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From YouTube: 5/6/2021 - Senate Committee on Natural Resources
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A
Good
afternoon,
the
senate
committee
on
natural
resources
will
now
come
to
order,
welcome
to
those
in
carson
city
online
and
by
phone,
seeing
that
most
of
our
members
are
present
and
we've
reached
quorum
for
the
record
or
secretary.
Please
mark
senator
brooks
excuse
for
right
now,
he's
running
a
little
bit
late,
so
members
and
presenters,
please
mute
your
microphone
when
you
are
not
speaking
and
now
that
we're
in
the
committee
room
please
meet
any
cell
phones
or
any
other
electronic
devices
for
all
individuals
present
in
our
meeting
room.
A
A
A
This
includes
registering
to
participate
in
a
committee
meeting
through
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system
on
nellis
or
in
selecting
your
preferred
method
for
participation,
submitting
written
testimony
to
the
committee's
email
address,
sharing
your
opinion
via
the
legislature's
opinion,
application
on
nellis
and
viewing
committee
meetings
online
through
nellis
or
on
the
legislature's
youtube
channel
to
testify
on
a
bill
or
provide
public
comment
during
the
2021
legislative
session.
Members
of
the
public
must
first
register
for
the
meeting
that
you'd
like
to
participate
in
and
detail.
A
Testimony
and
public
comment
may
be
limited
due
to
time
constraints
and
when
you
are
on
the
phone
line,
please
pay
attention
to
which
bill
is
being
considered
when
in
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production
services,
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you,
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yourself
if
you
need
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assistance
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notification
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committee's
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and
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always
feel
free
to
please
contact
our
committee
manager.
A
Today
the
committee
will
be
hearing
four
assembly
bills,
we
have
ab-85
ab-97,
ab-171
and
agr4
and
we'll
also
be
holding
a
work
session
on
ab6,
abc
52
and
ab-72.
A
We
were
planning
to
start
with
the
work
session,
but
seeing
that
we
don't
have
all
our
members
at
this
time
we're
going
to
go
ahead
and
switch
for
now
to
do
assembly
bill
85,
so
I'll
go
ahead
and
open
the
hearing
on
assembly
bill
85.
This
measure
revises
provisions
relating
to
knoxville
noxious
weeds.
A
B
Thank
you,
chair
donate
and
the
senate
committee
on
natural
resources
always
good
to
be
here.
I
am
I'm
here
to
present
ab-85,
which
came
out
of
the
committee
on
wildfires
during
last
interim.
B
So,
as
we
all
know,
cheatgrass
is
a
major
issue
in
northern
nevada.
Since
its
introduction
in
1906
it
has
overtaken
the
sagebrush
sea
and
now
dominates
roughly
20
million
acres
in
the
great
basin
and
the
impacts
of
the
spread
of
cheatgrass
are
several
first.
It
replaces
sagebrush
that
sage
grouse
rely
upon
for,
among
other
things,
migration
corridors.
B
It
also
fuels
wildfires
such
as
we
saw
in
2018
in
the
massive
martin
fire,
and
it
has
also
undermined
the
sagebrush
sea,
a
historic
landscape
in
northern
nevada.
However,
there
are
ongoing
efforts
to
hold
it
back.
However,
we
know
that
in
areas
where
cheap
grass
is
a
in
a
monoculture,
those
areas
are
probably
not
savable,
but
other
areas
could
be
the
invasive
plant
and
noxious
weeds
program
is
run
by
the
nevada
department
of
agriculture
and
it
sets
lists
of
plants
that
are
designated
as
noxious
weeds.
B
B
B
And
then,
in
the
last
few
weeks
there
has
been
a
friendly
amendment
that
has
come
from
the
nevada
department
of
transportation.
B
That
would
require
the
state
quarantine
officer
if
they
were
going
to
take
advantage
of
this
designation
to
consult
with
the
governing
bodies
and
administrative
entities
with
the
jurisdiction
in
these
public
rights
of
way,
that's
the
entire
gist
of
the
bill.
I
am
more
than
happy
to
answer
any
questions
the
committee
may
have
and
thank
you
very.
C
Excuse
me
thank
you,
mr
chair,
and,
and
I
guess
I'm
just
a
little
bit
nervous
about
you
know
if,
at
the
point
it
is
impractical,
impractical
to
try
and
control
it.
I
I
guess
I'm
a
little
nervous
about
designating
it
as
a
noxious
weed,
but
I
guess
the
the
language
in
there
that
you
could
actually
take
out
some
specific
geographic
areas
and
and
really
focus
on
that
might
make
it
controllable.
C
B
That
do
not
that
quite
that
amount
that
spread
of
cheatgrass
and
other
weeds
in
there,
and
so
this
would
allow
the
state
quarantine
officer
if
they
decided
that
this
was
actually
a
feasible
project
to
to
designate
them.
But
again
just
in
these
specific
areas,
and
only
in
coordination
with
any
agency
that
might
be
affected
by
that
designation.
B
Heidi
swank
for
the
record,
thank
you
senator.
I
believe
we
do
have
someone
from
the
department
of
agriculture
who
could
answer
that
question
for
us.
If
you
would
like
I
I
am.
I
I'm
not
unsure,
I'm
not
sure
of
the
exact
regulation.
E
I'm
not
prepared
to.
E
F
G
A
Thank
you,
senator
garcia,
any
other
question
before
we
proceed
and
let
the
record
reflect
that
senator
brooks
is
now
present.
Okay,
I
don't
see
any
other
questions
on
this
bill,
so
let's
go
ahead
and
proceed
to
testimony
so,
first
as
a
reminder
we'll
be
limiting
all
testifiers
for
two
minutes.
Each
and
testifiers
are
encouraged
to
submit
more
to
summarize
their
positions
and
some
more
comprehensive
testimony
in
writing.
Is
there
anyone
in
this
room
looking
to
testify
in
support
on
ab85,
seeing
none
bps?
H
A
Thank
you
so
much
vps
next
we'll
go
to
testimony
in
opposition.
Is
there
anyone
in
a
room
wishing
to
testify
in
opposition,
seeing
none
bps?
Is
there
anyone
in
on
the
phone
line
which
new
testify
in
opposition
to
ab-85.
A
H
F
F
A
Thank
you
so
much
and
it's
always
a
pleasure
to
see
you
again
I'll,
go
ahead
and
close
the
hearing
on
ab-85
and
again,
the
committee
will
not
be
taking
any
action
today,
but
I
may
bring
it
back
for
a
future
work
session,
seeing
that
we
have
all
our
committee
members
at
this
time,
I'll
go
ahead
and
pivot
towards
getting
the
work
session
in
and
out
of
the
way.
A
All
right,
so,
with
this
work
session,
I
would
like
to
remind
everyone
that
we
will
not
be
taking
testimony
at
the
work
session.
However,
I
may
call
on
someone
as
necessary
to
answer
any
questions
from
the
committee
members.
Let's
start
with
assembly
bill
six
we
which
revises
provisions
governing
an
application
for
a
temporary
change
relating
to
appropriate
water.
Our
policy
analyst
jennifer
rudy
will
walk
us
through
the
work
session.
So
ms
rudy,
please
proceed.
G
Thank
you,
chair
donalte.
This
is
jennifer
rudy
committee
policy,
analyst
assembly
bill
6,
provides
that
a
person
may
file
a
written
protest
against
the
granting
of
an
application
for
a
temporary
change
to
the
place
of
diversion
manner
of
use
or
place
of
use
of
water
already
appropriated,
and
that
the
state
engineer
may
hold
a
hearing
in
accordance
with
procedures
set
forth
in
existing
law.
There
are
no
amendments
for
consideration
for
this
measure.
Thank
you.
A
Thank
you
so
much
miss
rudy
and
just
to
let
the
committee
members
know
we
do
have
member
representatives
from
the
division
of
water
resources.
