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U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today announced the U.S. Department of the Interior will invest $39.1 million from the sale of public lands in Southern Nevada to fund more than 40 projects to improve recreation, reduce the risk of wildfires, conserve sensitive landscapes and restore important wildlife habitat throughout the state. Joining the Secretary for a signing ceremony to finalize the agreement were U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Neil Kornze, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe, and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Estevan López.“Thanks to productive partnerships at every level of government, these projects will restore and enhance Nevada’s natural beauty and unique landscapes while improving the quality of life for millions of people in the state,” Secretary Jewell said. “This year’s funding will make landscapes more resilient in the face of longer wildfire seasons, create economic opportunities through increased outdoor recreation, and enhance protections for environmentally and culturally sensitive areas.”The 43 projects announced today are funded under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act to encourage environmental sustainability, community collaboration and wildlife connectivity. The Act allows proceeds from sales of U.S. public land in the Greater Las Vegas area (Clark County) to fund a range of conservation, restoration, capital improvement, and public improvement projects throughout the state. The revenue derived from land sales is divided among the State of Nevada General Education Fund, the Southern Nevada Water Authority, and the remainder derives from a specific account available to the Secretary of the Interior for these recreation and conservation projects. Since the law’s enactment in 1998, the program has raised $3.5 billion for more than 1,200 projects that benefit public places in Nevada.“Today’s announcement marks the latest chapter in a successful collaboration that invests in Nevada’s special areas,” BLM Director Neil Kornze said. “Thanks to this outstanding program, Nevada has benefited from more than 180,000 acres of wildlife habitat restored and 500 miles of popular trails constructed or improved.This program is an important legacy for Nevada and for our nation’s public lands.” The funding announced today includes $39.1 million for projects in the following categories:

• Hazardous Fuels Reduction and Wildfire Prevention - $5,740,970
• Parks, Trails & Natural Areas - $4,753,487
• Capital Improvements - $5,193,251
• Conservation Initiatives - $5,737,540
• Environmentally Sensitive Land Acquisitions - $12,230,400
• Eastern Nevada Landscape Restoration Project - $4,155,412
• Multi-Species Habitat Conservation - $1,291,523

The Round 15 package also includes $3 million in a special account reserve for emergency or unexpected project expenditures. More information on the Round 15 funding is online at www.blm.gov/snplma.