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PAHRUMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE Pahrump Environmental Management Advisory Committee January 6, 2023 scheduled - 11:30 AM / actual – 11:39 AM 1. Pledge of Allegiance and Call to Order. 2. Roll Call: John Pawlak, Debra Perna, Bill Stremmel, Robert Adams Absent: Dale Griffith, Mike Smith Guests: Heather Freeman, Cheryl Varkalis, Gina Meredith, Lauro De Salvo 3. Approval of the Agenda for January 6, 2023 Bill S. – 1st Debra P. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 - nay 4. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Heather Freeman said that Christmas trees would be accepted at the UNR Extension through January 22. Heather announced that the eastern redbud tree is the current focus of phenology for tracking climate change through weekly observations reported in “Nature’s Notebook” by citizen-scientists on usa.npn.org. 5. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation of Minutes of the Pahrump Environmental Management Advisory Committee (PEMAC) meeting of December 2nd, 2022. Debra P. – 1st Robert A. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 – nay 6. Announcements (first) Chair John P. said he was looking for a new liaison from the Board of County Commissioners. 7. Committee Comments – Bill S. recalled a discussion with Robert A. at last month’s UNR holiday party about the merits of the County purchasing ten acres for community compost. While Pahrump Valley Disposal’s main dump on the south side of Mesquite has areas set aside for composting some materials, Bill S. was concerned about possible cross contamination between sheer waste streams and those with recoverable/compostable items. An appeal of the ten acres across the street to be designated strictly for compost is to have a totally separate entrance to avoid confusion and the potential for cross-contamination. Heather Freeman suggested that people donating “would be able to get something back,” citing the bicycle collection/distribution brigades in Austin, Texas. John P. said it was unfortunate that Mike Smith was not present to discuss the issue with Heather Freeman and said he would try to arrange a meeting between them. 8. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation regarding new committee member additions. Debra P. – 1st Bill S. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 – nay John P. said he would contact the Town about placing an ad in the paper. He said anyone interested should author a “Letter of Intent” explaining why they want to join the Committee. 9. For Possible Action – regarding 2023 Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. Chair John Vice-Chair Debra P, and Secretary Bill S. agreed to stay on for another year in those respective capacities. Motions and Seconds and Votes to affirm were as follows: Secretary: Debra P. – 1st Robert A. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 – nay. Vice-Chair: Bill S. – 1st Robert A. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 – nay. Chair: Debra P. – 1st Bill S. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 – nay. ---PAGE BREAK--- 10. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation regarding 2023 work plan. Chair John P. announced that $350. of Committee funds was paid to reserve a main hall and two smaller rooms inside the Bob Rudd Community Center, as well as the basketball court outside for the 2023 Earth / Arbor Day celebration on Saturday, April 22nd. Robert A. asked if there was a user conflict with use of the basketball court for outdoor booths? John P. said he would clarify if “Field A” mentioned in the reservation includes the court. John P. hoped to resume the practice of preparing “White Papers”, but we have to be asked by the BOCC to do that. He recalled the last white paper on the subject of the drought delivered to the Town Board during its last year of existence. [ This agenda item concluded with unanimous approval for the work plan. ] 11. 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: [ action/deliberation dropped so no vote needed.] Following up concern expressed last month about designation of the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument without grandfathering the Kulning Wind Energy wind turbines on just 700 acres of the 450,000 Bill S. questioned the “broad brush” justification of tribal spiritual values extending far beyond the actual landmark in question, in this case Spirit Mountain. 12. For Possible Action – Regarding Nuclear issues in Southern Nevada and within the Town of Pahrump to include comments to the Board of Nye County Commissioners. [ action/deliberation dropped so no vote needed.] 13. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (Second) Gina Meredith asked if our Committee was concerned about Amargosa Valley? complaining about very hazardous pools and a residue of toxic dust from brine extraction at the Rhyolite Ridge project. She also asked if an environmental impact statement had been prepared for brine extraction from other lithium mining around Amargosa Valley? Chair John P. noted that our primary coverage is within the Town of Pahrump, but noted that “Environmental issues in Southern Nevada” are included in the phrase heading for a regular agenda item. John P. noted that the concerns expressed by Ms. Meredith warranted a special agenda item for analysis during a future meeting, and perhaps a “White Paper”. 14. ANNOUNCEMENTS (Second) 15. ADJOURNMENT Deb P. – 1st Bill S. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 - nay 12:28 PM The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, February 3, 2023 @ 11:30 am. Signed: Date: