I suspect you are correct, and, keep in mind that Nevada is called the Silver State, for its minerals played an important part in the civil war. Also, north of Vegas, is where they set off numerous nuke tests in the Nevada range. Maybe the Reids would like to have that land for their family fortunes.
I used to visit army depots up and down Nevada all the way to Sierra Depot not far across the line from Reno into Cali. Think it was 95/93.
It was barren. It was rocks and sand until you found elevation, and then you’d find a few little towns. I knew about the mining days, the silver, etc., but beyond that in terms of utility it wasn’t much. If a few ranchers were able to feed cattle, then more power to them.
And I’ll bet that’s exactly what the fed thought when they purposed that land. In my opinion, when they purposed it, they gave up oversight.