If
we
have
any
questions,
does
anyone
have
any
questions?
A
I
don't
see
any
so
I'll
go
ahead
and
entertain
a
motion
to
do
pass.
Ab6
we
have
a
motion
from
senator
weister
scheible
and
the
second
from
senator
brooks.
Is
there
any
discussion?
A
Be
none
all
those
in
favor,
please
say
aye
any
opposed,
please
say,
nay,
motion
carries.
I
will
go
ahead
and
assign
this
to
advisor
schedule.
Thank
you
all
right
assembly
bill
52
is
next,
which
makes
various
changes
related
to
the
land
use
planning
advisory
council.
Mr
rudy,
please
proceed.
G
Thank
you,
chair
donate.
This
is
jennifer
rudy
committee
policy,
analyst
assembly
bill
52,
adds
to
the
land,
use
planning
advisory
council,
one
voting
member
appointed
by
the
nevada,
indian
commission
and
one
non-voting
member
appointed
by
the
nevada
league
of
cities
and
municipalities
or
its
successor
organization.
G
The
bill
also
requires
the
advisory
council
to
advise
any
federal
or
state
agency
or
local
government
on
land
use,
planning
and
policy
assist
and
advise
in
the
resolution
of
inconsistencies
in
land
use
plans,
if
requested
and
make
recommendations
related
to
areas
of
critical
environmental
concern.
Finally,
in
addition
to
the
other
provisions,
the
bill
changes
the
minimum
period
required
in
existing
law
for
notice
of
certain
public
hearings
of
the
advisory
council
by
publication
and
newspapers
from
20
days
to
10
days
before
the
hearing.
G
A
Thank
you
so
much
miss
rudy
and
we
also
have
representatives
from
the
division
of
state
lands.
If
we
have
any
questions
so
committee
members,
any
questions
seeing
none
I'll
go
ahead
and
entertain
a
motion
to
amend
and
do
pass
as
amended
ab52.
A
We
have
a
motion
from
vice
chris
hybel
and
the
second
from
senator
brooks
any
discussion
on
the
motion.
Seeing
none
all
those
in
favor,
please
say
aye.
Any
opposed
motion
carries
I'll,
go
ahead
and
give
this
to
senator
hansen.
If
that's
okay,
thank
you,
sir
okay
and
last
but
not
least,
we
have
assembly
bill
72,
which
revises
provisions
relating
to
the
state
board
on
geographic
names.
Miss
rudy,
please
proceed.
G
Thank
you,
chair
donate.
This
is
jennifer
rudy
committee
policy,
analyst
assembly
bill
72,
adds
a
representative
of
the
nevada
indian
commission.
As
a
voting
member
of
the
nevada
state
board
on
geographic
names,
the
bill
also
removes
the
state
resident
cartographer
as
the
board's
executive
secretary
and
requires
the
voting
members
of
the
board
to
select
the
person
to
serve
in
this
position.
Lastly,
the
bill
clarifies
that
the
chair
and
vice
chair
are
designated
from
among
the
voting
members
of
the
board
and
that
the
vice
chair
presides
in
the
absence
of
the
chair.
C
A
F
We're
told
in
the
previous
sentence
that
the
executive
secretary
is
a
non-voting
member
of
the
board
in
order
to
have
that
provision
read
in
conjunction
with
the
subsection
one.
We
were
told
that
all
of
the
voting
members
well
that
they're
voting
members.
I
would
argue
that
then,
when
they
select,
the
executive
secretary
has
to
be.
F
A
C
No,
if
I
may,
mr
chair,
I
was
looking
for
the
executive
secretary,
which
it
wasn't
really
clear.
I
didn't
know
if
that
became
one
if
you
selected
from
the
12
and
that
way
it
would
make
it
an
11-member
board.
Otherwise,
you've
got
12-member
boards
subject
to
tie.
You
know
those
things,
so
I
it
wasn't
real
clear.
We
talked
about
it
in
the
committee
hearing,
but
I
think
what
the
legal
opinion
is
that
the
12
our
voting
members
and
they
would
in
fact
select
an
executive
secretary
who
is
a
non-voting
member.
J
A
Right,
so
thank
you
for
your
comment.
Ma'am
all
right
committee
members.
Do
we
have
any
other
questions,
seeing
no
questions
I'll,
go
ahead
and
entertain
a
motion
to
do
past
ap
72..
A
We
have
a
motion
from
vice
chair
tribal
to
do
pass.
Ab72.
Do
I
have
a
second
second
by
senator
brooks?
Is
there
any
discussion
on
the
motion?
All
those
in
favor,
please
say
aye
any
oppose
motion
carries
I'll
go
ahead
and
give
this
to
senator
brooks
if
it's
okay.
Thank
you,
sir.
All
right,
let's
go
ahead
and
go
back
in
order.
Let's
start
with.
A
We'll
go
ahead
and
start
with
assembly
bullet
97,
so
I'll
go
ahead
and
open
the
hearing
on
that
bill.
This
measure
revises
provisions
governing
toxic
chemicals.
Today
we
have
assemblyman
watts.
So
whenever
you're
ready,
please.
K
K
Thank
you
very
much.
Chair,
donate
members
of
the
committee
for
the
record,
I'm
howard
watts,
representing
assembly,
district
15
in
clark
county
and
I'm
glad
to
present
assembly
bill
97
for
your
consideration
today,
which
addresses
certain
toxic
chemicals,
particularly
those
that
impact
our
firefighters,
pfos
short
for
per
and
poly
fluorinated
alkyl
substances
are
chemicals
that
are
used
to
make
products
grease
proof
or
waterproof
and
they're
found
in
a
wide
range
of
products
from
cookware
food,
packaging,
apparel,
carpets
and
fire
fighting
foams.
K
K
K
Additionally,
the
division
of
environmental
protection
secured
a
grant
to
develop
a
pfas
action
plan.
They
are
actively
working
to
monitor
pollution
across
the
state
and
address
the
contamination
at
our
dod
sites,
and
they
do
have
currently
the
authority
to
address
contaminants
of
concern
at
high
levels
even
before
those
drinking
water
standards
are
set.
K
So
ab-97
really
seeks
to
to
complement
that
federal
action
and
and
build
upon
it
section.
Seven
through
fourteen
point.
Five
of
the
bill
take
addition.
Additional
action
on
these
classes
of
chemicals,
section
12
specifically
prevents
the
use
of
firefighting
foam
that
contains
these
chemicals
from
being
used
in
training
in
order
to
minimize
firefighter
exposure
and
limits
their
use
in
testing.
K
While
these
substances
increase
the
time
for
ignition
and
combustion
and
provide
a
critical
life-saving
window
when
fires
break
out,
they
add
to
the
toxins
present
in
the
smoke
that
firefighters
and
others
are
exposed
to,
and
they
could
also
leech
out
of
some
consumer
products.
Putting
our
families
at
risk.
K
A
L
Thank
you
so
much
and
I
I
do
appreciate
the
goals
of
the
bill
and
I
think
that
it's
important
for
public
health,
obviously
we're
not
a
money
committee,
but
there
is
a
hefty
fiscal
note
on
this
bill.
Has
that
been
changed
with
the
amendments
made
on
the
assembly
side?
One
of
the
reasons
I'm
asking
is.
I
know
it
also
didn't
go
through
assembly
ways
and
means.
K
Thank
you
very
much
for
the
question.
Senator
scheible
through
you,
mr
chair,
to
the
senator
howard
watts,
for
the
record.
Yes,
so
the
fiscal
note
that
was
submitted
was
based
on
the
bill
as
originally
written
in
its
first
reprint.
The
bill.
No
longer
has
any
fiscal
note,
so
that
was
removed.
That's
why
the
bill
did
not
go
to
ways
and
means
and
is
before
you
today.
