Proposed National Monument in Vegas Gaining Approval

© Ryan Somma via Flickr

Ice Age mammals include the Columbian mammoth, American lion, and ground sloth - pictured here.

Clark County commissioners approved a resolution today that could designate an area in northern Las Vegas as a national monument. The designation would protect fossilized remains of ice-age animals that roamed the area 200,000 years ago.

Scientists determined that the fossils are from the Pleistocene Ice Age - a significant period of warming and cooling of the Southwest climate. The proposed monument would be located on 25,000 to 30,000 acres that border the Sheep Mountain range and the Desert National Wildlife Refuge.

The cities of Las Vegas and North Las Vegas are expected to vote on similar resolutions this week.