DCNR Budget Update

[Editor's note: This is an email sent in June by Director Allen Biaggi to DCNR employees.]

Good afternoon to everyone in DCNR.

To say these are trying times is an understatement. State revenues continue to be weak, resulting in the need for DCNR’s administration and budget staff to evaluate further cuts for the 2009 fiscal year as well as the next biennium (more below). These reductions have the potential to fundamentally change the way we do business and achieve our agency mandates. I will continue to work with the agency administrators to identify the necessary budget reductions while still providing essential services to our customers and regulated communities.

I would like to thank DCNR’s Deputy Director, Kay Scherer for her hard work and professionalism in understanding the extremely complicated reduction directives and guiding us through this process. It is critical we make our reductions in a logical and strategic way, understanding the implications to our programs, employees and Nevada’s citizens. I want to make this process as transparent as possible and keep the lines of communication open with all DCNR employees.

Allen Biaggi
Director

Deadline near for panel’s Tahoe fire report (RGJ)

Eight months after flames roared through a Lake Tahoe community, destroying 254 homes, a special panel established to avoid future disasters is nearing its deadline.

By March 21, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons expect a report on how to avoid a repeat of last June’s Angora Fire. This week, the California-Nevada Tahoe Basin Fire Commission is scheduled to sort through some 120 different recommendations crafted to achieve that goal.

Read the complete story at the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Governor signs multistate, cooperative wildfire memorandum

CARSON CITY, Nev.–Governor Jim Gibbons signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the governors of Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming to outline and formulate a cooperative plan to ensure the continued coordinated support efforts for wildland fire fuels management and rehabilitation efforts between all four states.

“Due to exceptionally dry conditions and a lack of available forage, Nevada lost nearly one million acres this past fire season. If we fail to adequately rehabilitate this land, cheat grass and other invasive species will replace native plants, creating an even greater risk for future fires,” said Governor Jim Gibbons. “The threat of future catastrophic wildfires caused by cheat grass and drought is not limited to the State of Nevada. In fact, many western states face similar challenges during and after fire season, which is why the partnership between Nevada, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming is critically important to our collective restoration and prevention efforts. I thank Governors Otter, Huntsman, and Freudenthal for their cooperation and efforts to address these important issues.”

Governor Gibbons answers California’s call for assistance

CARSON CITY, Nev.–As wildfires continue to rage throughout California, Governor Jim Gibbons announced today that additional fire suppression resources from Nevada are in route to provide much needed assistance.

The Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF) is helping to coordinate six Strike Teams, consisting of 35 engines and 127 fire personnel from multiple state and local fire-fighting agencies. These teams are comprised of highly skilled fire crews who specialize in both structural and wildland fires. Governor Gibbons also authorized two Nevada National Guard C-130s and two helicopters along with an NDF helicopter manager, to deploy to the California fires.