L
Do
you
have-
and
you
may
have
mentioned
this
in
your
presentation-
I
was
busy
trying
to
figure
out
how
to
spell
polyfluoroplast.
Do
you
have
a
sense
for
how
common
these
these
firefighting
agents
are
like
I'm
just
trying
to
get
a
sense
for?
Are
we
talking
every
agency
in
the
state
has
to
change
its
standard
operations?
Are
we
talking
about
a
couple
of
agencies
or
every
agency,
but
only
in
a
couple
of
circumstances?
Do
they
even
use
these.
K
Thank
you
for
that
question.
Howard
watts,
for
the
record.
Others
can
probably
speak
with
more
accuracy
to
that.
What
I
can
say
is
that
these
fire
fighting
foams
are
meant
for
particularly
fuel
fires,
so
there
are
certain
circumstances
where
these
type
of
extinguishing
materials
are
used
versus
others.
For
example.
I
don't
think
this
foam
is
like
what
you
would
find
in
a
typical
fire
extinguisher
in
a
home,
so
yeah
yeah.
K
I
would
say
that
there
are
there
it's
substances
that
are
used
in
specific
facilities
and
are
on
hand
to
deal
with
specific
types
of
fires
that
that
we
would
be
looking
at
addressing
with
the
the
firefighting
film
provisions
of
this
bill.
K
A
Thank
you
so
much
assemblyman
watts.
Any
questions
from
the
committee
members.
A
I
don't
think
I
see
any
more,
so
let's
go
ahead
and
proceed
to
testimony
at
this
time.
So
again
as
a
reminder,
we
will
be
limiting
all
testifiers
to
two
minutes
each
and
anyone
that's
in
this
room,
please
make
sure
to
identify
yourself
for
the
record
before
you
come
in.
So
let's
go
first!
Is
there
anyone
in
this
room
willing
to
testify
and
support
on
av97
at
this
time.
L
Pfos
are
toxic
chemicals
that
can
contaminate
water
harm
the
environment
and
are
linked
to
numerous
health
impacts,
even
in
very
low
quantities.
Pfas
do
not
break
down
in
the
natural
environment
and
can
find
their
way
into
our
soil
and
our
drinking
water.
They
can
also
accumulate
and
remain
in
the
environment,
wildlife
and
our
bodies
for
extended
periods
of
time.
Because
of
this
they're
commonly
referred
to
as
forever
chemicals.
Studies
have
shown
that
exposure
to
these
chemicals
can
cause
adverse
health
effects,
including
increased
risk
of
cancer,
suppressed
immune
systems,
increased
cholesterol
and
problems
in
fetal
development.
L
A
Thank
you
so
much
ms
cabral.
Anyone
else
in
the
room,
seeing
none,
let's
go
to
the
phone
lines.
Bps
is
there
anyone
wishing
to
testify
and
support
for
eb97.
H
F
Good
afternoon
will
pregnant
representing
battleborn
progress,
w-I-l-l
p,
as
in
peter
a
r-e-g-m-a-n.
I
will
simply
ditto
the
comments
of
christy
cabrera
and
say
we
should
be
doing
everything
to
keep
our
environment
and
drinking
water
safe
for
nevadans,
and
thank
you,
sillyman
watts,
for
bringing
this
bill.
We
urge
your
support.
A
A
F
F
We
really
want
to
thank
the
sponsor
for
working
with
us
and
other
interested
stakeholders
to
get
us
to
a
point
where
you
know
we
are
okay.
With
this.
With
this
legislation,
as
amended
in
the
petroleum
industry,
petroleum
fires
need
to
be
extinguished
quickly
efficiently
and
pfos
firefighting
foam
does
have
is,
is
what
it
works
for
us,
and
there
really
isn't
anything
else
out
there.
Currently,
that
is
as
efficient,
so.
A
H
E
Good
afternoon,
chair
donate
members
of
the
committee.
My
name
is
jennifer
carr
j-e-n-n-I-f-e-r-c-a-r-r,
I'm
a
deputy
administrator
for
the
nevada
division
of
environmental
protection.
I'm
testifying
as
neutral
today
on
ab-97
ndp
supports
efforts
to
protect
nevada's
water
resources
from
pfas
contamination,
and
I
want
to
thank
assemblyman
watch
for
con
for
considering
input
from
ndp
as
the
bill
progressed
through
the
assembly.
E
E
It
is
worth
noting
that
additional
testing
under
this
federal
program
is
planned
for
2023
to
2025
and
that
29
pfloss
compounds
or
more
will
be
tested
at
that
time.
E
Ndp
has
passed
experience
in
addressing
contaminants
that
do
not
have
federal
or
state
enforceable
primary
drinking
water
standards
and
historic
examples
include
releases
of
perchlorate
at
the
former
pepcon
and
kermigee
or
tronox
facilities
near
henderson,
as
well
as
re
releases
of
fuel
oxygenates
such
as
mtbe
from
gas
stations
and
sulfates
from
mine
sites.
We
would
use
these
same
authorities
to
respond
to
any
instances
of
pcos
contamination.
H
D
Thank
you
for
the
opportunity
to
testify
today
on
ab-97
legislation
that
touches
on
several
different
chemistries
that
are
used
by
a
variety
of
different
industry
sectors
and
in
a
multitude
of
product
applications.
I'd
like
to
thank
assemblyman
watts
for
working
with
us
and
other
stakeholders,
stakeholders
to
address
some
identified
issues
when
the
bill
was
first
introduced.
However,
given
the
amendments
adopted
in
the
assembly,
we
are
currently
neutral
on
ab97.
H
D
Chairman
donate
and
members
of
the
senate
committee
on
natural
resources,
my
name
is:
jake
ward,
herzeg,
j,
a
k,
e
w,
a
r
d,
hyphen
h,
e
r
z,
as
in
zebra
I
k,
I'm
a
student
at
the
williams,
boyd
school
of
law
and
the
legislative
extern
for
the
nevada
mining
association,
as
in
the
assembly.
The
nevada
mining
association
is
here
today
in
neutral,
based
on
the
amendments
to
the
original
language
of
the
bill.
D
We'd
once
like
once
again
like
to
thank
the
bill's
sponsor
assemblyman
watts
for
his
diligence
in
working
with
us
and
other
stakeholders
on
the
amendment
to
ensure
the
nevada
mining
industry
may
continue
to
work
toward
alternative
firefighting
solutions
at
mine
operations
across
the
state.
Thank
you.
H
A
Thank
you
so
much
vps,
chairman
watts.
Do
you
have
any
closing
remarks.
K
A
A
Let's
proceed
to
assembly
bill,
171
I'll,
go
ahead
and
open
the
hearing
on
this
bill,
which
establishes
certain
protections
for
certain
swamps
leaders,
so
welcome
back
assemblyman
watts.
Please
proceed
and,
and
also
we'll
go
to
your
guidance
on
how
you'd,
like
the
order
of
your
presenter
yourself.
K
So
I
just
want
to
make
all
the
members
aware
that
some
of
this
additional
testimony
that
you're
about
to
hear
from
my
co-presenters
we're
not
going
to
going
to
repeat
it.
But
much
of
what
you
hear
for
this
bill
applies
to
the
resolution
as
well
and
honestly
with
that,
I
will
walk
you
through
the
bill,
but
I'll
stop
at
this
point
so
that
we
can
hear
from
ms
billsbury
mr
sanford
and
others
about
why
the
the
swamp
cedars
in
basawabi
is
important
and
in
need
of
additional.
J
J
J
For
many
years
the
confederated
tribes
of
the
ghoshu,
the
ili
shoshone
and
the
duckwater
shoshone
reservations
have
been
working
to
tell
an
important
story
about
our
heritage.
My
contribution
to
those
efforts
follows
I
am
here
today
to
encourage
protection
of
what's
sacred
to
my
family
and
my
tribe.
