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US VE6AS* MEVAOA Reproduced from: J I^ m m - t o U B N A L LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, SUNDAY, M A Y 27, 1956 Plan Huge Industrial Center In Area Stale Seeks Land Near Confirmation of recent rumors that huge eastern industrial firms were plan­ning southern Nevada in­stallations was seen in the announcement Saturday that the State of Nevada is seeking 125,000 acres of federal land adjacent to Boulder City. The state plans to sponsor and con­trol a tremendous indust­rial development program in the area according to Gov. Charles H. Russell. Senators George W. Malone and Alan Bible and Congressman Clif­ton Young have received a full outline of the State’s project, the governor announced, and haije been asked to introduce and press for "Immediate enactment in Con­gress the needed legislation pro­viding for the transfer of the land to the State of Nevada. The area lies adjacent to and southwest of Boulder City, encom­passing the district known here­abouts as Dry Lake Valley. The State has chosen to rename the section Eldorado Valley. It is about 20 miles from Las Vegas. Two Year Survey The State’s action follows a two year survey carried on by Hugh A. Shamberger, Nevada State En­gineer, in collaboration with num­erous federal agencies. Shamberger’s survey originally #006-0 was initiated by the Colorado Riv­er Commission of Nevada in con­nection with this State’s participa­tion in the Supreme Court battle between Arizona and Nevada over the division of Colorado River wa­ter. Nevada sought its rightful share and intervened in the suit. It is understood that Shamberg­er, in making the survey, became acutely aware of the desire of numerous large industrial firms to locate in this area which offers numerous advantages, good low-humidity weather, water, power, transportation and in many cases a great supply of raw-materials. The desire of major industries for locations in Southern Nevada became very apparent to the mem­bers of the Colorado River Com­mission during the time it was disposing of the massive Basic Magnesium Plant. Many Requests Received It was recalled last night by those who were on the commis­sion or working with it at the time that a great many requests for industrial facilities continued to be received at the Commission offices long after all of the facilities at the Henderson plant had been transferred. Shamberger’s studies show the proposed area is,ideally situated and has all of the essential ele­ments necessary for an expansive industrial development—including homesite and small residential •tract areas to conveniently house plant and factory personnel. These findings and conclusions are fully confirmed and complete-ly'borne out, according to the Gov­ernor’s announcement, in a com­prehensive report prepared by a highly accredited Eastern firm of industrial investment and financial analysts engaged by independent interests to make an exhaustive industrial survey and economic study of Southern Nevada. Will Purchase Land Governor Russell’s plan contem­plates .acquiring the so-called El­dorado Valley area—comprising about 195 square miles—from .the Federal government on purchase terms and conditions that would enable the state to make large tracts of acreage available to ma­jor industrial concerns on an at­tractive non-profit basis. The tentative program calls for entering into long term leases or making outright sales on rental -terms and at prices based on the initial cost of the land to the state, plus a proportionate share in pre­liminary development expenditures which would include site planning, other engineering fees and expen­ses, and installing a pipeline to transmit water from nearby Lake Mead. Two large trunk lines which transmit natural gas from the Texas fields to the Southern Ne­vada region run through the cen­ter of the valley, and a network of power lines emanating from Boulder Dam transverse the en­tire area. In addition to the prime assets of ready access to Lake Mead’s abundant water supply and the availability of other essential utili­ties, the Governor stated that the engineering surveys and economic studies made by the various state, federal and independent agencies all stressed numerous other highly advantageous factors. Foremost among these are easy access to all means of transportation, ex­ceptional climatic conditions and excellent recreational facilities. The Boulder Dam branch of the Union Pacific Railroad, which con­nects with the main line in Las Vegas, passes through the northern edge of Eldorado Valley, U.S. High­way 95 runs through the center of the area, Join­ing with route 93 at Rail­road Pass, where both follow a four-lane divided highway into Henderson and Las Vegas. McCar-ran airfield, serving the entire Southern Nevada region is within 20 to 25 minutes driving distance.! All of the boating, bathing, and fishing facilities on Lake Mead are available within a 20-minute drive, and the new Lake Mohave recreational area is only 15 miles away. Governor Russell’s statement points out that utilization of the proposed area would fit into the government’s current industry dis­persal program because it is re­mote from major target zones apd has available vast tracts for both general and national defense-con­nected industrial plants and es­tablishments which would be of material benefit to the nation as a whole as well as to Southern Nevada and the entire state. In making today’s announcement Russell said; “ Before deciding to take the ini­tial steps seeking the Federal legis­lation which is required to imple­ment the proposed program, it was necessary to carefully examine and weigh the importance and pos­sible effect of certain statewide and regional factors which/appear to have a very significant bearing on possible large scale develop­ment of basic industries in South­ern Nevada. Early in our studies it became evident that in order to foster and successfully carry out such' a program two possible deter­rents or points of objection would have to be overcome by proper planning. “ It is obviously imperative that serious air-pollution in the Las Veg­as Valley be avoided, not only for the protection and comfort of the 'local residents but because of the detrimental effect this would have on the tourist and recreational trade, with resultant devaluation of property values. This problem is overcome by selection of the E l­dorado Valley site which is physi­cally separated from the Las Veg­as basin by a mountain range, and the fact that prevailing winds are from the northwest and would car­ry objectionable smog "away from | the Las Vegas, Henderson and (Continued on reverse side)