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).

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.

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

Director’s update, April 2008

Newsletter for DCNR employees

Good afternoon to everyone in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. In my almost four years as the Department’s Director, I have come to appreciate the extent and diversity of our natural resource mission.

We have responsibilities for the protection of our land, air and water, the operation of state parks, fire suppression and rehabilitation, maintaining data on endangered species, allocation of water resources and the management of our state lands, just to name a few.

While working in our respective programs we may not see the big picture and the important role each of us plays in protecting and improving Nevada’s natural resources.

I have struggled to identify a way to reach out to our 950 employees statewide to let you know the important issues impacting the Department and to share examples of the great work of your fellow employees. This is the first of what I hope will be monthly e-mail to inform you of the Department’s many activities.

I hope you find this helpful, and I am interested in your feedback. Please e-mail me your thoughts on this update and how we can make it more useful to you.

Thank you for all the work you do on behalf of Nevada’s natural resources.

Allen Biaggi
Director