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PAHRUMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE Pahrump Environmental Management Advisory Committee April 7, 2023 scheduled - 11:30 AM / actual – 11:33 AM 1. Pledge of Allegiance and Call to Order. 2. Roll Call: John Pawlak, Debra Perna, Bill Stremmel, Robert Adams, Dale Griffith Absent: Mike Smith Guests: Gerard Cote, Jackie Eadie, Amy Fortin, Heather Freeman, Tamalyn Taylor, Cheryl Varkalis, Debbie Woodland BOCC liaison: Ron Boskovich 3. Approval of the Agenda for April 7, 2023 Debra P. – 1st Bill S. – 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 March 3rd, 2023. Motion to approve: Debra P. – 1st Bill S. – 2nd 5 – yay / 0 – nay 6. Announcements (first) Robert A. said that U.S. Forest Service Wilderness & Trails Recreation Manager Tamara Roswell is seeking volunteers for a Lovell Canyon cleanup on April 23rd. John P. stated that future meetings would be in the cemetery Veterans building. 7. Committee Comments Robert A. suggested we participate in the Fall Festival. John P. responded this could happen “only as a group of all committees” and “not by ourselves.” He said he would ask the County Manager Tim Sutton about it. 8. For Possible Action – regarding either reviewing new committee member additions, promoting alternatives to voting members of the Committee, or retiring resigned members. Applications received from Cheryl Varkalis and Dina Williamson-Erdag are up for approval by the Board of County Commissioners. Chair John P. said that if we keep Mike Smith on as an “overflow without increasing the quorum” while accepting the two nominations it would be because “He is a wealth of knowledge” and “We can also benefit” because as head of Pahrump Valley Disposal “He is a resource” and “He knows a lot of people.” Motion to approve both nominations: Debra P. – 1st Bill S. – 2nd 5 – yay / 0 – nay 9. For Discussion Only – regarding Earth Day / Arbor Day event for April 22, 2023. Flyers being distributed listed all major participants and their layout was approved by informal discussion. The Bob Rudd building will open @ 7:30 am. Chair John P. said that the Nevada Site Specific Advisory Board (NSSAB) will have an “ant farm” to display underground water flows. Cheryl Varkalis said the Nevada Rural Water Users Association will also have a flow model on display. The Community Environmental Monitoring Program (CEMP) will have a booth. Amy Fortin, representing the Nye Communities Coalition (NYECC) asked if her organization, the Pahrump Valley Garden Club, and the Master Gardeners could have a combined table? John P. asked Commissioner Boskovich if the County Planning Director Brett Waggoner could attend? John P. stated that Southern Nye County Conservation District is a co-sponsor of the event Chair John P. repeated to Gerard ---PAGE BREAK--- Cote who is planning an exhibit what he told the Prickly Pears: It is OK to display but no politicking or selling. John P. said he needs someone who can run the outdoor solar cooker. Cheryl Varkalis said she knows someone to ask. 10. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation of any 2023 work plan additions. [ action/deliberation dropped so no vote needed.] There was no dissent when John P. suggested that John Klenke be named “Environment Person of the Year. 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.] John P. will be seeking grant money for Southern Nye County Conservation District to test the chemistry of water at county wells PV 4 & 5 on the valley floor as well as three wells on the ridge, recalling this was last done in 2011. Bill S. said that alleged withdrawals from the aquifer by the proposed Golden Currant solar farm would, if combined with water taken for other solar projects, seriously drain the Pahrump Basin and “Threaten the future viability of our community.” Robert A. said that the comment period had closed and they (BLM) have entered the NEPA process. Dale G. concurred with Robert A. that the process was too far along and too much money was at stake to stop the project. 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. [ action/deliberation dropped so no vote needed.] none 13. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation regarding setting the date and time for the next committee meeting. [action/deliberation dropped so no vote needed.] none 14. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (Second) Tamalyn Taylor said that people are talking about going after weed and that Master Gardener classes at the UNR Extension could offer instruction on more natural methods of weed eradication than the chemicals used as an “Easy way out.” Cheryl Varkalis suggested 40% agricultural vinegar mixed with dish soap, sea salt and water: “It burns it up.” She added that “But you have to be careful because it can burn your skin” and also necessitates wearing a mask. Heather Freeman suggested using a weed whacker to remove the tops when they are going to seed to prevent weeds from spreading, but leaving the roots to keep the soil stabilized. 15. ANNOUNCEMENTS (Second) A “Drug Take-Back” event is scheduled at Smith’s until 2:00 pm on the 22nd. . 16. ADJOURNMENT Deb P. – 1st Dale G. – 2nd 5 – yay / 0 - nay 12:38 PM The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 5, 2023 @ 11:30 am. Signed: Date: