Budget cutbacks could reduce funding for Nevada’s state parks (LVRJ)

Mandy Keefer, Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort

LAS VEGAS — Mandy Keefer manned the fort by herself Friday, a job the park ranger can handle without much difficulty during tough economic times when tourism is down and visitors are scarce.

On Fridays in past years the place would have been bustling with bus loads of schoolchildren eager to learn about the 1855 adobe fort built by pioneers that put Las Vegas on the map as a way station for travelers heading west.

On this day, though, and like most in recent months, the grounds inside Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park were empty. Only a few visitors milled around displays inside a museum at the entrance.

Read the complete story at the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Public Hearing on CO2 Emissions Set for March 25

White Pine Energy Center Power Plant
Public Hearing on CO2 Emissions Set for March 25

CARSON CITY, Nev. — The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP), Bureau of Air Pollution Control, will conduct a public hearing on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, in Ely, Nevada, following an agency determination on CO2 “Greenhouse Gas” Emissions.

The hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Bristlecone Convention Center, Bristlecone Room, 150 Sixth Street, Ely, Nevada.

LS Power intends to move forward with this project. However, in light of an Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) ruling on CO2 emissions, NDEP is inviting the public to comment on the agency’s determination. Public comment has already been closed on our technical review of the White Pine Energy Center and at this time we are limiting public comment solely to the agency’s determination on CO2 as it relates to the Clean Air Act. The Agency position remains the same that there are currently no federal or state clean air standards or regulations that govern carbon dioxide emissions or other greenhouse gas emissions for power plants.

Since NDEP’s original determination there have been a number of actions, including the EAB ruling regarding Deseret Power that reaffirms our position that greenhouse gases are not subject to state or federal air quality standards. However, NDEP is presenting the basis for our determination to the public through this public hearing.

According to Michael Elges, bureau chief for Air Pollution Control, “We understand this is an ever evolving issue. LS Power has elected to move forward with their project, in response to that action NDEP prepared an agency determination pursuant to greenhouse gases. And we are accepting comments solely on our determination.”

Natural resources budget may be cut (AP)

 

Nevada State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Director Allen Biaggi, right, State Forester Firewarden, Division of Forestry Pete Anderson, center, and Nevada State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Deputy Director Kay Scherer, listen Monday after testifying in front of the Committee on Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Mining at the Nevada Legislature. Photo by Brad Horn/Nevada Appeal.

 

Lawmakers were told Monday that Gov. Jim Gibbons’ proposed budget cuts would result in limited state park operations, closure of a camp for prison inmate firefighters and an end to a commission that protects Nevada’s wild horse herds. [Clarification: The Wild Horse Commission's trust funds are running out because of the economy, which is irrespective of the Governor's recommended budget. The AP article expands upon this point at the end of the article.]

State Forester Pete Anderson said the budget cuts will require closure of the Tonopah Conservation Camp, which houses state prison inmates who help fight forest fires and work on various conservation projects. That would leave eight conservation camps around the state.

Read the complete story at the Nevada Appeal.

Conservation plants for sale at state nursery

NDF nursery in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS — The Nevada Division of Forestry State Tree Nursery in Las Vegas is open to the public year-round and is offering many adapted species for land owners in the Las Vegas area.

The nursery is designed to assist landowners by providing plant material suitable for conservation uses such as, but not limited to, windbreaks, soil erosion control, water conservation and wildlife habitats.

The nursery has more than 50 species available right now. For the nursery policy and plant list, please visit http://www.forestry.nv.gov/main/nursey_c.htm.

Most species are available in 1-gallon containers for $2.50, but some species are offered in larger 5- and 15-gallon containers for $8.25 and $22.00.

The nursery is open by appointment only on Tuesday and Thursday, and Wednesday and Friday from 9 am to 3 pm and will be open Saturdays from 9 am to 3 pm during the month of April. The nursery is located at 9600 Tule Springs Dr.

Call 702-486-5411 for more information.