[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6332499,"mediaKeyId","2307026-1a0f86c2146b5fe92aba3c851adb6eb5","parentId",2307026,"title","State engineer proposes AB 26 to modernize dam‑safety statutes; committee hears neutral comments","audioSeconds",3562,"startMs",2685080,"endMs",6247220,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2307026-1a0f86c2146b5fe92aba3c851adb6eb5&start=2685&end=6247","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2307026-1a0f86c2146b5fe92aba3c851adb6eb5/thumbnail_2685080.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6332499/Nevada/State-engineer-proposes-AB-26-to-modernize-damsafety-statutes-committee-hears-neutral-comments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332499-a93b3e73ecc4572f0f5b3e2f5ca2e4c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142409&Signature=ljljbAj50Y1IrFqEmBzSMa7kqhIw02ZZpSbe3VzL-ime1VwcVxv8IK4shetjpTnRelaifgkx~LSbZzccRzkI~de81GpWsNSL-FlZdb5Zidt3ulL~tM8jPjH9K6udFJwMi4zPIvfYZhFtYzlbWERUR-Jj7-zwmE3phmVILx2x1nXXnleUE1cVS7PGJAsU3ynVH1jsAMxrKz7IXj8Wp9Is0-DsDoD-BRm~F-qkFROHetNWIqTSCpJGVnjHbpW~mD511rLyW~Tmswr0kx7eSp2eD6im3DkFR6qjg4SB~xuIzIlpkKeQgAerNm~lsBl9QDT~qWdvwS4VQg2KtnB1jQddUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nevada Legislature","date","2025-02-12T00:00:00Z","article","State Engineer Adam Sullivan presented Assembly Bill 26 to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on Feb. 10, proposing updates to Nevada’s dam‑safety statutes (NRS chapter 535) to align state law with industry standards and current practices, and to clarify the division’s inspection and approval authorities.

Sullivan told the committee the division currently regulates 658 dams in Nevada and categorizes them by hazard (high, significant, low). He said the dam‑safety group performs roughly 200 inspections per year, reviews about 15–20 modification or new‑dam applications annually, and aims to ensure emergency action plans exist for all high and significant hazard dams.

Major changes proposed in AB 26: Sullivan described several types of statutory updates in the bill. Among them are (1) clarifying that dams not meeting simple height or capacity thresholds may still be jurisdictional if they create high or significant hazard (for example, small dams in series); (2) allowing digital submittals and removing triplicate plan submission requirements; (3) clarifying land‑access language for inspections and streamlining notice procedures to owners; and (4) adding liability‑protection language for staff performing inspections, emergency response or enforcement actions consistent with existing chapter 41 protections. Sullivan said removing the phrase \"authorized agents\" from that immunity provision would address concerns raised in committee and is a likely friendly amendment.

Funding and program capacity: Sullivan said dam‑safety work is funded in part by FEMA’s National Dam Safety Program grant and by a dam‑storage fee collected from non‑agricultural reservoirs (the fee currently flows to the state general fund). He said the division is interested in restructuring fee receipts to better support dam safety programs and owner assistance and suggested additional statewide engineering risk assessments could be done with dedicated funding.

Federal jurisdiction and exemptions: The bill clarifies that dams under federal jurisdiction (for example, Bureau of Reclamation or Army Corps of Engineers) are not subject to dual state oversight while they remain federally regulated; committee members asked whether FERC or other federal entities should be explicitly added to that list. Sullivan acknowledged those agencies could be added by amendment but noted federal exemptions raise public‑safety considerations about response and local coordination.

Public comment and reactions: The Great Basin Water Network registered neutral testimony by phone raising concern about any moves to add explicit FERC language because of an ongoing controversial project in White Pine County. The Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter’s director delivered neutral remarks in person; both organizations said they remained neutral on the bill as written but would scrutinize amendments affecting federal‑jurisdiction dams.

