{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.heller.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=CF336C8F-CFE7-484A-9F15-9C803AE8F559", "Heller and Reid Introduce the Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act", "2016-06-28", "2016", "2016-06", "Republican", "House", "NV", "Dean Heller", "H001041", "www.heller.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC)\u00a0\u2013 Recently, U.S. Senators Dean Heller (R-NV) and Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced the Pershing County Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2016 (S. 3102), public lands legislation providing new opportunities for economic development throughout the county while promoting conservation. This bipartisan legislation is the result of an inclusive, grassroots-driven public process, including meetings, discussions, and visits with and between Pershing County officials and local residents.\r\n\u201cGiven that over 75 percent of Pershing County is controlled by the BLM and much of it is in a checkerboard pattern, it is important we enact this common-sense solution providing the community long-term economic development opportunities while reducing fire risks and enhancing wildlife habit,\u201d said Senator Dean Heller. \u201cThis bill reflects Pershing County\u2019s hard work to develop an innovative lands package that balances the opinions of diverse stakeholders. Our Congressional delegation will work diligently to ensure their efforts are rewarded and to make their vision a reality.\u201d\r\n\u201cThroughout my career, I have worked hard to craft bipartisan lands bills that present commonsense solutions to problems, help local economies, and protect lands for future generations. This bill is no different. Local officials, mining companies, ranchers and conservationists came together to work toward a comprehensive proposal that will be good for Nevada and good for Pershing County,\u201d said Senator Harry Reid. \u201cAs this legislation shows, we can strike a meaningful balance between protecting Nevada\u2019s rugged, diverse landscapes and promoting economic opportunity and prosperity. I look forward to continuing that work as we move this legislation through Congress.\u201d\r\nBACKGROUND:\r\nAt a June 1, 2016 special commission meeting, the Pershing County Commission unanimously approved a resolution requesting that the Nevada Congressional delegation introduce the draft public lands bill.\u00a0 The bill includes several important pieces such as:\r\n \r\nAn innovative solution to resolve the complicated land management issue of checkerboard lands, including the disposal and exchange of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in the county for economic development and public purposes.\r\nThe designation of certain wilderness areas on BLM land in the county.\r\nThe release of the selected wilderness study areas, currently managed as by the BLM as wilderness, back into multiple-use.\r\n \r\nMore details on the bill, including maps, can be found here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.heller.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=CF336C8F-CFE7-484A-9F15-9C803AE8F559"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.844830647110939, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}