MINUTES OF THE
SENATE Committee on Natural Resources
Seventy-First Session
February 21, 2001
The Senate Committee on Natural Resourceswas called to order by Chairman Dean A. Rhoads, at 1:45 p.m., on Wednesday, February 21, 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 W. Welden, Committee Policy Analyst
Beverly LaMotte, Committee Secretary
Heather Miller, Committee Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT:
Paul J. Iverson, Director, State Department of Agriculture
Robert Gronowski, Administrator, Division of Plant Industry, State Department of Agriculture
Dawn Rafferty, Invasive Weeds Specialist, Division of Plant Industry, State Department of Agriculture
Jeff B. Knight, Entomologist, Insect Survey and Identification, Division of Plant Industry, State Department of Agriculture
David S. Thain, D.V.M., State Veterinarian, Administrator, Division of Animal Industry, and Administrator, Division of Livestock Identification, State Department of Agriculture
Chairman Rhoads opened the meeting by introducing the new Committee Secretary, Heather Miller. Fred W. Welden, Committee Policy Analyst, Research Division, Legislative Counsel Bureau, presented a memorandum with reports relating to topics of interest to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources of the 2001 Session of the Legislature (Exhibit C). Among these items are the Las Vegas Groundwater Management Program and the 2001 Recycling Status and Market Development Report.
Paul J. Iverson, Director, State Department of Agriculture, provided testimony on invasive species from a prepared handout titled Nevada Invasive Species Council (Exhibit D). Mr. Iverson explained invasive species are broken down into four categories: plant diseases, noxious weeds, insects, and animal diseases. The freeway system in Nevada is large and it is very difficult to regulate what is brought in from neighboring states, such as infected stock or infected wooden shipping pallets. He said at the request of Senator Rhoads the State Department of Agriculture had investigated the cost of border patrol (for noxious weeds and foreign insects). At present there are inefficient border checks for foreign or infectious species. Mr. Iverson suggested that four law enforcement inspectors in Reno, Winnemucca, Elko, and Ely be turned into agricultural inspectors, where 25 percent of their time would be spent on animal health issues, and 50 percent of their time would be spent on invasive species issues. He pointed out that imported fire ants came to Nevada in nursery stock. Mr. Iverson also covered pertinent diseases like anthrax, which has already broken out among some cattle in Reno, and mad cow disease.
Senator McGinness asked Mr. Iverson if brand inspection time would be diminished with the proposed increase of checks/inspectors and if it would have any effect on the livestock industry. Mr. Iverson responded that was unlikely since their assignment would be supervision. Chairman Rhoads asked if these inspectors would be paid from brand inspection funds. Mr. Iverson affirmed they would.
Next to testify was Robert Gronowski, Administrator, Division of Plant Industry, State Department of Agriculture, who provided testimony about the Nevada Invasive Species Council (NISC) working toward the prevention, detection, and management of invasive species. Mr. Gronowski began his slide presentation, the Nevada Invasive Species Initiative (Exhibit D), to illustrate the NISC educational program on the Internet. Mr. Gronowski stated that, when checked, less that 50 percent of incoming nursery stock had proper certification to enter Nevada. Once the enforcement was noticed, proper certification occurred in over 90 percent of stopped shipments. Mr. Gronowski described four new plant diseases in the country that must be watched closely: sudden oak death, potato wart, plum pox virus, and daylily rust. All are very destructive to plant life or crops.
Senator Lawrence E. Jacobsen asked Mr. Gronowski if the State Department of Agriculture would make an informational poster that would identify the various diseases. Mr. Gronowski answered affirmatively.
Dawn Rafferty, Invasive Weeds Specialist, Division of Plant Industry, State Department of Agriculture, provided testimony on the Invasive Weeds Program. The Nevada Weed Action Committee, formed by the State Department of Agriculture, wrote a state weed plan entailing a 5-year action and implementation plan dealing with controlling and eradicating noxious weeds. Ms. Rafferty said Nevada entered several cooperative interstate efforts to keep such noxious weeds as yellow star thistle under control. Ms. Rafferty explained the State Department of Agriculture combined efforts with the Nevada Department of Transportation to spray noxious weeds on the roadsides. One of the main efforts of the weed plan is to create a weed map for the state to better trace the weeds’ movement.
Senator James asked Ms. Rafferty how the highways are sprayed and why those particular areas were chosen. Ms. Rafferty explained that highways are main conduits for weed introduction into the state. Vehicles carrying plant stock and cars that have been off-road can easily be carriers of seeds that dislodge onto Nevada’s roads. Ms. Rafferty also said that different types of weeds called for different types of herbicides, depending on the family group.
