September 2008 Director’s update

Good morning to everyone in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. I hope you all had a great summer. I know I am looking forward to those magnificent Nevada fall days.

After months of preparation, DCNR’s biennial budget (it begins July 1, 2009 and ends June 30, 2011) has been submitted to the budget office. Given Nevada’s economic situation, the development of this budget has been nothing like I have experienced in my 27 plus years in state government. With the hard work and cooperation of the division administrators and agency budget staff we were able to meet our reduction targets. They will deeply impact our programs. The division administrators have been very creative in modifying the way we do business and how we provide services to our clients…the citizens and visitors of our state. We are only in the beginning stages of the process. We will now work with the Budget Office and the Governor’s Office as they craft a final budget to present to the 2009 session of the Nevada Legislature.

I would like to recognize Deputy Director Kay Scherer for the work she put into DCNR’s biennial budget. Kay is a master tactician and strategist and worked with all of the programs to ensure the impacts of the reductions were minimized. Great work Kay!

Brownfields loan clears the way for redevelopment

The cleanup of environmental contamination at a future retail site on the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony was completed using a $950,000 loan from the State of Nevada Brownfields Program, made possible by a $2 million grant from Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP).

Governor Appoints Members to Panel Overseeing Implementation of Fire Commission Report

CARSON CITY, Nev. –- Fulfilling one of the recommendations of the California-Nevada Tahoe Basin Fire Commission, Governor Jim Gibbons today announced the appointment of three Nevadans to oversee implementation of the commission’s work.

Appointed are former Tahoe Regional Planning Agency member Coe Swobe, Nevada State Forester Pete Anderson and Glenbrook Homeowners Association president A.J. “Bud” Hicks, who also served on the fire commission.

“These three individuals have a diverse array of expertise on issues affecting the Tahoe Basin,” Gibbons said. “I know that each is committed to protecting the basin from catastrophic wildfire, supports the recommendations of the fire commission and will be diligent in ensuring the commission’s recommendations are implemented.”

High Desert Council gets federal funds for new projects in southern Nevada

LAS VEGAS — Laurelle Hughes, president, High Desert Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc., and Ron Davidson, acting state conservationist for the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Nevada, have signed an agreement to partner on five new projects in southern Nevada.

The five projects will stimulate economic development and increase conservation efforts in southern Nevada. “We’re really excited about these new opportunities to help our rural areas,” said Hughes. “The projects will create jobs and make the areas better places to live.”

Director’s Update August 2008

Allen Biaggi, director of the Nevada Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources

Good afternoon to everyone in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Following is the Director’s Office update for August. I hope you are having a great summer.

Sand Harbor’s heroic lifeguards

Three of State Park’s seasonal lifeguards had their training tested in late July. Samuel Lawrence, Alisa Johansson and Dennis Sanders rescued two people from the icy waters of Lake Tahoe at Sand Harbor. One person died in this incident; however, the quick work of Sand Harbor’s lifeguards was instrumental in preventing further tragedy.

I would like to personally commend all of Sand Harbor’s on-duty lifeguards on their response in this situation.

The passing of a Forestry employee

I am sad to report that the Nevada Division of Forestry lost one of its seasonal firefighters recently. Nate Manca had been with NDF as a seasonal for four years. Nate was a top-notch employee who will be dearly missed. NDF held a very moving memorial and tribute to Nate on July 31 at Washoe Lake State Park. It was well attended by Nate’s family and his coworkers. Please keep Nate and his family in your thoughts.