MINUTES OF THE

      SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

 

      Sixty-seventh Session

      January 29, 1993

 

 

 

The Senate Committee on Natural Resources was called to order by Chairman R. Hal Smith, at 8:40 a.m., on Friday, January 29, 1993, in Room 224 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada.  Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda.  Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.

 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Senator R. Hal Smith, Chairman

Senator Ernest E. Adler

Senator Thomas J. Hickey

Senator Mark A. James

Senator Joseph M. Neal, Jr.

Senator Dina Titus

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

 

Senator Dean Rhoads, Vice Chairman (Excused)

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Caren Jenkins, Senior Research Analyst

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

 

Willie Molini, Director, Department of Wildlife

Terry R. Crawforth, Dep. Director, Department of Wildlife

 

 

Mr. Molini introduced two members of the Board of Wildlife  Commissioners in the audience.  They were Vice Chairman Tina Nappe and Commissioner Don Cavin.

 

Mr. Molini gave an overview of Nevada's wildlife and the responsibilities of the Department of Wildlife. (Exhibit C).  He presented an interesting program of slides on the various species of wildlife along with the overview.

 

Senator Hickey referred to the first chart in the Organizational Structure charts, (Exhibit D), and the vacant position in Region III in Las Vegas.

 

Mr. Molini said this chart was to show how the department is generally organized but it was not quite up to date.  The position has since been filled by Mike Wickersham.

 

 Mr. Molini then went on to give a brief history of the Department of Wildlife (Exhibit C).  He spoke of the 13 wildlife management areas which are owned and managed by the Department of Wildlife encompassing about 350,000 acres making the Dept. of Wildlife one of the larger land owners and managers in the state government.  These areas are utilized by people both for wildlife viewing and for hunting and fishing recreation, as well as education. 

 

Mr. Molini talked about their Fisheries Management Program and Wildlife Protection Program being major parts of their operation, as well as boating and hunting safety.

 

Mr. Molini went on to talk about the economic value of fish and wildlife to the State of Nevada and department funding.  He referred to the data on page 6 of (Exhibit C).  

 

Senator James said he thought one of the most serious environmental problems happening in Nevada are the tree deaths in Tahoe Basin.  He asked what the impact was on wildlife habitats and what could be done about them. 

 

Mr.Molini answered that he did not know what the plans of the State Division of Forestry were in terms of how this question would be addressed, but from a wildlife perspective, it is probably better to let nature take its course rather than spray with insecticides.  Some of the dead trees will have wildlife value for various nesting birds but he did not think there would be a negative impact to wildlife from the loss of the trees.

 

Senator Titus asked if mines were doing a better job of protecting the wildlife than they had in the past.

 

Mr. Molini said that in most cases he found the mining companies to be fairly responsible in trying to do a relatively good job of environmental protection.

 

Senator Titus asked if senior citizens had a discount on fishing licenses,and would it have a great impact on the budget.

 

Mr. Molini said there is a discount for senior citizens at the present time on a Nevada fishing license.  He said the seniors would like to have a discount for an interstate fishing license and this would be a federal matter. 

 

Senator Hickey referred to the last chart of the Organizational Structure charts (Exhibit D) and asked what changes were proposed for the upcoming budget and if the vacancy factor would be filled.

 

Mr. Molini replied that the Department of Wildlife was authorized to have 203 positions in this biennium but had not reached more than 196 and their budget proposes to leave a number of vacancies.

 

Senator Hickey asked what kind of an effect this would have on their delivery of services.  He noted four vacancies for boating wardens in Region III.

 

Mr. Molini replied that two of those positions had been filled.

 

Senator Hickey asked why boating wardens.

 

Terry Crawforth, Deputy Director, Department of Wildlife, said the wardens are involved in patrolling both in Lake Mead and Lake Mojave basically as highway patrolmen on the water.  They also provide services in boating registration in rural communities and in safety programs which have reduced, through educational efforts and patrol efforts, the number of accidents and fatalities on these waters.

 

Senator Neal referred to Exhibit D and asked Mr. Molini if the function of the wildlife commissioner was advisory to him.

 

Mr. Molini said that by statute the wildlife commission is a regulatory, policy-making body that reports directly to the governor.  He also reports directly to the governor.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 a.m.

 

            RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

 

                                    

            Jane King,

            Committee Secretary

 

 

 

APPROVED BY:

 

 

 

 

                                 

Senator R. Hal Smith, Chairman

 

 

DATE:                           

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Senate Committee on Natural Resources

January 29, 1993

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