MINUTES OF THE
SENATE Committee on Natural Resources
Seventy-First Session
February 12, 2001
The Senate Committee on Natural Resourceswas called to order by Chairman Dean A. Rhoads, at 1:45 p.m., on Monday, February 12, 2001, 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 Lawrence E. Jacobsen, Vice Chairman
Senator Mike McGinness
Senator Mark A. James
Senator Raymond C. Shaffer
Senator Bob Coffin
Senator Maggie Carlton
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Fred Welden, Committee Policy Analyst
Billie Brinkman, Personal Secretary
Beverly LaMotte, Committee Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT:
Kenneth E. Conley, Ranch Manager, School of Veterinary Medicine, Gund Research and Demonstration Ranch, College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, University of Nevada, Reno
Robert “Bob” D. Williams, Supervisor, Nevada Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
Janet J. Bair, Assistant Field Supervisor, Southern Nevada Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
Terry R. Crawforth, Administrator, Division of Wildlife, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
The meeting was opened with Chairman Rhoads presenting a bill draft request (BDR).
BILL DRAFT REQUEST 26-395: Revises provisions relating to carrying out certain programs in Lake Tahoe Basin. (Later introduced as Senate Bill 117.)
SENATOR MCGINNESS MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF BDR 26-395.
SENATOR JACOBSEN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR JAMES WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
Kenneth E. Conley, Ranch Manager, School of Veterinary Medicine, Gund Research and Demonstration Ranch, College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, University of Nevada, Reno, opened today’s meeting with a slide presentation covering a variety of subjects. In particular, he addressed items concerning seeding, study areas, experiment design, and baseline results. Mr. Conley also included his objectives, such as grazing protocol, plant density, and what progress has been made in these areas. Chairman Rhoads and Mr. Conley discussed various methods of seeding with Mr. Conley asserting the method of seeding on the Gund Ranch was aerial. Mr. Conley noted the aerial method of seeding on the Gund Ranch was a failure.
Robert “Bob” D. Williams, Supervisor, Nevada Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, gave an update on actions pertaining to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, other fish and wildlife programs, as well as their coordination with the Nevada Division of Wildlife. Mr. Williams referred to his prepared remarks (Exhibit C), stating his discussion would focus on activities in the northern part of Nevada. He noted his agency is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. He continued by expounding on the duties covered by his office along with management philosophy, both locally and nationally. Mr. Williams presented the committee with a list of Endangered, Threatened, and Candidate Species of Nevada (Exhibit D). He focused particularly on one species, the Carson wandering skipper butterfly. Mr. Williams pointed out several other species that are of special concern, in particular the sage grouse and the Lahontan cutthroat trout.
Janet J. Bair, Assistant Field Supervisor, Southern Nevada Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, commented on a number of her concerns, delineating several species and situations presented in her remarks (Exhibit E). In particular she noted urban development and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposal for land sales to the city of Mesquite. Ms. Bair also declared her concerns for the desert tortoise and the Amargosa toad. She was hopeful about the possibilities for restoring and conserving habitats on private properties, as well as municipal domain. Ms. Bair stated that among the highest priorities for Southern Nevada in the coming months would be to work with the BLM and others to identify possible adverse effects on surface water resources in the Muddy and Virgin Rivers. Ms. Bair concluded by assuring the committee of her continued efforts to work with concerned agencies to assess and minimize the possible effects of these projects on endangered species and other resources.
In summation, Mr. Williams declared it was his intention to concentrate on the area of candidate species conservation, as well as the area of energy development. Chairman Rhoads asked Mr. Williams to elaborate on any major changes that might have taken place in the past few years. Mr. Williams replied mostly in the areas of habitat conservation planning, as well as candidate species conservation. He indicated the possibility of working with private landowners who could help achieve recovery to remove species from the endangered list.
Senator Jacobsen and Mr. Williams discussed what might be the position of the federal government, and what the emphasis would be on an endangered species and if any might be removed. Mr. Williams declared that during the next year there would be several species taken off the endangered list. Mr. Williams noted this endangered species list would have to go through a formal proposal.
Terry R. Crawforth, Administrator, Division of Wildlife, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, informed the committee there were approximately 800 species of wildlife in Nevada that spend all, or part of the year in the state. The citizens of Nevada hunt or fish for about 100 of those species. He claimed his agency was approximately a 96-percent user-funded agency with 214 employees statewide. Mr. Crawforth asserted the majority of time spent by agency personnel was working on species that are harvested. He stated that in recent years, the agency has moved to a much more collaborative effort by working with local, state and federal agencies, and the public in general. Mr. Crawforth asserted it was his hope to institute a planned approach to activities to make sure of effective and efficient use of provided resources, as well as to reevaluate the agency’s strategic plan. He claimed the general status of wildlife in Nevada today is good, and has improved over the last few years. He noted that big game populations have increased dramatically over the last few years, with trapping and transplanting programs for big game, primarily bighorn sheep, antelope and Rocky Mountain elk, being fruitful for Nevada. Mr. Crawforth observed that establishment/reestablishment of waterfowl and game had improved as well. He remarked on efforts to implement a sage grouse conservation plan in Nevada and other states. Mr. Crawforth commented on the recently implemented predator management program, and the experimental programs in progress. He asserted there would be a request for the committee’s support for funds to initiate reconstruction of state fish hatcheries. Other plans being implemented are the habitat program and a planning process for wildlife management areas. Mr. Crawforth commended those involved with the volunteer program. He presented Nevada Natural Heritage Program – Scorecard 2000 (Exhibit F. Original is on file in the Research Library.), noting this information is used by a number of agencies. He expressed his pleasure over the discovery of several pair of bald eagles nesting in Nevada. Mr. Crawforth mentioned other species that might be delisted in the near future.
Chairman Rhoads and Mr. Crawforth conferred on programs dealing with deer and elk. They also addressed problems associated with mountain lions. Mr. Crawforth elaborated on the development of a mountain lion management plan. He indicated the numbers of mountain lions were still healthy; however, there were not as many in number as 6 to 10 years ago.
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Beverly LaMotte,
Committee Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Senator Dean A. Rhoads, Chairman
DATE: