April '10 Nevada Government—U.S. Senator Harry Reid Column

Reid Breaks Ground On Eldorado Valley
Regional Public Safety Training Facility

State-of-the-art resources will help keep Southern Nevadans safe

April 1, 2010 – Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today was joined by Congresswoman Dina Titus and leaders from Henderson and Boulder City for the groundbreaking of the Eldorado Valley Regional Public Safety Training Facility. Reid secured $1.5 million for the facility that when completed will allow police departments from both cities to share state-of-the-art resources at the 250-acre site. In addition to providing a secure location for firearms and other training, the facility will eventually include a major emergency vehicle operations course and tactical SWAT training.

“Residents of Southern Nevada will be safer as a result of this partnership between Henderson and Boulder City,” Reid said. “I commend Mayors Hafen and Tobler for their vision and teamwork to continue a tradition of having the best-trained law enforcement forces in the country. As a former police officer, I know the sacrifice these good men and women make every day and how important it is to give them the resources they need to keep us safe.”

Senator Reid breaks ground on a new public safety training facility with members of the City of Henderson police department.

Reid Calls For Extended Public Comment Period
For Proposed Gravel Pit Project

April 1, 2010 – Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today sent a letter to Bob Abbey, the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), encouraging him to provide an extended period for public comment on the Sloan Hills Mineral Materials Sale once the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is released in early summer. Reid also requested that the BLM ensure that the forthcoming document protects the BLM’s ability to deny the permit for the quarry. Reid has been contacted by thousands of southern Nevada residents who are concerned about the project’s location and its potential impact on surrounding neighborhoods. Reid wants to make certain that the public has sufficient time to weigh in on this proposal. A copy of Reid’s letter to Abbey is included below.

April 1, 2010

The Honorable Robert A. Abbey
Director, Bureau of Land Management
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240

Dear Director Abbey:

Over the past year, I have been contacted by thousands of people in southern Nevada who share my serious concerns about a proposed gravel mining operation that would be near many neighborhoods in Henderson. I am aware that the BLM intends to release the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) prepared for this project—the proposed Sloan Hills Mineral Materials Sale—early this summer. I write today to encourage you to provide an extended public comment period once that DEIS is released and to make sure that the DEIS sufficiently considers denying the permit for this gravel pit.

As you may be aware, there is considerable public controversy over this proposed gravel pit, including serious concerns about how the proposed operations would impact the quality of life and general health of residents that live in the Inspirada, Anthem, and Southern Highlands neighborhoods. It is important that the local communities get the maximum amount of time allowed under the BLM’s regulations to examine the forthcoming document. A comment period of at least 90 days to review and submit comments on the DEIS would be a welcome step by the Bureau of Land Management.

Additionally, I encourage you to ensure that the DEIS carefully analyzes this project in a manner that preserves the BLM’s opportunity to deny the permit for the proposed mineral materials sale. According to the settlement agreement that prompted this Environmental Impact Statement, the BLM must engage in a process to consider the proposed sale; however, nothing in that agreement restricts the BLM’s discretion to deny the opening of the proposed gravel pit. It is imperative that the BLM consider and present to the public a DEIS that does not foreclose this option.

If you have any questions, please contact me or my staff at (202) 224-3542. I appreciate your attention to and consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

HARRY REID
United States Senator

Reid Announces Assistance For Nevadans
Who Had Loans With Failed Banks

Temporary Las Vegas FDIC office
will provide easy point of contact for Nevadans

March 31, 2010 – Washington, DC – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today announced that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has temporarily dispatched two full-time employees to Las Vegas. These FDIC employees will provide assistance to Nevadans who had loans with failed banks. The nearest FDIC field office is located 248 miles away in Monrovia, California. Because of the significant number of Las Vegas area loans in receivership, this local office will provide Nevadans a point of contact to the FDIC.

“I thank the FDIC for taking action to help Nevadans deal with the fallout of failed banks,” Reid said. “When hardworking Nevadans suffer financial hardship through no fault of their own, it is important that agencies like this step up to provide needed assistance.”

“As receiver for many loans of failed banks in the Las Vegas area, the FDIC wants to make sure these borrowers have identified points of contact in their state to direct their questions,” Deputy to the Chairman for External Affairs Paul Nash said.

The two FDIC employees are Edmund F. Di Panni, a Post Closing Asset Manager in the FDIC’s Division of Resolutions and Receiverships, and Raymond J. Rudnicki, a Senior Ombudsman Specialist. Di Panni and Rudnicki will work out of an office located at 1400 S. Rainbow Boulevard in Las Vegas and can be reached at (702) 310-6203.

Reid Speaks At Nevada Conservation League’s
Green Tie Reception

March 29, 2010 – Las Vegas, NV – Today, Nevada Senator Harry Reid spoke at the first Green Tie Reception held by the Nevada Conservation League. The event was a fundraiser to benefit the non-profit organization and to honor Senator Reid’s accomplishments in making Nevada a renewable energy leader.

“I thank the Nevada Conservation League for their long-lasting support of clean energy initiatives to protect and improve Nevada’s environment and economy,” said Senator Reid. “Like the League, I am committed to promoting a cleaner environment, creating jobs for thousands of Nevadans and building a more secure and sustainable future for all Nevada.”

Senator Reid speaks at the Nevada Conservation League’s Green Tie Reception.

Reid Speaks At Opening Of
RTC Centennial Hills Transit Center

Recovery Act funding created jobs, made project possible

March 29, 2010 – Washington, DC – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today joined RTC General Manager Jacob Snow, RTC Board President and County Commissioner Larry Brown, members of Nevada’s congressional delegation, and state and local leaders for the opening of the RTC Centennial Hills Transit Center, a project that is 70 percent funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the first of four RTC projects to be completed thanks to the Recovery Act.

The newly-built Park & Ride offers ACExpress rapid, non-stop transit service to Downtown Las Vegas. The high-speed bus service soon will travel from Centennial Hills to UNLV in 60 minutes and provide an environmentally friendly alternative to public vehicle transportation. In the near future, these diesel hybrid electric vehicles will run along Boulder Highway and Sahara Avenue.

“The Centennial Hills Transit Center is exactly the type of reinvestment project we anticipated when we passed the Recovery Act last year,” said Reid. “In addition to putting Nevadans to work on the construction of the transit center, this rapid transit line provides residents with an environmentally friendly option for getting around the valley, whether they’re going to work, school, or enjoying one of the many attractions in Las Vegas. We’re helping the local economy improve by making it easier and efficient for residents to get from point A to point B.”

“The ACExpress C-Line is ideal for commuters and students because it’s faster than traditional transit,” explained RTC General Manager Jacob Snow. “It is truly a hybrid system. It has the speed of a light rail line and the flexibility of a bus. Commuters will find it is an ideal way to travel from the northwest part of the valley to Downtown.”