natural resources

Lake Tahoe will be thrust in the spotlight again when scientists, public agencies and elected officials meet Aug. 13 for the 16th annual Lake Tahoe Summit. To be discussed with great interest is the protection and health of Lake Tahoe's fragile environment and economy.
“The health of the environment and the health of the economy at Tahoe are linked,” Derek Kauneckis, political science professor and researcher at the University of Nevada, Reno said. “And the collaborations that have been established at the Lake have set the stage for future efforts.”

CARSON CITY – The House Natural Resources Committee today passed, with bipartisan support, H.R. 4039, the Yerington Land Conveyance and Sustainable Development Act, which was introduced by Congressman Mark Amodei, R-Nev.

“I want to thank Chairman (Doc) Hastings and my colleagues on the Natural Resources Committee for their thoughtful consideration and support of this bill, which is of vital importance to the people of Yerington, Lyon County, and Northern Nevada,” Amodei said.

The University of Nevada, Reno’s Sudeep Chandra, a leading Lake Tahoe scientist who has studied invasive species and limnology at the lake for 20 years, said issuing permits for commercial harvesting of crayfish at Lake Tahoe will help improve clarity at the pristine lake, as well as take away a food source for other invasive species that threaten lake clarity and ecosystems.

More than 350 scientists, environmental policy makers and economic stakeholders will discuss Lake Tahoe and its environmental and economic future at the annual Tahoe Science Conference “Environmental Restoration in a Changing Climate” May 22 to 24 at Incline Village.
The conference, this year being held at Sierra Nevada College, features a scientific poster session and the opening of “Visualizing Change, a photographic exhibition,” on Tuesday evening followed by two full days of seminars and workshops covering more than 20 topics in three main areas:

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency is encouraging local residents and part-time homeowners to become “wildfire aware” by taking advantage of public education activities during Lake Tahoe Wildfire Awareness Week happening May 26 to June 3.

“With the fifth anniversary of the Angora fire coming up, this is a good opportunity for our community to discuss the importance of wildfire awareness,” said Joanne Marchetta, Executive Director of TRPA.

Roadside stations for inspections and decontaminations of motorized boats and watercraft are officially open for the 2012 boating season at five locations entering the Lake Tahoe Basin.
“Boat inspections are critical to maintaining the health of Lake Tahoe and our local recreation-based economy,” said Ted Thayer, TRPA’s Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator. “Through the efforts of the Tahoe Resource Conservation District’s well-trained inspectors and other private and public partners committed to the Lake, we expect to have another successful season.”

On Feb. 15, 2012, Humboldt County Attorney Kenneth Bareilles was convicted of violating his felony probation, resulting from prior land use violations in 2011.
The case was prosecuted in two days by Deputy District Attorney Christa McKimmy of the Consumer and Environmental Protection unit.   

The Copper Mountain Solar 1 facility in Boulder City that President Obama visited Wednesday is certainly impressive. With nearly 1 million solar panels, the nation’s largest operating solar facility can provide power for about 17,000 homes without producing any harmful emissions or sending any money out of state for dirty coal or foreign oil.

CARSON CITY – Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., said today he is not optimistic that Congress will make any substantive progress on a balanced budget or deficit reduction this year given the focus on the presidential election.

But Amodei, in town on a brief recess, said he is hopeful that progress can be made on Nevada-related public lands bills he is sponsoring as a member of the House Natural Resources Committee.

CARSON CITY – Nevada’s mining industry is stepping up to Gov. Brian Sandoval’s challenge asking businesses and all economic partners to help create 50,000 jobs over the next three years.

Pete Livermore has announced he will be running for a second term representing Assembly District 40, which encompasses most of Carson City.

Livermore served on the Carson City Board of Supervisors until he was elected to the Assembly in 2010, edging out fellow supervisor Robin Williamson.

The following is the text of a press release sent out by Livermore today:

CARSON CITY – Nevada ranked 30^th among the states in how it protects animals in 2011, scoring only 25 points out of a possible 66, The Humane Society of the United States said in a national report released today.

Ranking first with 46 points was California, followed by New Jersey and Oregon with 40 points. In last place was South Dakota with eight points, with Idaho second to last with nine points.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife, along with state and federal agencies, will jointly host a stakeholder update and engagement session on issues related to the conservation and management of Sage-grouse.  
The meeting will be held January 18 at 2 p.m. in Carson City at the Nevada Legislative Building at 401 South Carson Street in room CC1214.
The meeting will be linked via video conference to Elko at Great Basin College located at 1500 College Parkway, High Tech Center, Room 121 and to Las Vegas at the Grant Sawyer Building on 555 East Washington Avenue, Room 4412E.

The film "The Darkest Hour," flickering at the Fandango Galaxy in Carson City and elsewhere, is a desperate stab at making a movie. It had little intelligence, a poor cast and a lot of scientific hokum that apparently depends on audiences being to poorly educated to know when the science is all goofy.

