The federal government is significantly increasing its land holdings in Clark County, Nevada, raising concerns about the impact on local development. Currently, the federal government controls a staggering 88 percent of the land in Clark County. This trend is part of a broader pattern in the state, where federal authorities own more than 80 percent of Nevada’s total land area, which equates to over 56 million acres.
Mike Ford, a former Bureau of Land Management (BLM) employee and co-founder of a public lands consulting firm, highlighted the unique challenges facing Southern Nevada. He noted that since the passage of the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act in 1998, the proportion of land under federal ownership has not decreased and, in fact, has increased. The act was intended to facilitate land sales for development in the area, but it has instead contributed to the federal government’s growing land portfolio.
The BLM, which oversees approximately 47 million acres in Nevada, is responsible for much of this land ownership. Ford’s comments underscore a troubling paradox: while the act aimed to promote development, it has allowed the federal government to acquire more land deemed “sensitive” using proceeds from local land sales.
This situation has led to rising land prices, which poses a significant barrier for developers. According to Shawn McCoy, director of the UNLV’s Lied Center for Real Estate, the limited availability of land directly contributes to increased costs. He stated, “If land is constrained, land costs will be higher. When land costs are high, our multifamily developers will not be able to make housing pencil in low-income areas, and so rents may be systematically elevated.”
Surveying the current landscape, McCoy revealed that around 90,000 acres of accessible, developable land exist in Clark County. However, only approximately 25,000 acres are currently available for development in the Las Vegas Valley. Without a significant change in circumstances, this land could be fully utilized within the next six to eight years.
While infrastructure challenges, such as water supply, remain pressing, the federal government’s ongoing acquisition of land continues to act as an economic burden for the region. In a recent announcement, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner proposed an initiative to release more federal land for housing development. Although this proposal is welcomed, many stakeholders are now looking for tangible results.
Clark County stands at a critical juncture. The need for additional housing and the pressure on land prices highlight the urgency for effective policy measures that balance federal land management with local development needs. As the federal government reassesses its role in land ownership, Clark County remains a pivotal area to initiate changes that could benefit both the local economy and its residents.