Why the Feds Control 85% of Nevada
The federal government owns 85% of the land in Nevada, a far greater share than in any other state. This includes about 48 million acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for multiple uses, such as grazing, mining, and recreation. Nevada leads the country in gold production, contributing 73% of the nation's output, and ranks among the top five gold-producing regions worldwide if considered independently.
Federal land ownership in Nevada dates back to the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which transferred the region from Mexico to the United States. When Nevada became a state in 1864, it agreed to allow the federal government to retain control over public lands not yet claimed by settlers under the Homestead Act.
In the early 1900s, political tensions regarding overgrazing led to the 1934 Taylor Grazing Act and the creation of the BLM in 1946. In the 1970s and 1980s, ranchers and officials, frustrated by regulations from the 1976 Federal Land Policy and Management Act, advocated for transferring federal lands to state control. President Reagan (R) provided limited support, enhancing state influence but not pursuing large-scale land transfers.
In 2014, a standoff in Bunkerville, Nevada, erupted when rancher Cliven Bundy, refusing to pay over $1 million in federal grazing fees, faced off with the BLM in an armed confrontation. This event, echoed by a 2016 Oregon refuge occupation, drew mixed reactions from Nevada politicians, highlighting deep tensions over federal land management. Senator Harry Reid (D) called Bundy’s supporters “domestic terrorists” and urged action against lawbreakers. Senator Dean Heller (R) initially supported the group, calling them “patriots,” but later condemned Bundy upon learning of his racist remarks. Governor Brian Sandoval (R) criticized the BLM’s tactics and encouraged de-escalation. The event highlighted tensions over federal land control, with Democrats emphasizing law enforcement and Republicans focusing on government overreach.
President Trump (R) committed to opening federal lands for housing development, decrying the inaction of prior administrations. Rep. Mark Amodei (R) spearheaded a proposal to streamline land sales in Nevada, emphasizing its potential to meet "housing and development needs." The plan met fierce resistance from Nevada’s remaining representatives, all Democrats. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D) denounced the proposal as a “forced sale of Nevada’s public lands.” Ultimately, Amodei’s amendment failed to move forward.
Nevada’s public lands debate remains at an impasse, with proposals to balance housing needs and environmental conservation stalled in Congress. Gov. Lombardo continues to push for releasing federal lands, arguing that extensive federal control constrains development. Lombardo recently signed a BLM data-sharing agreement to identify lands suitable for housing, a move Interior Secretary Doug Burgum (R) hailed as enabling “smart development” to tackle shortages. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s push to repeal a Biden-era public lands rule, criticized for limiting economic growth, alongside bipartisan efforts, highlights ongoing attempts to address Nevada’s complex land management challenges, though congressional progress remains elusive.