Ms. Rafferty elaborated on the different control programs. An example she gave is dyer’s woad, a type of weed prevalent in Elko that is declining in this area thanks to volunteer groups pulling up the plants and disposing of them. Ms. Rafferty also described new weed threats, such as salvinia molesta, the Syrian bean caper, and rush skeletonweed.
Senator Coffin asked Ms. Rafferty if these weeds could have any use, like the Syrian bean caper, which has an edible cousin. Ms. Rafferty explained that this weed is not edible, nor do any of these weeds have any useful traits. Most are unpalatable to wildlife and destructive to native plant life.
Ms. Rafferty said another type of control is biological control. Certain species of insects, such as seed head weevils and leaf beetles, feed on some of these noxious weeds and have been relocated to the problem areas to dispose of the weeds naturally.
Senator McGinness asked Ms. Rafferty how the weeds were disposed of once they were pulled up by hand. Ms. Rafferty reiterated that the disposal method is different for each plant.
Senator Jacobsen asked Ms. Rafferty if there was a way to combine efforts with the Future Farmers of America (FFA), 4-H, the Nevada Farm Bureau and other groups to remove noxious weeds. Ms. Rafferty affirmed that the weed plan included efforts to involve as many people and groups as possible.
Senator Jacobsen asked Mr. Iverson what kinds of agriculture extension programs they might have with the university systems and the like. Mr. Iverson answered they have excellent extension relations.
Senator Coffin asked Ms. Rafferty how the State Department of Agriculture could be certain noxious weeds do not migrate naturally with changing seasons, and hence the state is fighting a continuous fight. Ms. Rafferty answered that if the weeds are competing with other native plant life on an unbalanced level, it is most likely a destructive agent rather than a natural cycle. Senator Coffin then asked Ms. Rafferty how distinctions are made between native plants and the competing weeds. Ms. Rafferty answered that most noxious weeds have been traced from foreign places and were introduced by man.
Jeff B. Knight, Entomologist, Insect Survey and Identification, Division of Plant Industry, State Department of Agriculture, provided testimony on invasive insects in Nevada. Mr. Knight mentioned the biological control using the saltcedar (or tamarisk) insect (also known as the Diorhabda beetle). Answering a question from Senator Carlton on where these insects come from, he explained that a commercial industry has developed around insect biological control. The insects, when well established in one area, are collected by companies, and then sold.
Mr. Knight explained the relationship between the southwestern willow flycatcher and saltcedar, by noting the flycatcher, a bird on the endangered species list due to the fragility of its habitat, recently started nesting in tamarisk as well as willows. Tamarisk is an introduced noxious weed, one that biological control has successfully targeted. The release of the insect proved damaging to the flycatcher since it eats the flycatcher’s new nesting grounds. The decision between allowing the insect to destroy the weed and saving the flycatcher habitat is still being discussed.
Mr. Knight then explained that Africanized honeybees and red imported fire ants are monitored as they migrate north from Las Vegas. He deferred the subject to Mr. Iverson. Mr. Iverson explained there have been no major stinging incidents of humans to date. He noted instances of animals being stung. He asserted migration north is likely as warmer spring weather approaches. There was further discussion between Senator Coffin, Mr. Iverson and Mr. Knight on migration patterns. The bees’ distribution is oriented around warmer, more tropical conditions. The bees will probably continue to move north until winter frosts hit. The chance that these bees will be able to winter in western Nevada is very slim. Mr. Iverson informed Senator Coffin these bees will swarm eight or ten times a year, as opposed to native bees, which swarm once a year. The bees are excellent hitchhikers, even migrating on the shells of planes and in the jet engines. Some of these bees breed with native bees, which gives them a hardier resistance to the cold.
Mr. Knight touched on the subject of red imported fire ants, stating these ants, which were introduced from the tropics, prove much hardier than the Africanized bees and have been found as far north as Delaware. He declared the ants can be eradicated if found soon enough. The survey summaries show that 5547 traps were set in 1999 and more than 7000 traps were set in 2000 around Las Vegas, in 300 sites. Mr. Knight added that other invasive insects like pine shoot beetles, Asian longhorned beetles, pink hibiscus mealybugs, channeled applesnails, glassy winged sharpshooters, and Japanese zelkova eriophyid mites are being monitored for possible migrations into Nevada.