The
spring
valley
stand
of
rocky
mountain
juniper
trees,
known
locally
as
the
swamp,
cedars,
spiritually
and
culturally.
J
J
J
My
own
grandmother
was
one
of
two
children
who
survived
the
last
massacre
as
she
hid
in
a
ditch.
She
witnessed
bloodthirsty
thugs,
viciously,
kill
off
her
relatives
and
friends
and
has
decreed
her
place
of
worship
her
place
of
solace
with
the
remaining
newer
people.
It
is
our
firmest
belief
that
the
swamp
cedars
in
spring
valley
embody
the
spirits
of
the
lives
lost
during
these
massacres.
J
J
Significance
of
boston
lobby
to
my
people
is
hard
to
describe.
We've
heard
boston
bobby,
be
compared
to
places
like
mecca
or
vatican
city.
Another
comparison
would
be
to
a
massacre
site
like
wounded
knee
and
countless
other
sites
where
native
people
were
unjustly
attacked,
but
I
want
to
say
that
you
cannot
compare
wabi
to
anything
else.
There
is
only
one
and
if
swamp
seeders
are
gone
from
boston
lobby,
then
it
is
all
gone.
J
Bossawabi
is
listed
on
the
national
registered
historic
places
as
a
traditional
cultural
property.
The
site
is
also
listed
as
an
area
of
critical
environmental.
Environmental
concern
with
the
bureau
of
land
management.
Bostowabi
is
also
within
the
boundaries
of
the
recently
redesignated
great
basin
national
heritage
area.
Most
of
this
every
zone
of
our
work.
J
J
Currently,
there
are
no
protections
in
nevada
for
sacred
trees
like
swamp
cedars.
We
are
long
overdue
for
a
change
proposals
to
protect
the
swamp
cedars
are
opportunities
to
listen,
learn
and
respect
our
wishes.
We
hope
this
can
be
an
opportunity
to
build
bridges
between
our
tribal
governments
and
the
state,
though
the
swamp
cedars
may
not
be
officially
considered
a
unique
genetic
population
of
rocky
mountain
junipers,
they
sure
are
unique
to
me.
J
Boston,
lobby's
trees
bring
my
people's
feelings
of
both
comfort
and
sadness.
On
top
of
a
mountain
rocky
mountain
juniper
is
just
a
rocky
mountain
juniper.
On
the
valley
floor
at
wasabi,
a
swamp
cedar
is
my
connection
to
my
ancestors,
my
heritage,
my
people,
my
existence,
my
son
rick,
often
says.
If
bossawabi
and
the
swamp
cedars
are
harmed,
it
will
be
my
own
personal
extinction
event.
J
Wasabri
represents
what
it
means
to
be
me
what
it
means
to
be
native
what
it
means
to
be
nua.
That
is
why
I
encourage
you
now
to
protect
the
spirits
of
our
new
ancestors,
our
culture
and
the
history
of
our
newer
people.
Please
support
the
effort
to
protect
the
swamp
seniors
and
thank
you
so
very
much.
K
Thank
you,
miss
pillsbury,
and
if
it's
all
right
with
the
chair,
I
believe
we
have
mr
sanford
also
providing
some
remarks.
I
Mr
watts,
this
is
monty
dr
monty
sanford,
for
the
record,
if
it
would
be
all
right
with
the
committee.
I'd
like
I'd
like
to
pass
my
turn
onto
rupert,
and
maybe
I
could
go
after
chairman,
rupert
steele
from
the
confederated
tribes
of
the
goshew
reservation.
N
N
And
I
I'm
here
to
speak
on
on
on
the
on
ab171,
forcing
you
to
strongly
consider.
N
Approving
the
legislations,
though,
because
yesterday
was
a
very
proud
day
for
for
indigenous
people,
it
was
the
missing
and
murdered
indigenous
people's
awareness
day
in
my
ancestors
that
were
massacred
at
that
site
in
swamp
cedar,
but
they're
still
there
and
yesterday
I
prayed
for
them
great
for
each
and
every
one
of
us
too,
because
you
know
it
does
hurt
spiritually,
as
we
all
know,
when
we
lose
our
loved
one
and
the
ones
that
are
give
up
their
lives.
N
N
N
N
N
N
I
Thank
you,
chairman
watts,
and
members
of
the
senate
committee,
mr
watts.
I
I
hope
I
didn't
move
us
too
much
out
of
a
planned
organization
on
that,
but
I
felt
like
having
rupert
steele
go
in
front
of
me
is
proper
proper
to
do
I'm
going
to
keep
my
testimony
short,
but
I
do
want
to
kind
of
zoom
out
a
little
bit
and
bring
up
something
that
rupert
both
rupert
and
delane
touched
on,
and
that
is
the
native
american
holocaust
and
yesterday
being
recognized
as
missing
and
murdered
indigenous
people's
day,
we
tend
to
think
I
think
a
lot
of
us
probably
go
through
school
in
the
united
states
and
or
or
if
we've
immigrated
here.
I
We
probably
don't
know
anything
about
the
native
american
holocaust.
We
don't
know
we're
not
taught
what
that
was
like
for
indigenous
people
but
centuries
upon
centuries
upon
centuries
of
indigenous
people
suffering
through
one
massacre
after
the
other
massacre
after
the
other-
and
you
know
I
just
want
to
bring
that
into
focus
here
partially
because
of
the
indigenous
people's
day
yesterday,
but
also
the
the
massacres
at
basawabi.
I
I
It's
a
ceremonial
area
and
because
it
was
that
because
indigenous
people
gathered
there
from
all
over
the
place,
people
came
from
from
distant
regions
to
gather
there,
but
because
it
was
a
ceremonial
gathering
area,
people
were
targeted
at
vasa
bossawabi,
because
it's
where
a
lot
of
people
could
be
as
what
they
call
the
flock
shoot.
I
So
in
other
words,
indigenous
people
could
be
killed
off
in
mass
was
one
of
those
places
where
they
did
that
in
the
great
basin,
and
it's
special
special,
special
meaning
and
significance.
Because
of
that,
I
just
want
to
recognize
recognize
that,
and
you
know,
recognize
all
the
people
that
have
lost
their
lives
both
at
bossawabi,
but
also
all
of
the
other
missing,
murdered
and
forgotten
indigenous
people.
I
You
know
I
could
I
have
a
few
other
things.
I'd
like
to
like
to
say
about
swamp,
cedars,
there's
sort
of
more
technical
technical
issues,
but
I
sort
of
feel
like
at
this
point:
I'm
just
gonna
kind
of
truncate
it
and
keep
it
short,
but
we've
heard
some
opposition
to
this
bill
in
the
past
in
previous
assembly
committees,
and
you
know
I
I
would
also.
I
And
so
I
just
want
to
want
to
put
forth
that.
You
know
this
is
a
special
circumstance
and
it's
a
special
tree
to
the
indigenous
people,
and
it
holds
special
memory
for
the
people
and
with
that
I'll,
take
any
questions
if
the
if
the
committee
has
them.
Thank
you.
K
Thank
you,
and
so
it's
all
right,
mr
chair
I'll,
walk
you
very
briefly
through
the
bill
and
just
provide
a
couple
of
additional
pieces
of
context,
and
then
I'm
happy
to
take
any
questions
that
members
of
the
committee
may
have.
The
bill
itself
is
quite
it's
quite
short
section.
