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PAHRUMP NUCLEAR WASTE & ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE DRAFT MINUTES May 06, 2022 Pursuant to NRS, a meeting of the Pahrump Nuclear Waste & Environmental Advisory Committee was held on May 06, 2022, at 11:30am at the Pahrump Community Library. 1. Pledge of Allegiance and Call to Order The Pledge was recited. 2. Roll Call John Pawlak, Robert Adams, Dale Griffith, Debra Perna, Bill Stremmel. Absent: Mike Smith. Guests: Gerard Cote 3. Approval of the Agenda for May 06, 2022. Bill S. – 1st Debra P. – 2nd 5 – yay / 0 - nay 4. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (Three-minute time limit per person.) Action will not be taken on the matters considered during this period until specifically included on an agenda as an action item (first). None. 5. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation of minutes of the Pahrump Nuclear Waste and Environmental Advisory Committee (PNWEAC) meeting of, April 01, 2022. Dale G. – 1st Robert A. – 2nd 5 – yay / 0 - nay 6. Announcements (first) Robert A. commented about “Invasive plants slurping up water.” John P. said that salt cedars drink up to 150 gallons per day, referring to an article in the July 7, 2018, issue of the Pahrump Valley Times. Dale G. said they are “filthy trees”. Robert A. said that removal cannot be left to individuals due to the cost of abatement, but John P. said that assistance was available from the Nevada Department of Forestry. John P. described salt cedars as “very tenacious” and that after treatment with garlan 4 the soil must be covered with plastic for a second year to prevent regrowth. 7. Committee Comments (This item limited to announcements or topics/issues proposed for the future.) Bill S. expressed frustration at the total lack of any wind-driven electrical power generation in the Pahrump Valley, recalling a report over ten years ago that wind had to potential of supplying 60% of Nevada’s total energy needs. Gerard Cote said he was aware of existing French technology that does not rely totally on direction and is scalable from 3 feet to 20 ---PAGE BREAK--- PAHRUMP NUCLEAR WASTE & ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE DRAFT MINUTES May 06, 2022 feet in diameter, and which can “spool up” to avoid being damaged in hurricane-force winds. He said that deployment of such turbines had been stymied by major power companies fearing the competition. Bill S. expressed frustration at the total lack of any wind-driven electrical power generation in the Pahrump Valley, recalling a report over ten years ago that wind had to potential of supplying 60% of Nevada’s total energy needs. Gerard Cote said he was aware of existing French technology that does not rely totally on direction and is scalable from 3 feet to 20 feet in diameter, and which can “spool up” to avoid being damaged in hurricane-force winds. He said that deployment of such turbines had been stymied by major power companies fearing the competition. 8. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation regarding changes to the local environment. Bill S. remarked about excessive use of water for dust suppression during rehabilitation of an existing building in the Calvada “Eye” for use by County staff. He questioned if this was due to stipulations in the contract and wondered if future contracts for other public works could be cognizant of the need for water conservation during the drought. John P. suggested contacting the County Manager, Tim Sutton, or Brett Wagner. 9. Presentation – Discussion regarding 2022 Earth Day/Arbor Day event. John P. said it was the “Worst weather day in history” since the event began in 2003, recalling the blowing dust. In spite of that, almost everyone scheduled came. Robert A. said that “Parks are scheduled every week” so there is no flexibility to shift the event if bad weather is forecast. Bill S. commended the layout as the best in his memory but complained about the loud music making conversation with those staffing the tables difficult. Gerard Cote suggested a volume more suitable as “background music”. 10. Presentation – Discussion regarding future informational presentations to the Board of County Commissioners. Bill S. suggested a formal resolution for treatment of the three large vacant lots to the north, west and south of Deutch Park to suppress dust. He suggested that the owners should have some responsibility as if the County could find these properties to be causing a nuisance which had existed since the natural groundcover was removed in anticipation of residential development which never happened. John P. suggested Bill get in touch with the County Manager, Tim Sutton, or Brett Wagner, and also mentioned the Desert Research Institute (DRI) and the Community Environmental Monitoring Program (CEMP) run by Tom Hartwell as additional resources. 11. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation – Regarding Environment issues in Southern Nevada and within the Town of Pahrump to include comments to the Board of Nye County Commissioners. None. ---PAGE BREAK--- PAHRUMP NUCLEAR WASTE & ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE DRAFT MINUTES May 06, 2022 12. 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. 13. General Public Comment (Second) None. 14. Announcements (second). None. 15. ADJOURNMENT Bill S. – 1st Debra P. – 2nd 5 – yay / 0 - nay 12:26 PM The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 3, 2022 @ 11:30 am. APPROVED this 2022. Chair