David S. Thain, D.V.M., Administrator, Division of Animal Industry, and Administrator, Division of Livestock Identification, State Department of Agriculture, provided testimony on animal and zoonotic diseases. Mad cow disease, a problem in Europe, is a serious concern in the United States. Foot- and-mouth disease in cattle, which broke out in Brazil this summer, is also a concern. Dr. Thain stated this disease was also identified on Friday, February 16, in Great Britain. Three outbreaks of anthrax occurred in Nevada last summer. Two happened in Reno, where more than 35 animals were infected, the other in Gerlach, where over 90 infections were found. Vaccinations were given to the surviving animals once the disease was identified. Disposal of the carcasses involved burning them with napalm, then burying them with large amounts of quick lime to neutralize the bacteria. He said the Washoe County Health District, the State Department of Agriculture, the Nevada National Guard, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the State Division of Forestry all worked towards containment of the disease.
Dr. Thain averred that foot-and-mouth disease broke out in several South American countries in the summer of 2000. Dr. Thain said the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Oregon Department of Agriculture were considering importing up to 4500 replacement dairy cows from Uruguay for cheese production at this time. If the disease was imported to the United States via contaminated cattle, computer simulations suggest containment and cleanup of an outbreak could range from $5 million to $50 billion.
Mad cow disease can be spread to people, and if contracted, becomes a chronic illness that leads to death, reported Dr. Thain. Though it has not spread from Europe to American countries, it is still a concern. It is a difficult disease to diagnose, as there are no blood or skin tests available.
Chairman Rhoads asked Dr. Thain about a feedlot in Texas that was feeding its livestock with animal parts. Dr. Thain affirmed there was such a case, but there is a rule in place stating that cow and sheep by-products cannot be fed to other cows and sheep. Rendering infected carcasses into feed will spread the disease. The Texas case was an accidental inclusion of rendered bone meal into the feed, Dr. Thain said. The feed and animals were destroyed before any possible outbreaks could occur.
Senator Coffin and Dr. Thain discussed the stories that followed the Texas case concerning bullion, gelatin, and so on that also contain animal by-products. The resultant question being if these products were any safer than animals fed rendered feed. Dr. Thain responded that the USDA veterinary services are responsible for import protection. Senator Coffin then asked how the system detects products that come in illegally. Dr. Thain answered the government watches as best it can. Senator Coffin asked Dr. Thain if dementia in humans is a sign of mad cow disease, and if it would be possible to autopsy any American who dies from dementia and look for this particular infection. Dr. Thain explained the state health officials have developed outreach programs with all state physicians. These private practitioners look for this symptom early in the treatment.
Mr. Iverson and Senator Coffin discussed the illegal import of possibly infected cattle at length.
Senator Jacobsen and Mr. Iverson discussed a few, less serious, cattle diseases such as shipping disease, red water disease, and milking disease.
Mr. Iverson introduced the chronic wasting disease subject. Nevada considered banning elk farming out of concern for the spread of this disease. He said no Nevada herds exhibit any symptoms yet, but all are monitored; however, no elk will be imported from other states until their health can be checked.
Mr. Iverson then discussed coyote plague, stating there is an even spread of the disease throughout the state. There is no serious concern of the plague moving to the human population. Mr. Iverson moved to discuss the rabid bat problem, stating every year, 6-12 rabid bats are turned in to the labs for study. There is about a 5-percent infection rate in any given bat population.
Dr. Thain directed attention to trichomoniasis, a venereal disease in cattle that causes calf crop reduction. A herd with 95 to 98 percent calf crop can be reduced to less than 30 percent calf crop with an infection. He said testing for trichomoniasis is difficult and it is possible to be an unidentified carrier state. A committee will be formed from members in the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, the Nevada Farm Bureau, and some large animal veterinarians to decide if Nevadans should try to manage trichomoniasis like other states do. Dr. Thain then changed the discussion to the chicken shipping disease case. A shipment of chickens brought from Colorado to Turlock, California contained many dead and overstressed chickens caused by improper shipment. This is also a problem brand inspectors look for when checking stocks for disease.
Mr. Iverson testified on the Estray Horse Program, stating this program manages the wild horses in the Virginia range. The horses become a nuisance to the local neighborhoods by becoming residential horses, or horses that live within cities, residential areas and along highways. Once they become residential horses, the program calls for their removal. He said about 200 of the removed horses have been adopted by projects like the Warm Springs Prison Training Facility, which gives inmates the opportunity to tame and maintain these animals. The inmates are learning how to be trainers, ranchers, and livestock producers, and some will go into veterinary work. The facility holds 8 horses and is schooling 12 inmates, at present. Mr. Iverson maintained Reno gave the program $15,000 in January to double the size of the facility. The current population of wild horses in Nevada is too high in comparison to the food and habitat available. Removal and adoption is the best way to ensure a healthy and unobtrusive population. Mr. Iverson thanked the committee for its support.
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:25 p.m.
Heather Miller,
Committee Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Senator Dean A. Rhoads, Chairman
DATE: