MINUTES OF THE

SENATE Committee on Natural Resources

 

Seventy-second Session

February 12, 2003

 

 

The Senate Committee on Natural Resourceswas called to order by Chairman Dean A. Rhoads, at 1:30 p.m., on Wednesday, February 12, 2003, 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, Vice Chairman

Senator Raymond C. Shaffer

Senator Mark Amodei

Senator Bob Coffin

Senator Michael Schneider

Senator Maggie Carlton

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Fred Welden, Committee Policy Analyst

Billie Brinkman, Committee Manager

Gina Rasner, Committee Secretary

 

OTHERS PRESENT: 

 

Robert V. Abbey, State Director, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior

Robert Vaught, Forest Supervisor, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture

 

Chairman Rhoads opened the hearing and told the committee this would be an informational meeting. Chairman Rhoads introduced Robert V. Abbey, State Director, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior.

 

Mr. Abbey opened his discussion with agency programs and potential issues. He indicated he would answer any questions the committee would have about any BLM management programs. Mr. Abbey said he is a firm believer that the public lands in the western United States enhance the quality of life.  The quality of life spectrum extends to those who enjoy the solitude of these lands, and to those who seek to develop energy resources to maintain an economic vitality for our country. The job of managing public lands for multiple uses consistent with the laws that are applicable to our programs is difficult and challenging.

 

Mr. Abbey’s presentation was on PowerPoint (Exhibit C. Original is on file in the Research Library.). The presentation covered issues on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Nevada, Joint Permitting of Mines, Mineral Revenues Fiscal Year 2001, Energy Production and Transmission, Wildlife on Public Lands, Healthy Wild Horse Herds, Livestock Grazing, BLM Wilderness Areas, National Conservation Areas, Preserving our Heritage, BLM Recreation Priorities, Fire Management Program, Rural Assistance Goals, Native Seed, and Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act.

  

Chairman Rhoads introduced Robert L. Vaught, Forest Supervisor, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Mr. Vaught described the various Forest Service programs.

 

 Mr. Vaught spoke about population increase in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. There has been a significant effort to increase the capabilities in management expertise. This is needed to keep up with the increase in population of many recreation areas. He reported the employee workforce has not doubled in Las Vegas to accommodate the great increase in both opportunities and workload. Those increases would have great impact on taking away from other federal programs.

 

Mr. Vaught discussed the Carson Ranger District located in the Reno area. He said it comprises the Sierra front with the Bridgeport Ranger District and goes south of Hallelujah Junction almost down to Esmeralda County which has tremendous summer and winter recreational opportunities. The most important recreational area in this district is Yosemite National Park. There are 641,000 acres of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest area in California and Nevada.

 

Mr. Vaught proceeded with a PowerPoint presentation (Exhibit D. Original is on file in the Research Library.) on many other recreational area issues including threatened species, water conditions, accessibility of forestry land, fire management, mining, and noxious weeds. Exhibit D includes a compact disc of photos of the various ranger districts within Nevada.

There being no further business, Chairman Rhoads adjourned the meeting at 2:57 p.m.

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

 

                                                     

Gina Rasner,

Committee Secretary

 

 

APPROVED BY:

 

 

                                                                                               

Senator Dean A. Rhoads, Chairman

 

 

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