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.

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.”

Fuels reduction continuing on Nevada state urban parcels in the Lake Tahoe Basin

LAKE TAHOE, Nev.–The Nevada Division of State Lands is continuing fuels reduction work on state-owned, urban parcels on the eastern side of the Lake Tahoe basin. Work consists primarily of brush removal and the thinning of smaller diameter trees in residential areas of Washoe and Douglas counties.

“Reducing hazardous fuel is our primary objective as most of the state-owned parcels are in residential neighborhoods,” said Jim Lawrence, Division of State Lands’ administrator. “We are fulfilling our responsibilities as owners of these parcels.”

Fire restrictions implemented in Western Nevada

Drought conditions, increasing daytime temperatures and high winds have prompted the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City District Office, the Carson and Bridgeport Ranger Districts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, and the Nevada Division of Forestry’s Sierra Forest Fire Protection District to announce the implementation of fire restrictions Tuesday, July 1, 2008, and lasting until further notice.

Vegetation in western Nevada and eastern California has dried out significantly since receiving only about 50-percent of normal snowfall last winter. A large crop of grass and brush is evident at lower elevations and trees and other forest vegetation at higher elevations are quickly drying out. The public is encouraged to safely enjoy the public lands, bearing in mind that the recent Martis, Waterfall, Andrew and Hawken fires were all human-caused.

Motorists are advised to be careful when driving off-road, because hot exhaust systems can ignite dry grasses. The potential for another devastating fire during the summer is very real. Report fires to the Interagency Dispatch Center, Minden, Nevada,   (775) 883-5995, or dial 911.