K
One
is
really
the
the
main
content
of
the
bill,
and
so
it
adds
to
chapter
527
of
nrs,
a
declaration
about
the
importance
of
protecting
the
rocky
mountain
junipers
known
as
swamp
cedars,
and
it
creates
a
specific
geographic
boundary
for
these
trees,
those
that
are
located
in
white
pine
county
within
the
boundaries
of
that
basawabee,
traditional
cultural
property,
and
then
it
makes
it
unlawful
for
any
entity
to
willful,
willfully
or
negligently
cut,
destroy,
mutilate
or
remove
any
of
the
trees
within
that
area,
without
first
obtaining
a
special
permit
from
the
state
forester
fire
warden
and
complying
with
any
other
applicable
requirements,
and
this
type
of
protection
is
something
that
we
see
in
other
portions
of
this
chapter
of
nrs.
K
K
There
are
questions
about
whether
these
trees,
which
again
are
commonly
seen
on
mountainsides,
are
not
commonly
seen
in
valleys,
and
so
this
is
the
only
known
grove
of
these
trees
that
occurs
entirely
in
the
valley
bottom,
and
the
reason
for
that
is
because
the
water
table
is
shallow
and
available
for
these
trees
to
access
in
a
way
that
normally,
they
wouldn't
have
the
resources
needed
to
survive
and
thrive,
and
so
studies
have
not
been
done
to
determine
if
over
time,
these
trees
are
actually
genetically
different
from
the
rocky
mountain
junipers
that
are
found
throughout
the
rest
of
the
state
and
throughout
the
rest
of
the
region.
K
So
they
may
be
a
distinct
population
they
may
not
be,
and,
and
so
what
we're
doing
here
is
geographically
defining
the
protection
so
that
they
do
not
apply
to
all
rocky
mountain
junipers
across
the
state.
You
know.
In
addition,
I
think
there's
been
know
a
lot
of
discussion
about
the
roles
of
the
state
and
federal
government
in
this,
so
these
trees
are
located
on
federally
managed
public
lands
and
so
there's
certain
actions
for
kind
of
overall
land
management
status
that
have
to
be
taken
by
the
federal
government.
K
As
you
know,
there
are
certain
resources,
water,
wildlife
and,
to
a
certain
extent,
flora
in
this
state
that
are
are
held
in
public
trust
and
managed
more
directly
by
the
state,
and
so
having
already
asserted
the
state
authority
to
manage
some
of
these
other
plant
populations
for
reasons
of
of
importance
to
the
state,
we're
simply
extending
that
to
protect
this
grove
of
trees
for
their
cultural
significance,
I
think
to
everyone
in
this
state
and
the
spiritual
significance
they
have
to
the
indigenous
residents
of
the
area.
So
with
that.
That
concludes
the
presentation.
A
O
Thank
you.
Actually,
I
I
support
both
the
bills.
Just
so
you
know,
but
there
are
some
problems
with
some
of
the
things
that
have
been
said.
That
kind
of
concerned
me
one
mr
sanford
mentioned
that
you
know
in
america
we
don't
know
anything
about
the
past,
but
I
actually
am
familiar
with
the
sand.
Creek
massacre,
cherokee
cherokee
trail
of
tears,
the
seminal
massacres
wounded
knee
I'm,
not
somebody
that
doesn't
understand
a
lot
about
that.
Admittedly,
I'm
not
a
native
american.
In
this
way
it's
defined
now,
however,
the
historical
stuff
around
the
the
the
sites.
O
There's
no
question
that
there
was
a
massacre
in
1863..
However,
the
1859
one
is
highly
questionable
because
of
a
whole
bunch
of
anomalies.
In
the
story,
the
1897
one
actually
is
even
more
questionable,
because
the
original
accounts
indicate
that
they
were
cavalry
when
there
was
in
fact
no
cavalry
in
1897
in
that
part
of
nevada.
O
So
you
know
some
of
the
stuff
that
said
no
offense
to
anybody,
but
the
historical
inaccuracies
disturbed
me
as
part
of
of
the
bill.
The
water
table
argument.
There's
there's
high
water
tables
all
over
the
place
throughout
the
rocky
mountains.
Not
just
there,
and
so
the
idea
that
this
particular
type
of
rocky
mountain
juniper
only
is
surviving
because
of
a
high
water
table
doesn't
make
sense
either.
So
I
support
it.
I
support
the
indigenous
people's
concerns.
I
think
it
is
a
historically
important
site
and
should
be
set
aside
and
last.
O
I
would
point
out
you
pointed
out
that
this
is
the
former
area
of
the
washoe
indians
and
the
reason
it's
the
former
area
of
the
washoe
indians,
because
the
washoe
indians
were
driven
here
by
the
paiute
indians
and
they
actually
lived
in
the
sierras
all
along
the
the
the
this
side
of
the
sierras,
all
up
to
honey
lake
valley
in
fear
of
their
more
powerful
paiute
neighbors
and
the
paiutes
and
the
shoshones
historically
had
all
sorts
of
fights
going
on.
O
And
if
you
study
all
of
the
indian
history
throughout
the
the
west,
you
find
there's
constant
conflict
between
the
various
indian
tribes,
starting
with
the
five
so-called
civilized
tribes
back
east
who
drove
out
the
people.
It
became
the
indigenous
sioux
in
the
midwest
I
mean
there's
just
this
constant
conflict.
So
there's
the
idea
that
this
is
somehow
some
new
unique
thing
just
doesn't
add
up.
So,
while
I
respect
everyone's
opinion
on
this,
I
think
the
historical
anomalies
in
some
of
these
things
just
make
it
highly
questionable.
I
support
the
bill.
O
I
support
setting
aside
this
area.
I
support
the
the
true
histories
of
some
of
these
terrible
massacres
that
did
in
fact
occur,
but
I
don't
support
the
idea
that
this
is
somehow
entirely
unique
to
european
civilization
and
that
it
didn't
occur
prior
to
us
even
being
here.
So
with
that.
Thank
you,
mr
chair,
for
allowing
me
to
get
that
on
the
record.
K
K
I
know
that
you're
very
well
read
and
very
well
educated
on
many
of
these
issues
more
than
most,
and
so
I
appreciate
that,
of
course,
I
think
the
entire
history
of
this
continent
is
very
complicated
and
in
a
variety
of
ways-
and
I
would
I
appreciate
you
expressing
those
things-
and
I
don't
want
this-
to
turn
into
it
right
now-
a
debate
on
all
the
the
finer
points
of
that,
particularly
since
some
of
those
things,
while
they
are
represe
in
some
of
the
language
of
the
the
other
measure
that
we'll
discuss,
are
not
actually
referenced
within
this
bill.
K
Now
I
I
just
will
say
that
we've
seen
that
as
long
as
there's
been
human
histories
and
people
telling
stories,
there's
been
different
versions
of
those
stories
and
and
that
those
stories
bear
particular
importance
to
certain
groups
of
people
and
and
then
there's
sometimes
disagreements
on
those
interpretations
from
other
people.
So
again,
I
I
appreciate
your
support
for
the
overall
initiative
as
well
as
you
putting
those
comments
on
the
record
and
again
we
may
have
some
disagreements
and
we
can.
We
can
take
those
offline
as
well.
O
A
A
As
a
reminder,
please
try
not
to
conflate
your
comments.
I
know
we
have
two
measures
that
are
very
similar
to
each
other,
but
just
make
sure
you're
listening
to
the
prompts
by
bps.
So
is
there
anyone
in
this
room
willing
to
testify
in
support
on
ab7171.
L
Thank
you
again,
sheridante
and
members
of
the
committee
for
the
record.
My
name
is
christy
cabrera,
c-h-r-I-s-t-I
c-a-b-r-e-r-a
and
I'm
the
policy
and
advocacy
director
for
the
nevada
conservation
league
here
in
support
of
ab171.
As
was
stated
in
the
bill,
presentation
swamp
cedars,
are
sacred
to
our
indigenous
populations
and
are
ecologically
unique.
L
A
H
F
Good
afternoon,
chair
and
members
of
the
committee
for
the
record,
my
name
is
ian
bigley.
