MARLETTE LAKE WATER SYSTEM ACT

[Rev. 6/29/2024 7:36:34 PM--2023]

Chapter 532, Statutes of Nevada 1977

AN ACT requiring the developing and carrying out of a unified management plan for the Marlette Lake-Hobart Reservoir watersheds by the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in cooperation with certain other state agencies; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

[Approved: May 14, 1977]

(Leadlines for sections have been supplied by the Legislative Counsel of the State of Nevada)

The People of the State of Nevada, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:

Section 1. Development of unified plan for management of Marlette Lake-Hobart Reservoir watersheds; cooperative agreements and acquisition of land; contents of plan. The Director of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources shall develop and carry out a single management plan for the Marlette Lake-Hobart Reservoir watersheds in cooperation with the Department of General Services and the State Board of Fish and Game Commissioners. The Director may enter into cooperative agreements or acquire lands, or both, in order to establish unified management of the watersheds. The plan shall contain:

1. A forest management program which provides for:

(a) Insect and disease protection;

(b) The removal of insect-infested, diseased or dead trees; and

Ê The program shall provide for the careful monitoring of any chemical used to control insect infestations or disease in order to prevent harm to the fishery or pollution of the water supply.

2. A fuel management program which provides for:

(a) The identification of any accumulation of fuel constituting a fire hazard; and

(b) Plans to reduce any such fire hazards.

3. A fire-fighting plan which provides for:

(a) The identification of fire control points;

(b) The employment of appropriate fire control methods;

(d) The preparation of necessary fire breaks based on an evaluation of the soils and vegetation in the watersheds.

4. A plan for roads within the watersheds which provides for:

(a) Restricting vehicular access to those vehicles which are necessary for watershed management, fishery management and water system operation and maintenance;

(b) The closure of and planting of vegetation on unnecessary roads and jeep trails; and

Ê The Director may contract with the Department of Highways to obtain the services of a road engineer for preparation of the road plan.

5. A soil erosion control program which provides for temporary control of any surface runoff and the replanting of any vegetation disturbed by management activities, flood or fire.

6. A plan for prohibiting the introduction of toxic chemicals or heavy metal concentrations into the watershed or water systems.

(Ch. 532, Stats. 1977 p. 1278)

Sec. 2. Supplemental programs and plans: Grazing of livestock; construction of new corridors for utilities. The Director of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources may develop and carry out the following plans or programs to support the management plan for the Marlette Lake-Hobart Reservoir watersheds as provided in section 1 of this act:

1. A program for limited and controlled livestock grazing on a nonrenewable permit basis, as needed, to accomplish the watershed management objectives of fuel reduction, fire break maintenance and seed planting.

2. A plan for prohibiting the construction of new utility corridors within the watersheds, including but not limited to surface or underground electrical, gas, oil, communications or sewer lines, except that the plan shall not limit construction for the Marlette Lake Water System and may provide for increased use of the existing corridor at the north end of the Hobart Reservoir watershed if the effect on the watershed will be negligible.

(Ch. 532, Stats. 1977 p. 1279)

Sec. 3. Supplemental programs and plans: Harvesting of timber; management of fish and wildlife; horseback riding; camping; improvement of fishery; natural reserve. The Director of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources may develop and carry out the following plans and programs to supplement the management plan for the Marlette Lake-Hobart Reservoir watersheds, as provided in section 1 of this act:

1. A sustained yield, forest management program which provides for periodic harvesting of timber by a helicopter or skyline aerial yarding system.

2. A fish and wildlife management program which provides for:

(a) The maintenance and improvement of wildlife habitats;

(b) The introduction of new species of fish or wildlife which are compatible with the watersheds and the Marlette Lake Water System; and

3. An equestrian program which provides for limited use on a permit basis.

4. An overnight, backpack camping program which provides for limited use at established campsites on a permit basis, if trails and sanitation facilities can be constructed which do not adversely affect water quality.

5. A plan for improving the fishery at Marlette Lake, to be prepared in cooperation with the state board of fish and game commissioners, including the establishment of a minimum water level for the lake which is compatible with municipal water needs, fishery needs and other limitations provided by law, and a plan to permit limited fishing at Hobart Reservoir, including restrictions on numbers of fishermen, length of season and quantity and size of catch.

6. A plan to establish a natural reserve at Marlette Lake for research, educational and recreational purposes.

(Ch. 532, Stats. 1977 p. 1279)

Sec. 4. Plan for management to be based on study of watershed by Division of Forestry; time for development of plan; plans and programs to be submitted to Legislative Commission. The management plan for the Marlette Lake-Hobart Reservoir watersheds, as provided for in section 1 of this act, shall be based on the Marlette-Hobart watershed study by the division of forestry of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, dated December 30, 1976, and shall be developed by July 1, 1978. This plan, and any supporting or supplementary plans developed pursuant to sections 2 and 3 of this act, shall be submitted to the Legislative Commission before being carried into effect.

(Ch. 532, Stats. 1977 p. 1280)