Full Text
PAHRUMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE Pahrump Environmental Management Advisory Committee January 12, 2024 scheduled - 11:30 AM / actual – 11:52 AM 1. Pledge of Allegiance and Call to Order. 2. Roll Call: John Pawlak, Bill Stremmel, Robert Adams, Cheryl Varkalis Absent: Dina Williamson-Erdag, Dale Griffith Guests: Heather Freeman – UNR Extension, Tamalyn Taylor – NYECC, John Klenke – Nye County Geoscientist, Tony Holm BOCC liaison: Ron Boskovich - absent 3. Approval of the Agenda for January 12, 2024 Cheryl V. – 1st Robert A. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 - nay 4. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Heather Freeman said that UNR is sponsoring three gardening sessions later in January: 1. Tree Selection & Care 2. Creating Native Backyard Landscapes 3. Vegetable Gardens. Tony Holm found out about our meeting on the web. 5. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation of Minutes of the Pahrump Environmental Management Advisory Committee (PEMAC) meeting of November 3rd, 2023. Motion to approve: Cheryl V. – 1st Robert A. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 - nay 6. Announcements (first) Chair John P. said that he must step back from being in charge due to health issues and asked if someone else could take over? 7. Committee Comments Robert A said that BLM had released the draft EIS for the Rough Hat solar project. Robert A. stated: “I’m told that Basin 162 feeds the Amargosa River, a protected river,” so the impact of solar plants taking so much water needs to be assessed. Bill S. said that because this flow in turn supplies water essential for Death Valley National Park, a regional approach to water should be stressed in appeals to the Clark County Board of Commissioners for their help in stopping solar plants proposed across the county line. Robert A. suggested that a future agenda item could be developing parameters for permitting solar plants after the Nye County moratorium expires. 8. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation of moving current director into the position of director emeritus. Cheryl V. – 1st Robert A. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 – nay. Chair John P. said that he could no longer serve in his current capacity due to health issues. 9. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberations appointing an interim director if called for. Cheryl V. – 1st Robert A. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 – nay. None of the other members volunteered to assume John’s responsibilities, citing their own time and health. 10. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberations of placing the Committee on Hiatus if no one comes forward to lead the committee or continue with a temporary director. Motion to Discuss: Cheryl V. – 1st Robert A. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 – nay. The alternative is to become a singular group not connected with the Town. Robert A. objected to changing. Vote to Place Committee on Hiatus: 3 – yay: John Bill Cheryl V. 1 – nay: Robert A. ---PAGE BREAK--- 11. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberations to consider accepting new applicant, George H. Glidden III as an alternate member of the advisory committee. Vote to Affirm: Bill S. – 1st Cheryl V. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 - nay 12. For Discussion Only – Ongoing water sampling of Basin 162 valley floor water wells. Prompted by questions by many residents about water quantity and quality, this project funded by the Southern Nye County Conservation District and State of Nevada will assess the quality of four County wells. A local firm can work with attendees at the Earth Day event willing to spend $300 to have their own well water sampled by a Las Vegas laboratory. 13. For Discussion Only – regarding previously agreed to Board name change to the Pahrump Environmental Management Advisory Committee (PEMAC). none 14. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation regarding environmental issues in Southern Nevada and within the Town of Pahrump to include comments to the Board of Nye County Commissioners. Cheryl V. – 1st Robert A. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 – nay. Chair John P. asked that discussion focus primarily on the 2024 Earth Day event. Tamalyn Taylor said there is a problem of not enough young people attending, and suggested “demonstrations to bring kids in.” John P. said that the event should be as much about enjoyment as education, and that the Public Library has resources for children. He also said that the NSSAB meeting in Pahrump on January 17th would be a good occasion to network with younger people. John P. thanked Tamalyn Taylor for NYECC’s participation and she said that Friends of Discovery Park, 4H Club, and the Pahrump Valley Garden Club would also be there. Cheryl V. said that Clean Up Pahrump and the BLM will be there, and that NDOT would bring a map displaying roadways for adoption. Heather Freeman mentioned UNR and two segments of NV-372 Cheryl V. asked if John P. could reach out to the Fire Chief about the problem of residential burning. John P. responded that he would and also asked: “Do we want to speak with U.S. Ecology and Pahrump Valley Disposal” about disposal of oils, used gasoline and other hazardous substances? 15. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation regarding nuclear issues in Southern Nevada and within the Town of Pahrump to include comments to the Board of Nye County Commissioners none 16. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation regarding setting the date and time for the next committee meeting. It was agreed to schedule the next meeting for Friday, February 2nd, shifting start time to 12:noon. Cheryl V. – 1st Bill S. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 – nay 17. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (Second) none 18. ANNOUNCEMENTS (second) none . 19. ADJOURNMENT – 12:56 PM Motion to adjourn: Bill S. – 1st Cheryl V. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 - nay The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, February 2, 2024 @ 12:noon. Signed: Date: