MINUTES OF THE

      SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

 

      Sixty-seventh Session

      April 29, 1993

 

 

 

The Senate Committee on Natural Resources was called to order by Chairman R. Hal Smith, at 8:40 a.m., on Thursday, April 29, 1993, in Room 119 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada and teleconferenced to Las Vegas, Nevada, Cashman Field Center, Room 207.  Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda.  Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.

 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Senator R. Hal Smith, Chairman

Senator Dean A. Rhoads, Vice Chairman

Senator Mark A. James

Senator Joseph M. Neal, Jr.

Senator Thomas J. Hickey

Senator Dina Titus

Senator Ernest E. Adler

 

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

Caren Jenkins, Senior Research Analyst

Caroline Allen, Committee Secretary

Rayanne Francis, Committee Secretary

 

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

Richard E. Reavis, Professional Engineer, Deputy Administrator, Air,    Mining and Water Programs, Division of Environmental Protection

Lew H. Dodgion, Administrator, Division of Environmental Protection  Jeff C. Harris, Coordinator, Comprehensive Planning, Clark County

Brian Jennison, Ph.D, Director, Air Quality Management Division,       Washoe County Health Department

David P. Howekamp, Director, Air and Toxics Division,                  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

 

 

Chairman Smith convened the hearing by introducing Rayanne Francis and Caroline Allen, Committee Secretaries, Caren Jenkins, Senior Research Analyst, Lavonne Frost, teleconference camera operator and in Las Vegas, Bob Arnold.

 

 

Chairman Smith announced today as being the first hearing date for S.B. 347, the adjournment of the meeting to be at 10:45 a.m., and continuances of subcommittee hearings to be noticed at least 3 days in advance.  He announced that subcommittee chaired by Senator Neal

will consist of Senators Adler and Smith.

 

 

Chairman Smith opened the hearing on Senate Bill (S.B.) 347.

 

 

SENATE BILL 347:     Makes various statutory changes in compliance                        with federal Clean Air Act.  

 

 

Lew H. Dodgion, Administrator, Division of Environmental Protection, introduced himself to members of the committee and referred to Richard E. Reavis, Deputy Administrator, Air, Mining and Water Programs, 

Division of Environmental Protection.

 

 

Mr. Reavis came forward and drew the committee's attention to a blue handout folder, Exhibit C, Summary Highlights of Senate Bill 347 --

Nevada's Clean Air Bill and gave his presentation from this exhibit.

He also alluded to Exhibit D, Proposed Amendments to S.B. 347.

 

 

Further discussion ensued.

 

 

Senator Rhoads asked if there had ever been fines assessed in the past, as far as in water law is concerned? 

 

 

Mr. Reavis responded that such fines had seldomly been imposed.

 

 

Senator Rhoads asked Mr. Reavis if he could provide a list to the committee as to the number of times these kind of fines had been imposed in the past?

 

 

Discussion ensued from Exhibit D.

 

 

Jeff Harris, Coordinator, Comprehensive Planning, Clark County, introduced himself to members of the committee.   He alluded to his written testimony, Exhibit E and gave attention to a handout, Exhibit F, titled, Carbon Monoxide/Air Quality Implementation Plan.   He

proceeded with his testimony from Exhibit E and gave presentation from Exhibit F.   Further discussion ensued.

 

 

 

Brian Jennison, Ph.D, Director, Air Quality Management Division, Washoe County District Health Department, introduced himself to members of the committee.  He stated he had not prepared a formal testimony, but only wanted to make a few remarks regarding Washoe County's perspective on the bill.   He explained that his agency has primary responsibility for developing Washoe County's contribution to the state's implementation plan under the Federal Clean Air Act.   He further indicated the need for changes in the Nevada Revised Statutes in order to be in agreement with the Federal Clean Air Act of 1990.  He expounded on his views.

 

 

Further discussion ensued.

 

 

Chairman Smith introduced David P. Howekamp, Director, Air and Toxics Division, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and announced his impromptu appearance.   Chairman Smith asked Mr. Howekamp a question from referenced information he had obtained from NCSL (National

Conference of State Legislatures) stating that although EPA has

serious reservations about test and repair stations, a state can attempt to demonstrate on experience that their existing test and repair program will fulfill EPA emission reduction  requirements...

 

 

Mr. Howekamp responded that this has to be based on an existing program, i.e., the demonstration.

 

 

Discussion ensued.

 

 

Chairman Smith thanked the presentators for making their appearances.

 

 

There was further discussion regarding the subcommittee to be chaired by Senator Neal regarding Senate Bill (S.B.) 347.

 

 

      SENATOR MOVED TO AMEND S.B. 347.

 

      SENATOR HICKEY SECONDED THE MOTION.

 

        THE MOTION CARRIED.   (SENATOR ADLER WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)

 

      * * * * *

 

 

 

 

There being no further business before the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Chairman Smith adjourned the hearing at 10:32 a.m.         

 

 

 

                                           RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTTED:

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                    

            Caroline Allen,

            Committee Secretary

 

 

 

APPROVED BY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                

Senator R. Hal Smith, Chairman

 

 

 

 

DATE:                           

??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senate Committee on Natural Resources

April 29, 1993

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