That's
I
a
n
b,
I
g
l
e
y
and
I'm
the
mining
justice
organizer
with
the
progressive
leadership
alliance
of
nevada
here
in
support
of
assembly
bill
171,
so
you've
just
heard
testimony
from
tribal
leaders
and
elders
imploring
you
to
take
action.
We
want
to
thank
those
folks
for
sharing
such
important
stories
and
providing
an
opportunity
for
non-native
people
to
gain
perspective
and
understanding.
We
hope
that
this
effort
can
be
an
opportunity
to
build
bridges
rather
than
divide.
F
The
legislature
has
an
unprecedented
opportunity
to
recognize
the
cultural
and
spiritual
significance
of
the
swamp
cedars
and
respect
the
practices
that
continue
to
occur
there.
The
swamp
cedars
are
a
place
of
prayer,
and
these
prayers
are
a
part
of
the
necessary
healing
process
for
these
communities
going
through
ongoing
historic
trauma.
F
We
hope
that
members
of
the
nevada
legislature
can
see
the
deep
importance
of
protecting
the
swamp
cedars
as
a
small
but
important
step
towards
healing
the
land
in
people.
Environmental
justice
requires
us
to
step
outside
of
past
frameworks
in
order
to
include
those
who
have
been,
who
have
historically
not
been
recognized.
This
legislation
does
that
in
a
very
important
way.
Please
support
ab171
thank.
H
H
F
Good
afternoon,
chair
donate
and
members
of
the
committee
for
the
record,
this
is
marla:
mcgade
williams,
m-a-r-l-a-m-c
capital,
d-a-d-e
w-I-l-l-I-a-m-s,
with
strategies
360
and
representing
the
renaissance
indian
colony.
I
want
to
extend
our
respect
to
ms
billsbury
and
mr
steele
for
their
comments
and
for
carrying
the
native
history
to
this
body.
We
also
want
to
thank
assemblyman
watts
and
the
members
of
the
legislative
committee
on
public
lands
for
bringing
this
bill
lorenzo
sparks.
F
H
P
P
There's
a
academic
research
substantiating
that,
and
I
think
the
thing
that
really
differentiates
is
the
saline
nature
of
the
water
table
and
I'll
be
passing
that
that
academic
work
around
the
committee
just
to
just
to
ensure
everyone
knows
that
part
of
it.
But
I
think
this
is
this
is
about
something
much
bigger
and
I
think
everybody
recognizes
that
and
you
know,
but
again
we
are
not.
We
are
not
here
to
say
that
this
is
a
genetically
distinct
species
that
research
has
yet
to
be
conducted.
P
However,
we
are
saying
that
the
spring
valley
stands
are
distinguished
and
they're
marked
by
you
know,
a
beautiful
and
terrible
history.
We
are
saying
that
threats
exist.
We
are
saying
that
these
trees
are
are
worthy
of
fully
protected
status
under
nrs,
527.270
development
and
other
human
caused
actions
could
all
imperil
these
trees.
The
state
must
do
everything
in
its
power
to
ensure
the
swamp.
Cedars
remain
vibrant
in
spring
valley,
as
we
heard
from
chairman
steele
and
delane,
and
dr
stanford.
P
The
history
of
spring
valley
goes
back
many
thousands
of
years,
ab-171
recognizes
what
took
place
before
and
after
western
expansion
and
appreciates
the
spiritual
beliefs
of
native
people.
It
acknowledges
that
we
are
in
a
world
where
our
natural
resources
are
at
risk.
As
delane
said
in
her
testimony
when
she
sees
a
rocky
mountain
juniper
on
top
of
a
mountain,
she
sees
a
tree
when
she
sees
a
swamp
cedar
in
spring
valley.
She
sees
her
relatives.
P
P
H
E
Lisa
ortega,
l-I-s-a-o-r-t-e-g-a
chairman
donald
chairman,
watts,
members
of
the
committee.
My
name
is
lisa
ortega,
a
volunteer
member
of
the
sierra
club's
legislative
committee,
southern
nevada,
xcom
member
and
a
master
arborist
behalf,
the
sierra
club
and
our
more
than
40
000
members
and
supporters
statewide,
I'm
speaking
in
support
of
171..
E
The
testimony
that
we
have
heard
exemplifies
that
stands
at
trees
with
important
historical,
cultural,
spiritual
and
ecological
significance
deserve
the
type
of
protections
offered
by
171.
the
division
of
forestry
that
the
state
forest
or
fire
warden
have
and
should
have
the
ability
to
protect
forest
species
of
significance.
Right
now.
There
are
no
protections
in
state
law
for
these
unique
swamp,
cedars,
juniperous,
scopulorum,
these
pockets
of
trees
are
not
known
to
exist
at
the
current
elevation.
E
E
We
believe
that
this
legislation
offers
an
opportunity
for
non-native
communities
to
learn
more
about
the
customs
and
traditions
of
indigenous
peoples
in
the
great
basin.
This
historic
opportunity
to
build
trust
to
gain
new
understandings
of
each
other
and
our
history
in
nevada,
while
offering
protections
that
deserve
places
of
such
historical
significance.
E
Ab171
will
ensure
that
important
protections
outlined
in
nrs
527.050
apply
their
swamp
seeders.
This
effort
is
about
looking
outside
of
existing
frameworks
and
including
new
perspectives
and
ideas
into
the
conservation
conversations.
We
want
to
thank
our
tribal
leaders
for
the
conviction
and
commitment
sharing
their
history
through
their
stories.
Their
effort
to
protect
this
place
is
inspiring
to
a
new
generation
of
conservation
leaders
and
marks
a
new
inclusive
future
for
nevada,
it's
time
to
protect
the
nevada
swamp
theaters.
Thank
you.
H
F
F
H
M
My
name
is
jaina,
moan
j-a-I-n-a-m-o-a-n
and
I'm
the
external
affairs
director
for
the
nature
conservancy
in
nevada,
chair
donate
and
members
of
the
committee.
We
are
here
to
testify
in
support
of
ab171.
The
conservancy
recognizes
the
spiritual
and
cultural
importance
of
the
swamp
cedars
and
we
support
additional
protections
for
these
trees
in
spring
valley.
With
ab-171,
we
have
the
chance
to
protect
the
traditional
knowledge
that
has
been
shared
with
us
today.
Basawabe
is
a
deeply
important
cultural
landscape.
M
The
singular
qualities
of
this
place
are
rooted
in
a
deep
relationship,
but
our
own
human
species
has
developed
with
this
population
of
trees
over
countless
generations.
Since
time
immemorial,
recognizing
the
swamp
cedars
as
protected
flora,
as
ab-171
would
do,
will
provide
a
layer
of
protection
for
this
culturally
significant
population
of
trees.
Thank
you
to
the
tribal
leaders
for
sharing
their
history
and
culture.
We
urge
the
members
of
this
committee
to
vote
yes
on
ab171.
H
F
W-I-L-L-P-R-E-G-M-A-N,
I
will
simply
say
ditto
to
the
previous
speakers.
This
legislature
should
be
protecting
invaluable
species.
Species
like
this
preserve
land
sacred
to
indigenous
peoples
in
our
state.
We
thank
assemblyman
watts
for
bringing
this
forward
and
encourage
your
support.
Thank
you.
A
H
A
H
D
Thank
you.
My
name
is
bradley
kroll,
I'm
the
director
of
the
nevada
department
of
conservation
and
natural
resources.
I
will
endeavor
to
keep
my
remarks
to
two
minutes
or
less
good
afternoon.
Chair
donate
and
members
of
the
committee.
Again
my
name
is
brad
kroll.
As
I
mentioned,
I
am
the
director
of
the
department
of
conservation,
natural
resources
for
nevada.
D
We
appreciated
the
opportunity
to
provide
comment
at
the
interim
legislative
committee
on
public
lands
hearing
on
september
10
2020
and
to
submit
a
collective
letter
on
january
11
2021
regarding
various
opportunities
to
protect
the
swamp
cedars.
