Appeals court upholds state ruling on Truckee water transfers (Nevada Appeal)

CARSON CITY, Nev.–The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday upheld almost all of the state engineer’s rulings in a case involving Truckee River water rights.The Pyramid Paiute Tribe had appealed a federal district court ruling in the case involving 10 different water rights holders in the Fernley area.

It is just the latest chapter in a battle which has been in almost continuous litigation in the federal court system since 1917.Read the complete story at the Nevada Appeal.

Valley of Fire State Park opens new camp sites Dec. 17

 

OVERTON, Nev.–On Monday, December 17, 2007, Valley of Fire State Park will open a new addition to the park’s Atlatl Rock Campground.

Twenty-two RV camp sites with hookups for power and water will be opened, adding to the existing 19 vehicle and three tent campsites at the Atlatl Rock Campground. A new restroom with coin-operated showers and an RV dump station were also installed for visitor convenience.

“This project is another example of all the good things that have come from Question 1 Bond funds,” said State Parks Administrator David Morrow. “It is only 1 out of 25 more projects utilizing the 27 million in funds we have available.”

The new RV hookups will make visiting the park more comfortable during the extreme temperatures of both the summer and winter months and will help reduce the need to run noisy generators. The new camp sites will also allow more visitors to enjoy the park during the busy fall and spring seasons. The cost for these new sites with hookups is $24 per night.

Contact Park Supervisor Jim Hammons at 702-397-2088 for more information.

Tree advocates launch new guidebook making connection between trees and air quality

Tree-planting event December 13 at UNLV’s William S. Boyd School of Law

LAS VEGAS—Shades of Green, a collaboration of tree experts, planners and educators, have developed the first free resource designed to increase awareness about the value of community trees in improving air quality.

Cleaner Air, Tree by Tree: A Best Management Practices and Guide for Urban Trees in Southern Nevada will be launched December 13 at two events.

“We wanted to create an easy-to-use resource guide for developers, planners and decision makers specifically tailored to Southern Nevada,” said Matt Koepnick, community forester with the Nevada Division of Forestry.

To emphasize the importance of trees to Nevada’s air quality, the group will launch the book December 13 at noon at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension on 8050 S. Maryland Parkway. A tree planting ceremony will follow in front of UNLV’s William S. Boyd School of Law at 2:30. The tree planting ceremony is free and open to the public.

Recreational trails grant funds available

CARSON CITY, Nev.—The Nevada Division of State Parks announced today that there are federal funds available for recreational trail construction and improvements through the Recreational Trails Program Fund.

Federal, state, city and county governments, special governmental districts, organizations and private individuals are potentially eligible for the 80:20 matching grants offered through the program. This Federal Highway Administration grant program is administered by Nevada’s state parks division. Projects are being solicited for 2008.

Eligible projects include motorized and non-motorized trail projects for new construction, maintenance and trail related facilities. Trail education projects are also eligible. The maximum amount available is $100,000 and the minimum amount awarded to projects is $4,000.