New legislation aims to advance Nev.-Calif. high-speed rail project

U.S. Senators Dean Heller (R-Nev.) and Harry Reid (D-Nev.) as well as Congressman Joe Heck (R-Nev.) on March 3, 2016 introduced legislation to advance high-speed passenger rail service between Las Vegas and Southern California. S.2627/H.R.4670, also called the Mojave National Preserve Boundary Adjustment Act of 2016 removes federal red tape and promotes the most efficient and cost effective route for the proposed XpressWest rail project that will connect Las Vegas to Los Angeles with stops in Victorville and Palmdale.

Specifically, the Heller-Reid-Heck legislation transfers 520 acres of the Mojave National Preserve from the National Parks Service (NPS), which does not have a clear process to allow for development of infrastructure, to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), whose process is much more efficient, according to a release issued by Heller’s office. This adjustment is needed to facilitate construction of the preferred route for the XpressWest rail project. This shorter and more economically efficient route avoids unnecessary impacts on wildlife and habitat while also preventing the need to tunnel under hills, which is required by alternate routes.

“We need an ‘all of the above’ approach when it comes to addressing our transportation needs and enhancing tourism opportunities for Las Vegas. The XpressWest rail project will promote economic development and significantly boost tourism to Nevada, benefiting our state for years to come. I am proud to team up with Senator Reid and Congressman Heck to see this project completed in a timely and efficient manner,” Heller said.

“I have long supported high-speed rail in Nevada and this bill will get our state one step closer to having passenger rail connecting Las Vegas and Southern California. Allowing the border of the Mojave Preserve to be pulled back from the freeway in exchange for more vital inholdings within the Preserve is also a win for conservation,” Reid said.

“This simple land transfer between two federal agencies will allow the XpressWest project to pursue the most economically efficient route,” Heck said. “This direct route through the Mohave Natural Preserve is preferred by all parties because it avoids unnecessary impacts on wildlife and habitat and eliminates the need to dig expensive tunnels and take a less-direct route. I am pleased to be working with a bipartisan, bicameral group of my colleagues on this legislation and thank Senator Heller for again taking the lead on this effort in the Senate.”