Ending: Sullivan closed by reiterating AB 26 aims to align statute with existing dam‑safety practice, not to expand regulatory authority, and committee members signaled possible technical amendments (removing \"authorized agents,\" and clarifying federal exemptions) for future consideration. No committee vote was recorded at the hearing.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2/12/2025 - Assembly Committee on Natural Resources","oneSentenceSummary","State Engineer Adam Sullivan told the Assembly Natural Resources Committee AB 26 would update NRS chapter 535 to match modern dam‑safety standards, streamline plan submittals and inspection procedures, and clarify liability protections and federal‑jurisdiction exemptions.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NV, Nevada","taxId",78440,"location","Nevada","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6332504,"State engineer: Nevada needs updated groundwater data, warns many basins are over‑appropriated",1099,2429270,3528550,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2307026-1a0f86c2146b5fe92aba3c851adb6eb5&start=2429&end=3528","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2307026-1a0f86c2146b5fe92aba3c851adb6eb5/thumbnail_2429270.jpg","/articles/6332504/Nevada/State-engineer-Nevada-needs-updated-groundwater-data-warns-many-basins-are-overappropriated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332504-f5162abdd5306a97c382ee983e1f7c9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142409&Signature=mlO~xRaIhsUeUushW5UFAAsdewAOIzV-lfE1op01H-813S1hFLB-9nsWd4dFaXPfJ6D8-WDkpv4SRDGnmUBq2ObT8qdx10qxfAjuKt5I09cTloooLwyS5tvT2NGp~LKteAomk8WBownZhUpuQkcFlV91ek8C-3lpM~N~zetFiaTHgTD8qR3ZIdMpuzG-0vQVN3eve66O~yHDu78yliMiRzDcLgFyN4sNy4z4A5jPEIv4LzbPs1atz803bBq7ikZh~~Av9D5B3Zd6aPlqLTBKp9zJbolXpfyKgCaZNdxixTjQfoaPeJ16Atn6SkyjqzQ~9xE~JWMaGdFuw7j~ToA4ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Adam Sullivan, Nevada State Engineer and principal administrator of the Division of Water Resources, briefed the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on Feb. 10 about the state’s water‑law framework, groundwater use patterns, and the need to modernize baseline data used for water‑availability decisions.

Sullivan opened by noting Nevada is \"the driest state in the nation\" and explained that most consumptive use in Nevada comes from surface water, while about a third comes from groundwater. He told the committee a statewide water‑use inventory for 2021 shows roughly 67 percent of groundwater use is for irrigation, about 8–10 percent for mining and municipal uses, and that total appropriations on paper exceed measured use by a large margin in many basins.

Key points to policymakers: Sullivan said water administration is guided by prior appropriation (\"first in time, first in right\"), beneficial use, and the statutory \"use it or lose it\" principles. He warned that many administrative basins are administratively overappropriated and that roughly half of basins are over‑pumped by perennial yield measures, though local conditions differ and perennial yield is only one indicator.

On data and records, Sullivan said the Division has scanned more than 60,000 maps and is incrementally adding digital filing and payment options, but that most baseline hydrogeologic studies are 50 to 70 years old and require updates. He recommended investments in the Nevada Water Initiative, digitization, cross‑training staff (the division added 10 positions last session and has a vacancy rate under 10 percent), and expanded monitoring to improve the water‑budget science used to evaluate new appropriations.

Committee members asked about retention of hard copies, digital application filing, measurement of recharge, and funding. Sullivan said the division has not disposed of original paper files; scanned maps are stored and some are archived. He said digital submittals for maps and certain claims are accepted and the office is working toward accepting full digital applications and additional online payments.

Ending: Sullivan recommended careful review of proposed water bills for alignment with Nevada water law, impacts on existing users and the resource, precedent and administrative burdens, and whether a bill addresses root causes or creates narrow exceptions. He urged legislative investment in data modernization and monitoring to reduce future conflicts over water rights.

