nearby communities benefit from authorized fuel‑reduction, landscape restoration, and continued active management (fire, insect, disease control), reducing wildfire risk and protecting public safety and property.
County and State governments (and local taxpayers) face significant up‑front conveyance and administrative costs—and potential environmental cleanup liabilities—because recipients must pay surveys, appraisals, closing fees and may inherit contamination or improvements not remediated by the Secretary.
Rural communities and workers lose potential resource‑development jobs and related economic activity because designated wilderness permanently withdraws ~12,392 acres from mining and mineral leasing.
Local governments and taxpayers may experience reduced property tax revenues because land taken into trust (and certain federal transfers) removes parcels from the local tax rolls.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Transfers specified federal lands in Douglas County to Nevada, Douglas County, and the Washoe Tribe; designates Burbank Canyons Wilderness; and requires agency surveys, maps, and permit processing.
Conveys specified federal lands in Douglas County, Nevada to the State, Douglas County, and the Washoe Tribe for conservation, public use, tribal trust, flood control, and other public purposes; designates about 12,392 acres as the Burbank Canyons Wilderness; and directs federal agencies to complete surveys, maps, and processing steps (including certain Santini–Burton actions and special‑use authorizations) as soon as practicable after enactment. Conveyances are generally made without consideration but require the receiving government to pay conveyance costs and are subject to valid existing rights, limitations on future disposal, and specific use restrictions (including ineligibility for certain gaming on trust lands).