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PAHRUMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE Pahrump Environmental Management Advisory Committee November 4, 2022 scheduled - 11:30 AM / actual – 11:37 AM 1. Pledge of Allegiance and Call to Order. 2. Roll Call: John Pawlak, Dale Griffith, Debra Perna, Bill Stremmel, Robert Adams Absent: Mike Smith Guests: Gerard Cote 3. Approval of the Agenda for November 4, 2022 Bill S. – 1st Debra P. – 2nd 5 – yay / 0 - nay 4. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT none . 5. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation of Minutes of the Pahrump Environmental Management Advisory Committee (PEMAC) meeting of October 7th, 2022. Debra P. – 1st Dale G. – 2nd 5 – yay / 0 – nay 6. Announcements (first) John P. said an article in recent issues of Pahrump Valley Times and Tonopah Times and Goldfield Gazette about elevated levels of arsenic in Nevada groundwater was somewhat misleading, as Daniel Weeks, General Manager of the Nye County Water District, stated that most of the samples tested by Desert Research Institute were from northern Nevada and that “We don’t have a problem” here. Mr. Weeks stated that “all ground water has trace amounts of arsenic”. John P. said he had spoken with John Klenke “who was concerned about that misinformation.” Bill S. noted the report said that reverse osmosis filters did not remove enough arsenic and suggested use of deionized water to insure removal of all impurities. 7. Committee Comments Robert A. announced that the BLM was having a Zoom meeting on the Rough Hat-Clark solar project “next Wednesday and Thursday”. Bill S. asked Bob about the status of the companion Rough Hat-Nye, expressing concern that it was in the path of where a future bypass would run around the south side of town. Robert A. said that project was “Laid to Rest” after intense public opposition. 8. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation regarding new committee member additions. [ action/deliberation dropped so no vote needed.] Chair John P. said he “Is still looking for people” and that retired geologist Greg Doyle who served from 2011 to 2015 had not responded while Heather Freeman of the UNR Extension is “Booked to her ears”. Robert A. said that a group at the Fall Festival was going to make a presentation to the Nye County Conservation District. John Klenke was another prospect who could not be encouraged to join. ---PAGE BREAK--- 9. For Discussion Only – regarding 2023 Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. John P. said it was the last call for candidates and that the officers would be voted on in December. Bill S. said that he was satisfied with current leadership and took himself out of running while willing to continue as Secretary if no one else wanted that post. . 10. For Discussion Only – Discussion and deliberation regarding 2023 work plan. Chair John P. said that the annual Earth / Arbor Day event would be Saturday, April 22 and that he had requested the Bob Rudd Community Center because the “Only way is to go inside” while still having outdoor booths for food and refreshments. He said “If it’s really bad we would just be indoors.” Robert A. said “The place [Petrack Park] is just surrounded by homeless people.” He said the Sheriff was removing homeless people from other parks to Petrack. Dale G. asked if we could use grounds at the Pahrump Valley Museum for Earth Day? John P. responded that the Museum was not conducive for outdoor events due to lack of grass. Chair John P. reiterated his desire for “white papers” to be prepared on various environmental concerns, and suggested doing something “like we did last year with the Prickly Pears.” 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.] Bill S. said that he had read in the LVRJ about composting pumpkins after Halloween in Las Vegas and asked if a similar program could be established in Pahrump? John P. said he would call Heather Freeman since the UNR Extension has a compost. 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.] A letter by Bill S. published in the LVRJ to responding to a column opposing Yucca Mountain in that same newspaper by the Amargosa Conservancy was handed out. John P. said that criticisms of the repository project were based on a “fear factor” 13. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (Second) none 14. ANNOUNCEMENTS (Second) John P. asked Debra P. if Valley Electric was planning anything like last year’s “Community Forward” event? Robert A. said that the Amargosa Conservancy was having a “Meet and “Greet” in Death Valley Junction this evening. 15. ADJOURNMENT Bill S. – 1st Dale G. – 2nd 5 – yay / 0 - nay 12:05 PM The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, December 2, 2022 @ 11:30 am. Signed: Date: