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).

Reno Balloon Race 2008 slideshow

The Great Reno Balloon Race 2008 Slideshow

View the slideshow here.

Applicants sought for Nevada Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Board

CARSON CITY, Nev. — The Nevada Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (NTRPA) is seeking people who are interested in serving on both the NTRPA and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency governing boards.

The position to be filled is the “member-at-large” seat on the board. Selection of the member-at-large will be made by the six other members of the Nevada Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, as specified by the Tahoe Compact. NTRPA consists of the Nevada members of TRPA.

The term is one-year, beginning January 1, 2009. There is an incumbent presently holding the seat. Board members are expected to attend monthly board meetings that typically are for one to two days during the fourth week of the month. Nevada residency is required.

Nevada State Parks’ wood sale permits available September 6

CARSON CITY, Nev. — Permits will go on sale September 6 for the Nevada Division of State Parks’ annual wood sale. The sale starts at 8:00 a.m. at the State Library and Archives building located at 100 N. Stewart Street. Permits are $50 (cash or check only) per cord and are limited to one cord per address/family.

Approximately 300 permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The wood consists of a mixture of pine and fir, some seasoned and some green. The pick-up schedule will be between September 13 through October 3 and October 6 through October 13.

Available pick-up locations will be at the North Canyon area near Spooner Lake and in the vicinity of Hobart Reservoir via Lakeview Road. Wood in the North Canyon area is in an accessible location, but four-wheel trucks are strongly suggested and trailers are allowed. Four-wheel drive vehicles are mandatory to access the wood near Hobart Reservoir.

Most of the wood is in stove lengths although some odd sized and large rounds are possible.