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Amodei pushes Yerington planApr 13, 2012 (Congressional Documents and Publications/ContentWorks via COMTEX) -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) today praised the decision by the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands to hold a legislative hearing for H.R. 4039, the Yerington Land Conveyance and Sustainable Development Act, on Tuesday, April 17. The hearing is the important first step before the bill can be marked up by the committee and brought to the House floor for consideration. Congressman Amodei: "For more than four years, the City of Yerington and Lyon County have worked on this sustainable development plan to enable all community stakeholders to benefit from an increase in adjacent private lands. The conveyance of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land would enable the city and county to grow while providing needed tax revenue and the potential for hundreds of long-term, high-paying jobs. "Nevada's unemployment rate is the highest in the nation and Lyon County's is the highest in Nevada. According to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, in February roughly 6,500 Nevadans gave up looking for a job and left the labor force all together. If we're serious about the economy, then this community-driven plan, with no cost to taxpayers, is exactly the sort of thing the federal government needs to fast-track. "I want to thank Chairman Rob Bishop (UT-1) for recognizing how important this legislation is to my constituents. I appreciate the support of the Nevada House delegation -- Representatives Berkley and Heck -- and I thank Senator Heller, who introduced companion legislation in the Senate. I trust that the Senate will recognize the urgency of the economic conditions in Lyon County and will also move quickly to advance the community's plan." H.R. 4039, the Yerington Land Conveyance and Sustainable Development Act The bill would convey approximately 10,000 acres of land administered by BLM to the City of Yerington for commercial, industrial, recreational and cultural development. The city and Lyon County are seeking to leverage the substantial infrastructure investments being made by Nevada Copper at its nearby Pumpkin Hollow project. Nevada Copper, which broke ground on the Pumpkin Hollow project in February, invested nearly $50 million in exploration to justify the $1 billion investment necessary to fully develop the mine. The mine will produce 250 to 300 million pounds of copper per year. The initial shaft sinking is already producing economic benefits with the creation of 30 to 40 jobs. An additional 250 to 500 construction jobs could start in 2013 if the land transfer is successful. At full operation in 2015-2016, Pumpkin Hollow is projected to employ 750 to 800 people directly. WHAT: Legislative hearing, H.R. 4039 (and other bills) WHEN: Tuesday, April 17, starting at 10:00 a.m. ET WHERE: Room 1324, Longworth House Office Building Read this original document at: http://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/amodei-pushes-yerington-plan/ |