","State Engineer Adam Sullivan told the Assembly Natural Resources Committee that Nevada remains the driest state, that existing appropriations exceed sustainable supplies in many basins, and that investment in updated groundwater science and digitization is needed to prevent conflict and guide policy.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6332509,"Assembly hears AB 86 to clarify 'logging' vs. 'cutting' language after Tahoe concerns",811,1578020,2389690,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2307026-1a0f86c2146b5fe92aba3c851adb6eb5&start=1578&end=2389","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2307026-1a0f86c2146b5fe92aba3c851adb6eb5/thumbnail_1578020.jpg","/articles/6332509/Nevada/Assembly-hears-AB-86-to-clarify-logging-vs-cutting-language-after-Tahoe-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332509-9ac726ab15a518507246ca4192293cc0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142409&Signature=Uw3nKwlHQLX1X8Y-EsE0w~JhXoM1qTTskUGoq3wpVPve0qkk0Pr8-oxHhMy4KOSpAcTiLU3Kh9ICncalrFkl3w2PKqxLXkfblGHhUbNilO-T1m381pd3BTAJ3CZTsvZVf3joBOunNi2F52CauqE1dS439eLQel262Wee6y7tZMwp9Zi4lebAwDdOpJ3hAZrEfJOXCj8XenCSOSAwZilpERISUaetK5tdqpwTx0bQTz6kXPKCsGEyGUahB8DvwGTb-7YEUNWX6tt~hpyTBtzBQ0Pw89fqaMcsGWXadu~KV~y6uBbo6ADCXadQMIsLt3Y~vZJsfyDokShsfM0sTp6UYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember Ken Gray introduced Assembly Bill 86 to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on Feb. 10, asking the committee to amend statute to clarify the scope of logging permits and to add a specific definition for \"cutting operation.\" The bill presentation was accompanied by Casey Casey, State Forester Fire Warden, who said the change is primarily cleanup to address an unintended consequence of a 2017 change to the statutory definition of \"logging.\"

What the bill would do: Casey said AB 86 removes “cutting practices” from a statutory logging definition so that routine homeowner fuel‑reduction activities—limbing lower branches and removing small material for defensible space—are not captured by the commercial logging regulatory regime. The division proposed adding a definition of “cutting operation” that mirrors but differs from the logging definition; the division’s staff explained the key distinction is whether material is being loaded onto trucks for commercial removal.

Committee discussion and clarification: Deputy Administrator Ryan Shane told the committee, \"The key there is loading onto trucks,\" saying the 2017 definition change focused regulation on removal of whole logs shipped offsite for commercial processing. Casey and Ryan said the bill does not intend to remove TRPA (Tahoe Regional Planning Agency) or other applicable local/regional oversight in the Tahoe Basin; rather, it aims to eliminate duplicative or confusing references and make permit language sharper across the rest of the state.

Assemblymembers pressed for placement and statutory detail. Assemblymember DeLong asked whether the definition would be inserted into NRS 528; committee witnesses confirmed the definition would be added to the statute's definitions section. Assemblymember Karas sought clarification about the difference between a commercial cutting operation and logging; Casey and Ryan emphasized the distinction involves the scale and the act of putting logs onto trucks for commercial transport rather than small‑scale landowner fuel reduction.

Testimony: There were no members of the public present or calling in to testify for, against, or neutral on AB 86 during the hearing; Assemblymember Gray closed with brief remarks and the committee moved on.

Ending: The hearing concluded without a recorded vote; committee members indicated they may consider suggested clarifications and statutory placement in follow‑up work.

