Protecting Sloan Canyon in Nevada

The Sloan Canyon and Lateral Pipeline Act was introduced by Nevada Rep. Dina Titus in 2023 to expand the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area. Though not a frequently visited place, it is one of the most striking landscapes in Nevada. 

Sloan Canyon is a 48,438 acre area that forms the southern skyline of Las Vegas. Remnants of the area’s volcanic history, the Sweetwater River and the North McCullough Wilderness Area define the region’s piercing mountain peaks and deep canyon passes. The region is home to a wide variety of wildlife species such as desert kangaroo rats, jackrabbits, kit foxes, chuckwalla lizards, mountain lions, bobcats and roadrunners. Adding 9,290 acres of protected land to this National Conservation Areas means that these special creatures will have more space to hunt, migrate and mate.

In addition to a unique landscape that sustains a wide variety of biodiversity, Sloan Canyon is also home to a rich cultural history. Sloan Canyon’s Petroglyph site contains approximately 300 rock writing panels and 1,700 designs that document the presence of local indigenous tribes including the Puebloan, Patayan and Southern Paiute peoples. 

Expanding the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area by 20%, as proposed in Rep. TItus’ bill will expand protections for one of Nevada’s most prized landscapes. A National Conservation Area is a designation that aims to preserve, enhance, and manage public land areas like Sloan Canyon by protecting them from future development. By extending the scope of Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, Congress has the power to make these treasured lands available for future enjoyment.