Good afternoon.  Following is the Director’s update for September.  I hope everyone is looking forward to the Labor Day weekend.

The budget situation

Despite what seems to be a bottoming out of the recession in some parts of the U.S., the Nevada economy still appears to be in the doldrums.  Gaming and sales taxes, and other revenue sources, are still just at or below projections.  I don’t believe any decisions will be made about these lower revenue figures until after the executive branch receives FY 10 first quarter numbers late this calendar year.  Stay tuned.

NDF provides support to California fires

The Nevada Division of Forestry has sent a number of personnel and a good deal of equipment to help fight fires in California. As everyone knows, California (and especially the southern portion of the state) is experiencing devastating wildfires.  Thankfully, so far, Nevada had had a very mild fire season.

The western states have a long and successful history of assisting each other during times of need be it a fire, earthquake, flood or other natural disasters/emergencies. While there are short-term costs to the state for rendering this assistance, mutual aid agreements allow us to bill and recoup the costs associated with an assistance request.

Yesterday a news conference was called by the Governor and NDF to help remind Nevada citizens that the threat of wildfire still looms in Nevada, to ask everyone to be fire safe as the Labor Day holiday approaches and to ensure Nevadans that NDF, and our local and volunteer fire agencies, are prepared to mobilize necessary resources should fires occur even as assistance is provided to California.

Department IT security audit

The Department will be undergoing a legislative branch information technology (IT) security audit over the next few months. Similar audits have been completed in other departments within state government.  Its purpose is to evaluate IT security and verify computer hardware and software safety and compliance. I encourage all of you to work with your division management, supervisors and IT professionals on the audit.  If you have questions don’t hesitate to contact them.

My expectation is for everyone to be open, honest and transparent.  The auditor(s) will be temporarily housed in the Director’s Office, but they will be visiting division offices throughout the state.  I will share the audit results with you when I receive them.

Antelope Valley Pesticide Container Site

As some of you may have read, a recent newspaper article reported on a pesticide container disposal site in Lander County. Reporting characterized the site as “a toxic waste dump” even though studies found little to no evidence of contamination at the site. We have created a Web page which includes historic correspondence and studies done at the site.  NDEP is providing BLM technical assistance on closure. I encourage you to visit the Web page for more information: http://www.dcnr.nv.gov/?page_id=1548.

Nevada State Parks wood sale permits go on sale Sept. 12

Permits go on sale September 12, 2009 for the Nevada Division of State Parks’ annual wood sale. This wood is generated through forest health activities on State Park’s land in the Carson Range.

The sale starts at 8 a.m. at the State Library and Archives building located at 100 N. Stewart Street. Permits are $50 (cash or check only) per cord and are limited to two cords per address/family. Approximately 230 permits are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The sale will end once all permits are sold. The pick-up schedule will be September 18 through October 4. Read more here: http://www.dcnr.nv.gov/?p=1510.

Elko tree sale with FFA and Spring Creek High School begins in September

The Nevada Division of Forestry, Spring Creek High School and the Silver Sage FFA Chapter are once again teaming up to bring northeastern Nevadans a wide selection of conservation trees and shrubs at reasonable costs. There are 21 different species of shrubs, deciduous trees and evergreen trees available. Tree and shrub seedlings range from $2.25 to $3.75 each, depending on the size of the seedling and container. Contact Ryan Shane at 775-738-3454 for information.

Buckland Family Chautauqua Sept. 5 and 12 at Buckland Station in Silver Springs

Join Fort Churchill State Park Ranger Mike Dinauer and local community organizer Linda Conlin for the birthday remembrances of Sam and Eliza Buckland performed at Buckland Station. Performances will be on the anniversary of Eliza’s Buckland’s birthday, September 5, and Sam Buckland’s on September 13. Chautauqua performances will be held twice daily both days at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Each performance will be about 45 minutes to an hour long. Admission to the Chautauqua performance is $1.00 per person. Birthday cupcakes will be served free of charge. More information is available here: http://www.dcnr.nv.gov/?p=1514.

Have a safe holiday and a great September.

Allen