FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                                                                        October 22, 2001

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

Date: Time: Place:

November 1, 2001 10 a.m. Winnemucca Convention Center West Hall 50 West Winnemucca Boulevard Winnemucca, Nevada

Contact:

Linda Eissmann, Committee Staff Director Legislative Committee on Public Lands Carson City, Nevada 89701-4747 (775) 684-6825

 

PUBLIC LANDS COMMITTEE TO MEET IN WINNEMUCCA

 

 

Senator Dean A. Rhoads (R-Tuscarora), Chairman, is pleased to announce that Nevada’s Legislative Committee on Public Lands will hold its second meeting of the 2001-2002 Legislative Interim at the Winnemucca Convention Center on Thursday, November 1, at 10 a.m.  An agenda is attached to this news release.

 

According to Senator Rhoads, the Public Lands Committee was created in 1983, as a permanent committee of the Nevada Legislature.  Its purposes are to review and comment on federal land management policies and practices, and to provide a forum for the discussion of public lands matters.  The committee holds meetings throughout Nevada during the interim period, and looks to local governments and residents to provide information that may be used for future legislation or other legislative actions. 

 

“Every county in Nevada has issues relating to the management of public lands within their jurisdiction,” noted Rhoads.  “These may be unique to each county, or they may be common throughout Nevada.  Either way, the Legislature’s Public Lands Committee wants to know what they are and how we might provide assistance or support to our local governments.”  Typical public lands topics may address grazing, mining, public access, recreation, and a variety of natural resource and land use topics. 

November’s meeting will begin with several briefings about subjects of local concern to Humboldt and Pershing Counties, including an update of public lands issues, a briefing of the Black Rock National Conservation Area Resource Management Plan, and information about the Humboldt Project by the Pershing County Water Conservation District.  The committee will also receive reports about the rehabilitation and recovery of fire damaged areas, and the status of the Bureau of Land Management’s wild horse and burrow management strategies.

 

The Nevada Division of State Lands will provide an update of Nevada’s Public Land Policy. The division is currently identifying public land-related issues in Nevada and updating the State’s policies for the stewardship of public lands.  Rhoads explained, “Because much of our land is managed by the federal government, the State has an important role in developing Nevada’s vision for these public lands and working with federal agencies.”

 

The committee will also discuss the Governor’s Sage Grouse Conservation Plan.  Significant declines in sage grouse populations and habitats in Western states have prompted several groups to petition the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list the sage grouse under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act.  Such a listing in Nevada could have significant consequences in the management of sage grouse as a game species.  As a result, Governor Kenny C. Guinn appointed a Sage Grouse Conservation Team in 2000, to undertake a conservation plan, and look at local solutions and implementation strategies to conserve the species and its habitat.  “The Governor’s approach is very proactive,” Rhoads said.  “By addressing the situation early and finding ways to protect the sage grouse, we hope to improve their populations and habitats, and avoid a federal listing.”

 

Finally, the committee will receive reports about the status of federal hard-rock mining regulations, commonly referred to as 3809 Regulations.  “Mining is one of Nevada’s most important and most promising industries,” said Rhoads.  “Much of this activity takes place on our vast public lands and falls under the jurisdiction of certain federal regulations.  Changes to these regulations could significantly influence our mining industry.”  Also on the agenda is an economic overview and update of mining and exploration activities in Nevada.   

 

The other members of the Public Lands Committee are Assemblyman John W. Marvel, Vice Chairman (R-Battle Mountain); Senator Terry Care (D‑Las Vegas); Senator Mark A. James (R‑Las Vegas); Assemblyman Tom Collins  (D‑Las Vegas); Assemblyman P.M. “Roy” Neighbors (D‑Tonopah); and Eureka County Commissioner Pete Goicoechea.