","AB 86, presented by Assemblymember Ken Gray with the State Forester, seeks to remove ambiguous 'cutting' language and add a definition for 'cutting operation' to avoid unintentionally requiring permits for homeowners doing defensible‑space work while preserving commercial permitting and TRPA oversight in the Tahoe Basin.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6332514,"Nevada Division of Forestry reports lower acreage burned in 2024, pushes shared-stewardship expansion",793,206800,1000070,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2307026-1a0f86c2146b5fe92aba3c851adb6eb5&start=206&end=1000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2307026-1a0f86c2146b5fe92aba3c851adb6eb5/thumbnail_206800.jpg","/articles/6332514/Nevada/Nevada-Division-of-Forestry-reports-lower-acreage-burned-in-2024-pushes-shared-stewardship-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332514-c6075b03d5f7ad874bc1b00811805edb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142409&Signature=kTq2EEC4qOotFVIbn85nAgDZKu7yhUQhUEAIIBd0STcfTJmEGSI1UjOldDsYf1enGy8A3ZBvqKIBQTnVtT9Y1gNXw5SDQhQQNuNYHFe5VRO26pND7RWXIfHgCxSXauc0DfG-jPrxVZI9cV8NrkSnSiETcTfUoUZiPZlkM3~4efGObk3rHEg6N2nrxZJ3c6Kf1nu7h1lB9z-e57699ZhfoIK4AJcKw7Eknc-KsjGBEPNDNP4aQk-6qGBRYhwLmN~Jn~u5qNsUHuU9K5-kr3-pbRHPoxNPjVVbHCVVDs6-PoU2bVcLHDWGxf5ucX1ypk16cMwZV~m1axthgp~nPqnTMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Forester Fire Warden Casey Casey told the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources on Feb. 10 that Nevada’s 2024 wildfire season was below the state’s 30‑year average and that the Division of Forestry (NDF) is pushing to scale up planned treatments through its shared‑stewardship partnerships.

Casey said the division recorded about 103,000 burn acres in 2024 versus a 30‑year average of roughly 450,000 acres, 760 fire starts, and an initial attack success rate of 97 percent. He told the committee NDF received six Federal Emergency Management Agency Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAG) for large incidents and delivered an estimated 269,000 gallons of water via state and contracted aircraft.

The presentation emphasized staffing and program changes since 2023. Casey said vacancy rates fell from about 22 percent to 13 percent in one year and that the agency converted 34 former inmate‑camp positions into 42 firefighter positions; those crews were reported 76 percent staffed at the hearing. He said vacancies remain mainly in higher‑level firefighter‑II positions in rural locations.

Why this matters: Casey framed the workforce and partnership gains as necessary to sustain initial attack capacity and increase fuels‑reduction work. He described the shared‑stewardship agreement as a multi‑agency effort that has stood up seven of 13 defined priority landscapes and brought approximately $117,000,000 in federal investment into those landscapes over the first five years.

Supporting details included program metrics and constraints. Casey said the seven active landscapes reported more than 390,000 acres treated over five years, and the current five‑year plans for those landscapes show roughly $64,000,000 more work identified. He said NDF expects to treat about 190,000 acres in the seven active landscapes in the most recent year, roughly 70,000 acres more than the prior year.

On causes and prevention, Casey said about two‑thirds of last year’s ignitions were human caused and that the division targets prevention messaging to trends such as target shooting and illegal campfires. He said the division is working with the U.S. Forest Service on a joint ‘‘fire use’’ crew that managed the Broom Canyon fire near Ely for nearly 80 days to meet resource objectives.

Committee members asked about local participation in NDF programs, tribal partnerships, and equipment transfers. Casey said nearly all local governments participate in the Wildland Fire Protection Program (only Boulder City and North Las Vegas were not participating at the time of the hearing) and described programs that transfer excess vehicles, radios and other equipment to tribes and local partners. He said NDF screens and refurbishes excess federal equipment when possible and recently provided water tenders and engines to some tribal entities.

Ending: Casey closed by saying fuel moisture, precipitation and snowpack remain uncertain and will affect the coming season; he urged continued investment in staff, treatment capacity and interagency coordination.

","State Forester Casey Casey told the Assembly Natural Resources Committee Nevada had a below-average fire year in 2024, highlighted staffing gains after inmate camp program losses, and said the state aims to expand shared-stewardship treatments across 13 priority landscapes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

State engineer proposes AB 26 to modernize dam‑safety statutes; committee hears neutral comments

State engineer: Nevada needs updated groundwater data, warns many basins are over‑appropriated

Assembly hears AB 86 to clarify 'logging' vs. 'cutting' language after Tahoe concerns

Nevada Division of Forestry reports lower acreage burned in 2024, pushes shared-stewardship expansion