The Tahoe Resource Conservation District has released a series of educational posters which identify some of the biggest threats to Lake Tahoe Basin, as well as what visitors, residents and even kids can do to help. Titled “Tahoe’s Most un-Wanted,” the first three posters feature aquatic invasive species, fine sediments from runoff and invasive weeds, and are free to pick up or request for local schools, businesses and other organizations who would like to display them publicly.

By John Heil
California is expected to see a boost in its local mountain economies as a result of a new legislation that now permits year-long recreation opportunities on U.S. Forest Service ski areas. The Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011, which was signed by President Barack Obama on Nov. 7, is estimated to create and annually sustain up to 600 extra jobs nationwide.

By the Nevada Department of Wildlife
CARSON CITY, Nev. — Nevada Department of Wildlife director Ken Mayer has been named a co-recipient of the 2011 Secretary’s Honor Award, the most prestigious award given by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (USDA).
Mayer received this honor for his role as a partner on the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Sage-Grouse Initiative Team.

CARSON CITY – Last week it was a dispute about the Small Business Jobs Act and whether it will create any jobs in Nevada that generated controversy between the two major party candidates for the U.S. Senate.

By the Nevada Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
LAKE TAHOE, Nev. – Plan to participate in the region’s only art hike. Experience live performances and installation art along a gentle 2.5 mile guided trail around Spooner Lake. This is a one of a kind blending of art and nature with thirty fellow hikers during Trails and Vistas 2011 art hike along the Spooner Loop Trail.

By Nevada Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
From Southern Nevada to Lake Tahoe and all parts above and in between, state, federal, local and volunteer firefighting resources have responded to numerous lightning- and human-caused wildfires across Nevada so far this year. The state has lost about 94,000 acres to wildfire this summer, which is significantly less than the five-year average of 428,084 acres a year.

By Bob Conrad / Nevada Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
CARSON CITY, Nev. — When shoppers use any reusable grocery bag — paper, plastic or canvas — at any Raley’s and Food Source store in Nevada, they will be helping more than the environment, they will also be raising money to preserve and enhance Nevada State Parks.

CARSON CITY, Nev. — Brenda Hunt has joined the Carson Water Subconservancy District staff as its new Watershed Coordinator. She replaces Genie Azad who left the district after nine years. Genie will continue natural resources work as a consultant.
Hunt earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Natural Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Masters of Art in Environmental Science from Monash University located near Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

By the Nevada Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
Each year, the National Pony Express Association re-creates the Pony Express of 1860-1861 by riding from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. Mormon Station State Historic Park is hosting this event in Genoa at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, August 26.
The national, 10-day, 24 hour-a-day event includes more than 600 riders stationed at intervals to relay a mochila (mailbag) filled with Pony Express Mail for the 1,966 mile ride.

By the Nevada Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
Washoe Lake State Park is hosting a summer stargaze August 27, 2011.
Astronomy experts Adam Kremers and Jay Lawson will lead participants in an evening of star and planet gazing through high powered telescopes. A light jacket is recommended as late summer evenings can be cool.
The public is invited to attend.
Call: 775-687-4319 for more information.
WHAT: Summer Stargaze

Local artists will be displaying and demonstrating techniques in various art mediums, Sunday August 21, 2011, at Buckland Station, part of Fort Churchill State Historic Park, according to the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website.
Sculptures and paintings are two of the several art mediums to be represented at the Buckland art show.
Art will be displayed outside Buckland Station and Buckland Station will also be open for walk-through, video tours.
WHAT: Buckland Station Art Show

Washoe Lake State Park will host a Dutch-oven cooking course on Saturday, August 20, 2011, according to the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website.
Local Dutch-oven experts Doug Thomas and John Collier of the Northern Sierra Dutch-Oven Group will lead participants in preparing appetizers, main entrees and desserts.
The public is invited to attend. Call 775-687-4319 to reserve a space.
WHAT: Dutch-Oven Cooking for Beginners

CARSON CITY – If a $490,000 grant to plant trees in Clark County public places as part of a federal job-creating stimulus project should be measured by the “greening” of Southern Nevada, then the effort might be considered a modest success.
Thirteen different government and nonprofit entities applied for 1,814 trees for planting at 35 different public areas in Southern Nevada through the grant. A total of 1,541 trees have been provided to the agencies and groups for planting, mostly at schools and parks around the Vegas valley.

By the Nevada Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
This is a reminder that Nevada State Forester and Fire Warden, Pete Anderson, issued a warning on July 8 about fire danger throughout Nevada.
Western Nevada has experienced numerous wildfire ignitions over the past few weeks posing an increasing danger to the public as vegetation continues to dry out.

Japan lacks natural resources (i.e., oil and coal reserves) and as a consequence has become deeply committed to nuclear power to generate electricity. It has a total of 54 reactors and of these, 35...

By the Nevada Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
Bats are some of the most misunderstood animals.
Join park volunteer and bat expert, Brian Buttazoni, for this informative evening program “The World of Bats.”
Learn about what bats eat, where they live, how they are beneficial to humans and how to observe them.
WHAT: An evening with bats
WHEN: Saturday, July 16, 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.