Contact Congress about S. 4200: Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act
Douglas County, Nevada, would get more control over some federal land. The bill would also protect a new wilderness area, move land into trust for the Washoe Tribe, and use land-sale money for schools, county needs, conservation, and flood control.
Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act is a Senate bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Latest action on S. 4200: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects people and governments tied to land use in Douglas County, Nevada. The biggest effects fall on Douglas County, the Washoe Tribe, the State of Nevada, federal land managers, nearby recreation users, ranchers, conservation groups, and people interested in local development or flood control.
Why this matters: This bill matters because it would change who makes decisions about major land areas in Douglas County. That could shape where people can build, recreate, protect habitat, or carry out flood control work. It would protect Burbank Canyons as wilderness, while also allowing some federal land to be sold or transferred. The bill tries to balance local control, tribal land rights, conservation, public access, water rights, and existing uses like grazing and flights.
Key provisions in S. 4200
- Nevada would get about 67 acres of Forest Service land near Lake Tahoe. It must use the land for wildlife, natural resource conservation, or a public park, or the land could go back to the federal government.
- Douglas County would get about 7,777 acres of federal land for flood control, recreation, environmental quality, or other public uses. These uses must fit the Recreation and Public Purposes Act, and the county could not sell the land.
- Douglas County could buy the federal government’s right to take the land back if it is misused. The price would be the appraised fair market value, and the county would pay the transaction costs.
- The federal government would have to sell about 31.5 acres of named land, plus other parcels picked by the county and federal officials together. The price must be at least fair market value, and sales must use bidding unless the Secretary chooses another method.
- Land-sale money would be split three ways. Nevada would get 5% for general education, Douglas County would get 10% for its general budget, and 85% would go into a Douglas County Special Account for sale costs, tribal trust-land transfers, and local land protection or flood control projects.
How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 4200
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Questions people ask about S. 4200
- What is S. 4200?
- Douglas County, Nevada, would get more control over some federal land. The bill would also protect a new wilderness area, move land into trust for the Washoe Tribe, and use land-sale money for schools, county needs, conservation, and flood control.
- How do I support or oppose S. 4200?
- Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.
- Who should I contact about S. 4200?
- Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.
- Can Modern Action explain S. 4200 before I act?
- Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.