I'd
ask
that
that
letter
be
included
in
the
record
of
today's
hearing.
For
the
purposes
of
today.
We
recognize
and
commend
the
ways
in
which
this
proposal
has
evolved.
In
response
to
our
comments,
the
department
understands
and
supports
the
spirit
and
intent
of
this
bill.
The
swamp
cedars
are
undoubtedly
an
important
cultural
resource.
D
D
There
are
new
innumerable
important
natural
resources
across
this
vast
state,
many
of
which
are
located
on
federal
lands.
These
unique
resources
cannot
all
be
individually
recognized
in
state
statute,
each
requiring
a
special
permit
issued
by
the
state
forester
fire
warden.
The
burden
would
simply
be
too
great.
D
The
population
of
swamp
cedars,
an
associated
sacred
and
culturally
significant
area
is
on
federal
land
managed
by
the
bureau
of
land
management.
It
appears,
therefore,
that
the
protection
of
the
swamp
seeker
population
in
spring
valley
should
be
primarily
addressed
by
the
blm,
the
land
manager
for
this
cultural
resource
area,
in
consultation
with
tribal
leaders,
one
opportunity
for
the
blm
to
protect
the
swamp
cedars
would
be
to
revise
and
expand
its
existing
area
of
critical
environmental
concern
to
include
the
entire
spring
valley,
sponsored
population
and
culturally
significant
area.
D
I'd
also
like
to
highlight
an
additional
area
of
concern
impacting
the
swamp
cedars
that
has
not
yet
been
fully
raised
during
consideration
of
ab-171
or
ajr4
and
which
is
not
with
totally
within
the
federal
domain,
to
truly
provide
lasting
protection
for
this
important
natural
and
cultural
resource.
It's
important
to
look
beyond
just
the
terrestrial
elements
related
to
the
swamp
cedars,
ensuring
adequate
water
resources
for
the
survival
of
this
species.
D
With
that
in
mind,
I
would
encourage
this
committee
tribal
representatives
and
other
stakeholders
to
work
with
water
right
holders
in
the
spring
valley
area
to
explore
opportunities
for
protecting
the
water
resources
associated
with
the
swamp
cedars,
namely
the
southern
nevada,
water
authority
and
the
lds
church,
which
currently
hold
the
majority
of
water
rights
for
the
water
resources
located
in
spring
valley
adjacent
to
the
location
of
the
swamp.
Cedars.
H
A
Thank
you
so
much
bps
islamic
man
watts
closing
remarks.
K
I
thank
you
for
your
time
and
consideration
of
ab-171
a
couple
of
things
I'll
just
quickly
say
in
closing,
as
was
noted
by
some
of
the
other
speakers,
you
heard
about
how
unique
and
significant
this
place
is-
and
I
I
do
agree
with
some
of
the
remarks
made
by
senator
hansen-
that
it
is
not
just
because
of
the
presence
of
of
a
shallow
water
table
and
while
those
are
very
interesting
things
to
look
into
and
study
from
a
scientific
perspective,
and
I
support
that
wholeheartedly
again
we're
looking
at
the
the
cultural
significance
and
and
taking
what
actions
we
can
at
a
state
level
to
protect
this
specific
grove
of
trees.
K
For
that
reason,
just
briefly
in
response
to
some
of
the
comments
that
were
made
in
neutral
again
that
this
is
proposal
has
evolved
since
the
time
it
was
first
brought
forward
in
the
public
lands
committee,
initially
looking
at
designating
these
trees
as
a
fully
protected
species,
which
is
a
designation
made
by
the
state
based
on
a
scientific
evaluation
and
applies
to
an
entire
species.
Usually,
that
is
at
risk
or
threatened,
and
we
ultimately
decided
to
go
in
a
different
direction
with
this
bill.
K
I
understand
the
the
slippery
slope
argument,
but
we
bring
forward
many
ideas
into
this
legislative
body,
some
of
which
we
decide
to
move
forward
after
vetting
and
some
of
which
we
do
not,
and
we
cannot
tie
the
hands
of
any
future
legislature
if
they
wish
to
take
similar
action
to
protect
another
area.
But
what
I
can
say
is
that
this
policy
is
not
more
broadly
targeted.
We
are
looking
at
a
very
specific
grove
of
trees
that
is
very
specifically
geographically
defined
for
protection.
K
A
K
Ajr4
looks
to
address
the
federal
land
management
responsibilities
by
calling
for
additional
federal
protections.
As
was
noted,
there
is
a
traditional
cultural
property
designated
in
the
in
for
basawabi.
There
is
a
an
area
of
critical
environmental
concern
for
the
swamp
cedars.
K
That
is,
I
believe,
smaller,
and
then
these
are
located
in
a
much
larger,
great
basin
national
heritage
area.
So
these
are
some
federal
designations
that
have
been
given
that
provide
both
recognition
and,
to
some
degree,
a
level
of
heightened
protection,
or
at
least
awareness
about
this
special
place.
K
However,
we
believe
that
those
protections
are
not
enough
to
guarantee
that
that
this
grove
of
trees
will
endure
into
future
generations,
and
so
essentially,
what
ajr
four
does
is
it
calls
upon
congress
and
the
president
to
look
into
additional
actions
that
could
be
taken
to
protect
specifically
these
lands
and
again
I
I
want
to
be
extremely
clear.
This
would
be
using
federal
authority
to
strengthen
protections
on
federal
lands
and
specifically
the
area
where
this
grove
of
trees
exists.
K
So,
after
going
through
some
of
the
cultural
importance
of
the
area
which
you
have
already
heard
about
in
the
resolution,
the
it
simply
calls
for
the
president
and
congress
to
take
additional
action
and
it's
a
bit
open-ended.
It
proposes
a
couple
of
ideas
that
have
been
suggested
by
indigenous
leaders,
including
a
potential
expansion
of
great
basin
national
park
to
to
have
a
separate
area,
including
the
trees
or
the
designation
as
a
national
monument,
but
it
is
not
limited
to
those,
so
any
other.
K
Any
federal
action
that
would
increase
protection
for
the
area
would
be
welcome
and
encouraged
with
that.
That
that
concludes
my
presentation.
I
don't
know
if
mr
sanford
might
have
anything
that
that
he
would
like
to
add
for
context,
and
then
I
think
after
that,
we'd
be
ready
to
take
any
questions
that
the
committee
has.
I
I
would
like
to
add
a
few
remarks
if
I,
if
I
could-
and
that
is
just
regarding
the
you
know-
the
levels
of
protections
for
swamp
seeders
as
as
howard
mentioned,
there
is
a
you
know,
vasa
lobby
is
designated
as
a
traditional
cultural
property
under
the
national
historic
or
on
the
national
register
of
historic
places.
I
I
The
acec
provides
some
level
of
protection
because
I
think
in
the
blm's
resource
management
plan
it
prevents
any
occupancy
of
the
site,
and
so,
if
a
if
a
developer
or
somebody
wants
to
come
in
and
occupy
the
area,
they
can't
they
can't
occupy
it's
no
surface
occupancy
is
what
they
call
it.
I
As
far
as
the
tcp,
the
national
historic
preservation
act
does
not
disallow
the
destruction
of
tcps
or
other
eligible
properties
on
the
national
register.
It
simply
provides
a
process
to
go
through
if
those
sites
were
to
be
destroyed,
and
then
I
would
like
to
just
address
momentarily
the
department
of
natural
resource
conservation
and
natural
resources
concern
regarding
setting
precedent.
