President signs Reid legislation for new heliport in Clark County

In recent years helicopter tours of Las Vegas have become increasingly popular. These flights originate from McCarren International Airport and are part of a vibrant Grand Canyon tour industry that operates from Las Vegas.

In early 2004 community members approached Senator Harry Reid about daily helicopter overflights that were causing major noise and safety concerns.

In response to the concerns raised by residents, U.S. Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign crafted legislation to provide long-term viability for helicopter tour operators, to reduce noise for home owners, and safeguard one of Nevada's richest petroglyph sites by establishing a designated heliport south of the Henderson city limits and just east of Interstate 15.

Senator Reid sought input from interested parties at town hall meetings during the initial steps of drafting the legislation and ultimately introduced and passed the legislation in order to improve and protect the quality of life in Anthem and surrounding communities.

The new law conveys 230 acres of federal land to Clark County for a new heliport landing site and sets guidelines for helicopter flight paths over the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area to ensure that flights avoid sensitive cultural resources and wildlife areas.

"The growth in southern Nevada continues to present new challenges," Reid said. "With this legislation we are able to balance the needs of the community and local businesses while protecting one of our most valuable historical sites, the ancient petroglyphs at Sloan Canyon."

"This legislation is a reasonable approach for air tour operators, residents and the natural resources in the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area," Ensign said. "We are planning five years ahead for our community's needs, which is a remarkable feat given the growth in southern Nevada. I am confident this will go a long way in preserving the interests of the Clark County residents and local businesses in the years to come."

Reid's legislation ensures that flights steer clear of the highest concentrations of sensitive and special cultural resources and minimize the impact on the bighorn sheep and other wildlife that live in the McCullough Mountains. Any helicopter flight originating from and/or landing at this heliport is required by law to follow a strict flight path through the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area and to stay at least 500 to 1000 feet above ground level while flying over the NCA.

The legislation also sets a $3 per passenger fee for each flight that flies over the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area. Two-thirds of the money collected will be made available for the protection of the cultural, wilderness, and wildlife resources in Nevada. One-third of the funds will be available to the Bureau of Land Management to support operations at the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area and the Red Rock National Conservation Area.

The bill also creates a process through which the conservation fee can be increased by up to 50 percent every ten years to ensure proper funding for high priority public lands projects at Sloan Canyon and throughout Nevada.

Senator Reid is proud of this accomplishment and was pleased to work with the entire Nevada Congressional Delegation and many stakeholders to arrive at a compromise that resolves the noise and safety concerns while also managing the land and airspace in the best interest of the public.

The President signed Reid's legislation into law on November 30, 2005.