MINUTES OF THE
SENATE Committee on Natural Resources
Seventy-second Session
March 24, 2003
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources was called to order by Chairman Dean A. Rhoads, at 1:51 p.m., on Monday, March 24, 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
Gina Rasner, Committee Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT:
Shaaron Netherton, Friends of Nevada Wilderness
Russell Fields, Lobbyist, Nevada Mining Association
Ronda Hornbeck, Board of Commissioners, Lincoln County
Joseph L. Johnson, Lobbyist, Toiyabe Chapter/Sierra Club
Joseph Guild, Lobbyist, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association
Stephanie D. Licht, Lobbyist, Nevada Woolgrowers Association
Bill Bradley, Board of Wildlife Commissioners
Chairman Rhoads requested committee introduction of seven bill draft requests (BDRs): BDR 49-1274, BDR S-1133, BDR 32-579, BDR 32-1135, BDR 50-570, BDR 51-565, and BDR 20-1312.
BDR 49-1274: Makes changes concerning provisions relating to Garlic and Onion Growers’ Advisory Board and certain assessments levied upon growers of garlic or onions. (Later introduced as Senate Bill 484.)
BDR S-1133: Makes appropriation to Legislative Committee on Public Lands for study to determine feasibility of rehabilitating Bishop Creek Dam in Elko County. (Later introduced as Senate Bill 488.)
BDR 32-579: Authorizes use of money in infrastructure fund for operation and maintenance of flood control projects in certain counties. (Later introduced as Senate Bill 490.)
BDR 32-1135: Makes various changes to provisions governing exemption from local school support tax for systems that use renewable energy to generate electricity. (Later introduced as Senate Bill 489.)
BDR 50-570: Makes various changes regarding livestock and other animals. (Later introduced as Senate Bill 486.)
BDR 51-565: Makes various changes to provisions governing weights and measures. (Later introduced as Senate Bill 485.)
BDR 20-1312: Authorizes certain smaller counties to enter into certain agreements relating to acquisition, development and distribution of water resources. (Later introduced as Senate Bill 487.)
SENATOR AMODEI MOVED TO INTRODUCE BDR 49-1274, BDR S-1133, BDR 32-579, BDR 32-1135, BDR 50-570, BDR 51-565, and BDR 20-1312
SENATOR MCGINNESS SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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Chairman Rhoads opened the hearing on Senate Concurrent Resolution (S.C.R.) 7, Senate Joint Resolution (S.J.R.) 3, and Senate Joint Resolution (S.J.R.) 4.
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 7: Directs Legislative Commission to appoint subcommittee to continue study of wilderness areas and wilderness study areas in this state. (BDR R-717)
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 3: Urges Congress to take certain actions concerning wilderness areas and wilderness study areas. (BDR R-716)
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 4: Urges Nevada Congressional Delegation and Congress to take certain actions concerning wilderness areas and wilderness study areas. (BDR R-715)
Chairman Rhoads said, after attending the interim wilderness study and talking with U.S. Senator Harry Reid, the drafting of a regional resolution versus a statewide resolution would be successful. Clark County passed its regional wilderness study bill and other counties are considering doing the same. Chairman Rhoads asked Fred Welden, Committee Policy Analyst, to explain S.C.R. 7.
Mr. Welden explained S.C.R. 7 is a follow-up to the interim subcommittee which worked with the public lands committee during the seventy-first Legislative Session. It would direct the Legislative Commission to appoint a subcommittee to continue the study of wilderness areas in the State. The program was designed to be a 4-year study. The first 2 years of the program would be through the public lands committee and involves finding willing parties to address this issue together. The committee would consist of three senators and three assemblymen to continue the study and draft a resolution to set up a subcommittee of the Legislative Commission to find solutions to the wilderness issue.
Chairman Rhoads advised the guest speakers that all three bills could be addressed as one.
Shaaron Netherton, Friends of Nevada Wilderness, gave a written testimony in favor of S.C.R. 4. (Exhibit C. Original is on file in the Research Library.)
Russell Fields, Lobbyist, Nevada Mining Association, testified in favor of S.C.R. 7, S.J.R. 3, and S.J.R. 4. He said the mining association had an opportunity to work with the subcommittee during a visit to the rural areas. Mr. Fields said it was a collaborative effort to develop this study, which provided information on mineral resource potential, mining claims, and what was recommended as Bureau of Land Management (BLM) wilderness areas. By gathering this information the mining association hopes the commission will further study wilderness areas.
Ronda Hornbeck, Board of Commissioners, Lincoln County, gave written testimony in support of S.J.R. 4 (Exhibit D). After Ms. Hornbeck gave testimony Chairman Rhoads asked if Lincoln County Commissioners knew of a statewide list of lands for sale. She replied Lincoln County is working with the BLM to develop a list.
Joseph L. Johnson, Lobbyist, Toiyabe Chapter/Sierra Club, testified in support of the three resolutions. Mr. Johnson complimented the study during the interim. Chairman Rhoads asked if Mr. Johnson would support all three bills. Mr. Johnson replied there were some parts of all of the resolutions with which they did not agree.
Joseph Guild, Lobbyist, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, testified in favor of the three resolutions. He said the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association supports the continuing effort of the committee. Mr. Guild said interested parties must get involved and actively support efforts pertaining to ranching and mining.
Stephanie Licht, Lobbyist, Nevada Woolgrower’s Association (NWA), said the association was a part of the interim subcommittee study. Ms. Licht said she had the opportunity to serve as the co-coordinator of the Nevada Land Use Summit held in 2001, which had some impact on the development of a regional wilderness bill concept. The NWA supports S.C.R. 7.
Bill Bradley, Board of Wildlife Commissioners, testified in support of the three resolutions. He said the impact on wildlife and adequate protection and maintenance of water developments is critically important. Mr. Bradley said the Board of Wildlife Commissioners passed a resolution that should be included as a part of this record. It pertains to steps that protect wildlife. He also mentioned the problem the department is having in the Black Rock Wilderness Plan to maintain the cherry stem roads. The purpose of the cherry stem roads is to be usable at all times for the public.
There being no further business, Chairman Rhoads adjourned the meeting at 2:21 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Gina Rasner,
Committee Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Senator Dean A. Rhoads, Chairman
DATE: