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PAHRUMP NUCLEAR WASTE & ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE DRAFT MINUTES December 03, 2021 Pursuant to NRS, a meeting of the Pahrump Nuclear Waste & Environmental Advisory Committee was held on December 03, 2021, at 11:30am at the Board of County Commissioners Chambers. 1. Pledge of Allegiance and Call to Order The Pledge was recited. 2. Roll Call John Pawlak, Robert Adams, Dale Griffin, Bill Stremmel. Absent: Debra Perna, Mike Smith. Guests: Gerard Cote & Heather Freeman 3. Approval of the Agenda for December 03, 2021. Bill S. – 1st Dale G. – 2nd 4 – 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). Gerard Cote asked where he could dispose of unused diesel oil. 5. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation of minutes of the Pahrump Nuclear Waste and Environmental Advisory Committee (PNWEAC) meeting of, November 05, 2021. After noting two minor spelling errors in items and Bill S. moved they be approved. Bill S. – 1st Dale G. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 - nay 6. Announcements (first) Bill S. expressed concern about confusion and delays experienced by area residents discarding items for recycling at the Walmart parking lot since new procedures were implemented there on December 1st. He related the frustration of his neighbor who was very upset by the long line of cars waiting to drop-off, stating she would quit segregating recyclables and dump them in the trash. Bill suggested that a public education campaign was needed to inform people which materials were acceptable for recycling and what to expect when they arrived at the drop off location. Robert A. said that the campaign should have started a year ago. John P. suggested that Bill recommend the educational campaign to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) during Public Comment at their next meeting. John P. also stated that information about such changes was a regular feature of the “Community Viewpoint” among local programs aired on KPVM-TV available via YouTube. ---PAGE BREAK--- PAHRUMP NUCLEAR WASTE & ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE DRAFT MINUTES December 03, 2021 7. Committee Comments (This item limited to announcements or topics/issues proposed for the future.) Robert A. as chair of the Public Lands Advisory Committee (PLAC), reported on universal opposition expressed during a recent hearing on the proposed Rough Hat solar farm, as also reported by the Associated Press in the Las Vegas REVIEW-JOURNAL. Bill S. distributed copies of that article and a letter he sent to “Basin & Range Watch”, whose director was quoted in the newspaper, suggesting that solar farms should be in more barren deserts to the north, including areas within the Basin & Range National Monument. Bill S. also asked Robert A. if the County has a veto over Rough Hat. Robert A. responded affirmatively that it would require a “Special Use Permit” from the BOCC. Bill S. reflected on the November 14th “LET’S TALK CLIMATE” “Roundtable Discussion on Climate Issues Impacting Nye County” at the Pahrump Valley Museum to which members had been invited at our previous meeting, and for which Chair John Pawlak served as a Moderator. In response to calls by some other attendees for a conservation ethic, Bill said there were limits to what could be achieved by lifestyle changes, and that innovation harnessing new technology was essential to addressing water shortages and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He also distributed copies of his letter published in the Las Vegas REVIEW-JOURNAL following another letter urging that desalinization supplement dwindling water supplies from Lake Mead. While this would be a very costly solution, Bill explained that schemes drawing water from rising oceans could be justified to prevent inundation of highly developed, heavily populated coastlines around the world. 8. Presentation – Discussion and deliberation regarding future meeting locations. It was only due to exceptional circumstances that we were meeting in the BOCC chambers, due to the Bob Rudd Center being booked during our meeting time. Dale G said that the library may be willing to provide a meeting room as they must prove usage to support their funding, and our meeting would add to such usage. 9. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation to accept the application to the Pahrump Nuclear Waste and Environmental Advisory Committee, due to two vacancy(s). The applicant is; Robert Adams. Continued to next meeting. 10. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation regarding 2022 Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary positions. John P. reported on the nominations for next year’s officers received by the Secretary: Chair: John Pawlak – 5 votes Vice-Chair: Debra Perna – 3 votes Secretary: Bill Stremmel – 3 votes Motion for adoption: Dale 1st Bill S. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 – nay ---PAGE BREAK--- PAHRUMP NUCLEAR WASTE & ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE DRAFT MINUTES December 03, 2021 11. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation regarding the 2022 work plan for the Pahrump Nuclear Waste and Environmental Advisory Committee. The Earth Day/Arbor Day event is the highlight on next year’s calendar. 12. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation regarding a title to better reflect the mission of the advisory committee (Pahrump Environmental Management Advisory Committee) as voted on by its members. John P. said that the Town office was working on the change but was currently stressed in their temporary work quarters. 13. For Possible Action – Discussion and deliberation regarding 2022 Earth Day/Arbor Day event. Motion for discussion: Bill S. – 1st Dale G. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 - nay This is scheduled for Saturday April 16, 2022, at the gazebo in Ian Deutch Park. Arrangements were already being made with various entities to have booths: Valley Electric Association, Great Basin Water Company, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nye County departments. John P. and Robert A. will jointly reach out to the Southern Nye County Conservation District as well as the Nevada Departments of Agriculture & Forestry. The Senior Center will provide transportation information. There will be a non-monetary raffle for a small “GOSUN” solar cooker which John P. displayed. Attendees could obtain a ticket by answering environmental questions. Food offerings will include Chicago-style hot dogs with relish and condiments, which John P. said would be purchased at a local supermarket. Assistance from members of the community would be sought for outreach to seek participation from organizations they were involved with: Debbie Woodland – GBWC + BLM, Heather Freeman – Farmers Market + Master Gardeners, Tamalyn Taylor - NYECC Heather Freeman said that participation in the event by students could be coordinated with the STEM curriculum at the high school. John P. said that the high school has had a dormant environmental club. Heather Freeman said she would ask John Johnson of about invasive weeds. Gerard Cote suggested that local Veterans organizations such as DAV and VFW be invited to participate in the Earth/Arbor Day event. John P. responded that DAV was a more likely participant. John P. will contact John Klenke, a geoscientist, and Donna Lamm about pottery. 14. Presentation – Discussion regarding future informational presentations to the Board of County Commissioners. They may ask for our opinions regarding the solar plants. As long they are not political, they should welcome our expertise. 15. 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 December 03, 2021 16. 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. Motion for discussion: Dale 1st Bill S. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 - nay John P. mentioned a renaissance looking at smaller nuclear plants: Molten Salt Reactors (MSR’s) + Small Modular Reactors (SMR’s) He described it was “good press” but cautioned this would be a long-term development. He also said Yucca Mountain had come up again in the press. Bill S. said the fate of the centralized repository would depend on whether privately sponsored interim storage facilities would move forward in Texas and New Mexico, one of them already having been licensed by the NRC. 17. General Public Comment (Second) Heather Freeman said that tomorrow (Saturday) there would be a beekeeping class at the UNR Extension, and that soil health workshops conducted by the Master Gardeners were scheduled for Tuesday + Thursday mornings: December 7th + 9th and 14th + 16th from 9:30 to 11:00 am. These were open to remote attendance via Zoom. Heather Freeman announced that the Farmers’ Market was scheduled for 8:30 – 12: noon, and that the event was getting rather full approaching the holidays, suggesting it was a good venue to purchase gifts. 18. Announcements (second). Applications were needed from two members, Dale G. and Robert whose terms were close to expiration. Robert A. had submitted his application. 19. ADJOURNMENT Bill S. – 1st Dale G. – 2nd 4 – yay / 0 - nay 12:43 PM The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, January 7, 2022 @ 11:30 am. APPROVED this 2021. Chair