Nevada lawmakers resurrect bills to block Sloan Hills quarry
WASHINGTON — Nevada lawmakers launched a new bid Tuesday to block a proposed gravel quarry at Sloan Hills outside Henderson.
Democratic Sen. Harry Reid and Republican Sen. John Ensign reintroduced a bill that would declare mining off-limits on 800 acres overseen by the Bureau of Land Management.
Republican Rep. Dean Heller submitted a companion bill in the House.
Similar bills stalled and died in last year’s session of Congress, and residents of Sun City Anthem and other housing developments continue to be concerned about the possibility an industrial operation a few miles from neighborhoods, the lawmakers said.
"This gravel pit will be detrimental to the surrounding community and should not be allowed to move forward," Heller said.
BLM officials are conducting an environmental impact study of gravel excavation in the area 15 miles south of Las Vegas off Interstate 15.
Two companies, Mexico-based Cemex and Service Rock Products of California, have proposed to lease 640 acres of the BLM property, which contains construction aggregates used to make concrete. Plans call for an open pit mining operation that would cart off millions of tons of sand and rock over 20 years.
Land use plans approve of sand and gravel development in the once-remote area at the southern end of the Las Vegas Valley, but residents in that section of Henderson say it is an uncomfortably short distance from relatively new neighborhoods.
Residents have turned out in large numbers against the proposal, contacting federal lawmakers directly and through Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak. Homeowners say they fear noise, dust and truck traffic from a quarry would threaten house values that already are under siege.
"The last thing that the city of Henderson needs right now is a gravel pit that will further drive down housing prices in the area," Ensign said.
Freshmen Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., also said he intends to support the legislation to block the gravel pit.
"The Sloan Hills gravel pit not only disturbs an otherwise peaceful community, but poses serious health risks to thousands of Nevada residents," Reid said.
At a Senate hearing in June, Sisolak presented senators with protest letters from residents of Anthem, Inspirada and other developments.
"The residents are just fearful of what could potentially come," Sisolak said.
Sloan Hills legislation died in Congress last year after it was made part of a package of about 100 public lands and wilderness initiatives late in the session. Republicans blocked the overall bill, saying it contained some controversial elements and was an overreach.
Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760.
Sloan Hills mining billMap of area and proposed gravel pit
