Gov. Guinn Calls For Collaborative Rehabilitation Efforts

CARSON CITY – At the request of Gov. Kenny Guinn, a meeting among local, state, and federal officials to develop a coordinated response to the devastating 2006 fire season, including discussion of rehabilitation efforts of the burned areas and ways to reduce wildfires in the future, took place yesterday in the Capitol Building. In attendance were State Senator Dean Rhoads, top leaders of the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, the Natural Resource and Conservation Service, county representatives, state agency heads, and representatives of the Nevada Congressional Delegation.

“We are in a cycle of more frequent and intense fires,” Gov. Guinn said. “We must take a new look at the way we manage our rangelands in Nevada to reduce the likelihood of fire if we are to more effectively preserve and protect our agricultural economy, wildlife habitat, and our natural resources. The northern range is decimated; wildlife face a devastating winter, and some of our ranchers may not survive in business. The loss truly impacts all of Nevada.”

Gov. Guinn is calling on the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to spearhead these efforts in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, the U. S. Forest Service, and Eureka and Elko counties, the two areas hardest hit by this summer’s fires.

Nevada spent nearly $10 million on wildfire suppression this summer. Federal agencies estimate costs to exceed $50 million. More than 1.3 million acres were burned. Critical wildlife habitat, as well as agricultural rangelands and watersheds, have been adversely impacted. In addition, wildland fires encourage the spread of invasive plant species, such as cheatgrass, which has a devastating impact on future native plant growth in charred areas.

Among agreed upon objectives of the group to be headed by Allen Biaggi, Director, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, were:

Streamline and expand training and equipment for rural volunteer fire fighters.
Concentrate efforts by all agencies for rehabilitation and request immediate help from Congress to meet these needs.
Develop a long-range plan to break the fire cycle that threatens the existence of sagebrush habitat in the Great Basin.
Increase awareness of the fire devastation to all of Nevada through a public awareness effort.