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PAHRUMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE Pahrump Environmental Management Advisory Committee December 2, 2022 scheduled - 11:30 AM / actual – 11:48 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: Heather Freeman 3. Approval of the Agenda for December 2, 2022 Bill S. – 1st Debra P. – 2nd 5 – yay / 0 - nay 4. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Heather Freeman reported that Kurapia, a low-water- use ground cover promoted by ValleySod.com is now being used in Sandy Valley. John P. expressed reservations about uncontrolled spread like an invasive weed, but Heather said that while it does seed it does not propagate in sand if not watered. . 5. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation of Minutes of the Pahrump Environmental Management Advisory Committee meeting of November 4th, 2022. Dale G. – 1st Debra P. – 2nd 5 – yay / 0 – nay 6. Announcements (first) In response to Chair John P.´s encouragement for Heather to join the Committee she suggested that Hayley Maio, the Southern Nye County Extension Educator who began April 1st would be a candidate as would Cathy Gilmore. She also mentioned M.L. Robinson, the state Horticulture Specialist for the Extension. John P. said we need accredited people and “Lots of people have moved in who we have not met yet.” 7. Committee Comments none 8. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation regarding new committee member additions. [action/deliberation dropped so no vote needed.] discussed in item 6. - Announcements above 9. For Discussion Only – 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. When Chair John P. called for a vote, Robert A. called a point-of-order that the Bylaws provided that officers’ elections cannot be held until the year during which their term is to commence, so the vote was deferred until January. 10. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation regarding 2023 work plan. [action/deliberation dropped so no vote needed.] Chair John P. announced that $350. of Committee funds was paid to reserve the Bob Rudd Community Center for the 2023 Earth / Arbor Day celebration on Saturday, April 22nd. John P. requested Debra P. for VEA to have a booth, as well as Pahrump Valley Garden Club. Heather ---PAGE BREAK--- Freeman said that while only ten people used the shredder provided by Pahrump Valley Disposal, those who did “brought carloads”. John P. said that if we work with Prickly Pears again it would be another event like the one at Pahrump Valley Museum that was so successful in the fall of 2021. White papers were also suggested. 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. expressed concern about designation of the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument without permitting Kulning Wind Energy wind turbines on just 700 acres of the 450,000 because Valley Electric had planned to buy power from this project. Heather Freeman suggested using wastewater from septic tanks to plant trees and ground cover, “or boiled for drinking in a pinch”, mentioning a pamphlet: “Care and Feeding Your Septic Tank.” John P. recalled a 2004 white paper: “Overview of Septic Tank Installation in Nye County”. Heather Freeman asked if “we have a record of where septic tanks were installed?” and suggested that incentives be used to encourage installation of three-stage septic systems. Dale G. said it was a matter of public education and renewed incentives. Robert A. suggested one incentive would be to relax zoning to permit construction on as little as 0.7 acres instead of the current 1.0 acres. Roof water has been legal since 2016. John P. said he “Agrees that the grey water prohibition (by NDEP) should be relaxed,” but this would require one to “prove you would be a responsible grey water user,” and that it was a matter of “trust.” Robert A. questioned whether some people could handle the “complexity” of properly handling grey water. Dale G. noted the “naivete of new arrivals” and asked “Why is clean wastewater pumped into my septic tank?” Heather Freeman said that using phosphate-free soap or just the rinse water would make grey water acceptable. 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.] John P. said that WIPP is opening up a new section to receive more transuranic waste. 13. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (second) Heather Freeman said that VEA is once again engaging their tree chipping arborist service for collection of only evergreen trees stripped of all decorations and dropped off at the UNR Extension. Recycling holiday trees in this way “gives back to the environment through carbon retention.” She said cookies, cocoa and cider will be served there Friday, December 16th from 4 to 6:00 pm. 14. ANNOUNCEMENTS (second) none 15. ADJOURNMENT Bill S. – 1st Dale G. – 2nd 5 – yay / 0 - nay 12:41 PM The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, January 6, 2023 @ 11:30 am. Signed: Date: