The Senate Committee on Natural Resources was called to order by Chairman Dean A. Rhoads, at 3:05 p.m., on Monday, May 17, 1999, in Room 2144 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster. All exhibits are available and on file at the Research Library of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

Senator Dean A. Rhoads, Chairman

Senator Mike McGinness

Senator Mark A. James

Senator Raymond C. Shaffer

Senator Maggie Carlton

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Lawrence E. Jacobsen, Vice Chairman (Excused)

Senator Bob Coffin (Excused)

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

Fred Welden, Committee Policy Analyst

Scott Corbett, Committee Secretary

OTHERS PRESENT:

Frank Cassas, Chairman, Commission for the Preservation of Wild Horses, stated that the Sixty-ninth Session of the Legislature commissioned the Commission for the Preservation of Wild Horses to prepare a plan for reviewing the wild horse situation in Nevada. Mr. Cassas presented a copy of the plan (Exhibit C. Original is on file in the Research Library.) to the committee, and explained two of his goals in preparing the plan was to obtain statewide public input, and have that public input written into the plan. Mr. Cassas pointed out that one of the most difficult aspects of drafting the plan, as well as public perception, is the wild horses on federal land are under the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government.

Senator James asked about the discrepancy in the statistics included in Exhibit C stating there is a horse population that is approximately double the appropriate management level (AML). Catherine Barcomb, Administrator, Commission for the Preservation of Wild Horses, explained that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sets the appropriate AML, but they have only evaluated 48 percent of the areas, which explains the discrepancy. Senator James asked if hypothetically there are more horses than there should be, and queried what could be done. Mr. Cassas replied that the excess horses have to be taken off the range, and currently the only measure is the adoption process.

Chairman Rhoads commented that the problem is the adoption program cannot handle the quantity of horses that need to be taken off the range.

Mr. Cassas explained that the federal government is unable to effectively conduct the wild horse adoption program, and explained the commission will fund a study for a joint private/public adoption program. Mr. Cassas added that the privatizing of the adoption program, which would include the adoption and marketing of the wild horses, was addressed numerous times in the aforementioned public comment.

Mr. Cassas and Ms. Barcomb showed a video prepared by the BLM outlining the wild horse adoption program.

Chairman Rhoads asked how the commission plans to go about doing a study concerning privatizing the wild horse adoption program. Mr. Cassas replied that the study will be done jointly with the BLM and the commission, and added that study will be completed before the next legislative session.

Peter G. Morros, Director, State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, commented that there is a bill being heard this legislative session that will allow reverted money, which is supported by Governor Kenny Guinn.

Chairman Rhoads asked from what walks of life people will be chosen to be included in the study. Mr. Morros replied that the study would focus on the feasibility of a foundation concept, which would include experts in the handling and marketing of horses.

Chairman Rhoads commended the wild horse commission for their efforts in completing the wild horse plan, and with no further business before the committee, the chairman closed the meeting at 3:45 p.m.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

Scott Corbett,

Committee Secretary

APPROVED BY:

Senator Dean A. Rhoads, Chairman

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