I
You
know
to
my
understanding
that
you
know
we
have
in
the
state
of
nevada
christmas,
trees,
yuccas
and
cacti
that
are
protected
under
nrs
527
and
that
that
includes
to
my
knowledge,
federal
federal
land
and,
in
fact,
their
specific
language
in
nrs
522
regarding
federal
property,
and
so
those
are
protected
and
the
state
does
have
does
have
authority
for
those
protections
on
federal
land
it
and
it's
sort
of
similar
to
how
the
you
know
the
fish
and
game
or
the
department
of
wildlife
might
regulate,
hunting
and
fishing,
and
so
I
just
want
to
you
know,
make
make
that
known
that
it's
that
it's
not
a
that's,
not
a
totally
new
thing
that
the
the
state
could
do
here.
I
And
so
you
know
what
we're
left
with
with
the
with
the
traditional
cultural
property
for
bossawabi
is
very,
very
little
to
very
none
protection
for
the
site.
And
that's
why
we'd,
like
the
the
senate
committee
to
you,
know,
approve
ajr
for
urging
congress
to
you
know,
protect
protect
this
important
site
for
for
indigenous
communities
and
and
all
of
nevadans.
Thank
you.
A
Thank
you
so
much
if
some
women
watch
committee
members
any
questions,
I
think
we're
good
to
go
all
right.
Let's
go
ahead
and
go
to
testimony.
So
is
there
anyone
in
the
room
who
would
like
to
testify
and
support.
L
L
It's
important
that
we
preserve
places
with
with
such
historic
and
cultural
significance,
and
this
resolution
is
a
step
in
the
right
direction
to
permanently
protecting
the
swamp
cedars
and
the
special
places
where
they
grow
or
special
place
where
they
go.
I
should
say
we
urge
the
committee
support
and
thank
you
for
your
time
today.
A
Thank
you
so
much
is
there
anyone
else
bps
seeing
then
let's
go
ahead
and
to
the
phone
lines.
If
anyone
wants
to
provide
support,
testimony
on
ajr4.
H
F
Good
afternoon,
chair
and
members
of
the
committee
for
the
record,
my
name
is
ian
bigley,
that
is,
I
a
n
b,
I
g
l
e
y
aggressive
leadership
alliance
of
nevada
here
in
support
of
assembly
joint
resolution
4.
This
legislation
recognizes
that
sacred
places
for
indigenous
peoples
exist
outside
of
the
arbitrarily
set
up
reservation
boundaries.
In
this
case
they
exist
on
stolen
land
that
has
been
declared
federal
for
many
years.
Nevada
tribes,
who
value
this
area
as
culturally
and
traditionally
significant,
have
worked
to
preserve
the
swamp
cedars
for
future
generations.
F
H
P
P
This
resolution
is
simple:
it
is
asking
the
congressional
delegation
and
the
executive
branch
of
the
u.s
government
to
preserve
and
acknowledge
a
site
with
so
much
history.
The
intent
of
this
bill
is
about
recognizing
that
significant
sites
for
native
people
exist
outside
the
bounds
of
reservations.
P
This
is
certainly
a
reasonable
notion,
especially
when
heard
in
conjunction
with
the
stories
from
folks
like
delane
and
chairman
steele,
as
we
heard
from
dr
sanford
earlier,
basawabi
lacks
safeguards
to
maintain
the
integrity
of
the
area
for
years
to
come.
The
14
000
acre
site,
which
is
overseen
by
the
bureau
of
land
management,
is
already
listed
as
a
traditional
cultural
property
on
the
national
register
of
historic
places.
It
is
also
an
area
of
critical
environmental
concern.
However,
these
protections
are
only
nominal,
some
would
say
toothless.
P
P
H
F
The
sierra
club
is
committed
to
protecting
the
spiritual
and
cultural
practices
of
native
communities
throughout
the
nation,
and
we
believe
that
this
request
is
a
critical
step
to
ensure
lasting
protection
and
peace
for
the
sacred
water
valley.
For
these
reasons,
we
urge
you
to
vote
yes
on
ajr4.
Thank
you.
H
F
Chair
donatia
and
members
of
the
committee
for
the
record,
this
is
marla
mcgate
williams,
with
strategies
360.
speaking
again
on
behalf
of
the
renal
sparks
indian
colony,
for
all
the
reasons
outlined
by
the
bill's
sponsor
as
well
as
in
my
previous
testimony,
we
want
to
go
on
record
in
support
of
ajr4.
Thank
you.
H
M
My
name
is
jayna,
moan
j-a-I-n-a-m-o-a-n
and
I'm
the
external
affairs
director
for
the
nature
conservancy
in
nevada,
chair,
donate
and
members
of
the
committee.
We
are
here
to
testify
in
support
of
ajr4.
We
recognize
the
importance
of
the
basawabi
for
the
native
peoples
of
nevada
and
support
additional
protections
for
this
culturally
significant
place.
The
conservancy
would
like
to
share
an
additional
reason
for
why
it
is
important
to
conserve
the
bossa
lobby
within
spring
valley.
M
As
indicated
in
written
testimony,
we
submitted
to
the
committee.
The
nature
conservancy
has
recently
mapped
landscapes
in
north
america
that
can
provide
habitat
for
species
as
they
migrate
or
shift
locations
in
response
to
climate
change.
Using
this
data,
the
conservancy
qualitatively
identified
several
climate
resilient
passages
in
nevada,
which
are
networks
of
connected
lands
and
waters
where
nature
can
thrive
in
spite
of
changing
conditions.
M
One
of
those
network
of
connected
landscapes,
which
we
call
the
monsoon
passage
named
for
its
location
at
the
western
edge
of
the
baja
monsoonal
storms,
extends
along
the
valleys
and
ranges
in
eastern
nevada.
Spring
valley
is
a
key
node
of
the
monsoon
passage.
We
think
it
will
provide
multi-generation
refuge
for
plants
and
wildlife
from
drought
and
heat
and
allow
species
to
disperse
across
spring
valley
from
snake
range
to
the
shell.
Creek
range
basawabe
is
a
unique
ecosystem
and
a
micro
habitat,
and
there
is
no
similar
place
anywhere
else.
M
H
A
H
A
H
A
Thank
you,
so
much
bps
assembly
moment
watts,
closing
remarks.
K
Thank
you,
mr
chair
members
of
the
committee,
howard
watts,
for
the
record
and
I'll
be
very
brief.
I
just
want
to
thank
you
again
for
your
time,
attention
and
consideration
and
congratulate
you
on
getting
through
a
robust
agenda
and
I
believe,
under
two
hours.
So
with
that,
I
thank
you
again
and
ask
for
your
support
on
ajr4.
Thank
you.
A
Thank
you
so
much
assemblywoman
watts,
and
I
would
just
want
to
share
my
deep
respect
to
miss
spillsberry
and
mr
steele
for
your
presentations
today.
It
was
very
warming
and
powerful
to
hear
your
testimony
in
their
background
about
this
and
on
both
those,
and
I
think,
it's
important
that
we
continue
to
uplift
issues
and
voices
that
have
been
ignored
for
far
too
long,
and
you
know
I
sincerely
appreciate
assemblyman
walter's
efforts
to
give
some
spotlight
to
indigenous
voices.
So
thank
you,
sir.
A
So,
with
that
I'll
go
ahead
and
close
the
hearing
on
ajr4,
the
committee
will
not
be
taking
any
action
on
that
build
today,
but
I
may
bring
it
back
for
a
future
work
session.
Let's
go
and
close
this
off
with
public
comment,
so
at
this
time
I'll
go
ahead
and
call
for
public
comment.
Please
remember
to
let
me
your
comments
to
two
minutes
each.
Is
there
anyone
in
the
room
or
online
wishing
to
provide
public
comment
at
this.
A
H
A
Thank
you
so
much
members
any
comments
before
we
adjourn
seeing
none.
Our
next
meeting
will
be
tuesday
may
11th
upon
adjournment
of
the
senate
committee
on
judiciary,
and
this
meeting
is
now
adjourned.
Thank
you.