Resource Advisory Council members present and category represented:
Thalia Dondero Elected Official
Dr. John E. Hiatt Wildlife
Robert Maichle Environment
Dr. Steve Parker Academic/UNLV
Claire Toomey Permitted Recreation
John Weisser Dispersed Recreation
Billie Young Wild Horse & Burro
Dr. Colleen Beck Archeology/Historic
Kenny Anderson Native American

 

Resource Advisory Council members absent:
Jerry Helton Transportation/Row (Chair)
Marta Agee Ranching/Grazing
Mark Hill State of Nevada
Mark N. Ioli Mineral Development
Steve Mellington Public at Large (vice-Chair)
Ben Patterson Ranching/Grazing

 

Bureau of Land Management representatives present:
Chris Hanefeld BLM Ely Field Office PAO
Gene Kolkman BLM Ely Field Manager
Mark Morse BLM Las Vegas Field Office Manager
Tim O’Brien Red Rock Canyon & Sloan Canyon NCA manager

 

USFS representatives present:
Stephanie Phillips Spring Mountains NCA

 

Public Attendees:
Joann Schoch Representative – Jon C. Porter

 

A copy of each attachment is listed in the text of or at the end of these minutes and is also on file with the official copy of the minutes in the Ely Field Office of the BLM. Persons desiring to review said minutes should contact Chris Hanefeld, public affairs specialist, at (702) 515-5046.

 

Dr. John Hiatt called the meeting to order at 8:25 a.m.

 

8:25 a.m. – U.S. Forest Service Update; Stephanie Phillips, Spring Mountains NCA:
District Ranger (Steve Holdsambeck) is transferring to Ogden.
In the last week of February they closed on the Allen Golf Course.
o Studies have discovered that the structures need to be replaced.
o Looking into hiring a marketing director regarding a visitor center.
OHV plan is looking to drafting a decision document this week.
Saw Mill trailhead development will be a decision by District Ranger will be signing the decision notice next week.
o Went with a preferred alternative that is part of the proposed action, but there is a couple items that will not be included.
o Concerns about reports of geocaching and paint balls. Regulations are being reviewed.

Concerns about the litter problems.
o Concerns over dumpsters overflow.
o Suggestion to place more signs ‘Pick up your litter’.
o Mt. Charleston will be a pilot program for litter removal.

Cold Creek wild horse program.
o Questions rose as to the status of the program.
o Stephanie will investigate more into this.

 

9:15 a.m. – Discussion re: Oliver Ranch/Visitor’s Center tour and capital improvements; Tim O’Brien, Red Rock Canyon & Sloan Canyon NCA manager; Mark Morse, BLM Las Vegas Field Office Manager.

Mark Rekshynskyj – Visitor Center
o See attachment 1 Round 4.
§ Five BioDomes, desert tortoise habitat, bicycle area, wild horse area.
§ New visitor center will be approx. 17,000 sq. feet.
§ Concerns that there will be a public comment forum to involve the public and accept their comments.
§ Concerns about the Native American acceptance and participation.
§ Concerns over funding/phases/timelines/task orders/exhibits/contracting.
§ Partnerships with several organizations (UNLV, USFS)
§ As of the December meeting regarding the campgrounds, nothing much has changed except running water down to the sites. EA is being written.
§ Equestrian area is under review at the campgrounds. Concerns about the smell, flies, litter and location in regards to the regular campground.
§ Concerns over the noxious weeds.

o Oliver Ranch
§ See attachment #2 ‘Oliver Ranch Mission Statement’ and timeline.
§ Concerns BLM is not going to assume operating and maintenance, school district not assuming operating and maintenance, who is? There are some actions being taken regarding an RFP and between the local government for grants and scholarships for operating program.
§ Concerns over the plans for the Wild horse & burro area. This is not to be a holding facility it is more of a marketing tool to promote and educate the program.

Hiatt recessed the meeting at 10:10 am, reconvening at 10:30 a.m.

Reminded that there are five positions/terms that are expiring.

 

10:30 a.m. – SNPLMA Update/Issues: Round 5 Nominations Package, Merv Boyd AFM Land sales and acquisitions.
Opened the comment period on Wednesday, March 24, 2004.
See attachment #5

Concerns why Lake Mead didn’t have the same ranking as Lake Tahoe. They are in different categories. The legislators need to implement the law SNPLMA for allocation.
Request for a graph of the project side that is in the handout. Merv can get one out to the RAC members.
Concerns over the estimated funding requested.

 

11 a.m. – Public comment received:

 

Billy - There is an agenda for the southern Nevada partnership trails.

 

- There being no further business, Hiatt recessed the meeting at 11: p.m.

 

APPROVED BY:
Jerry Helton, Chair

 

- Minutes provided by Melanie Peterson, BLM Ely Field Office

 

Attachments:
Round 4 Project Nomination Summary
Oliver Ranch Mission Statement
Round 5 Preliminary Recommendation
Agenda SNRTP Meeting, March 29, 2004