Members of the Natural Resources Management Advisory Commission discussed progress on the Elko County open-space plan and the county water-resource management plan and agreed to steps to solicit public feedback and form a subcommittee for the water plan.

Curtis (staff) said the open-space plan edits are largely formatting and recommended moving demographic information to an appendix to simplify future updates. Vanessa (staff lead on mapping) has been coordinating with the Forest Service, BLM, Elko County GIS, Zachary Ferrara and others to compile mapping resources and said she expects to put a draft map together for public discussion.

"What I'd asked is should we have a public review of that plan perhaps prior to the next NERMAC meeting? So from, say, 04:00 to 06:00, and we could notify the public we're looking for input on this plan," Vanessa said. Commissioners agreed to target a July draft, take feedback at the July meeting and then plan for additional consultation.

On the water-resource management plan, commissioners said the technical component is underway with the Desert Research Institute (DRI) providing technical work; policy updates remain a county task. Commission members discussed creating a small subcommittee to work on water-policy language and accelerate revisions. One commissioner noted urgency because other county plans (including Spring Creek master planning) depend on updated water-policy guidance.

Commissioners also discussed meeting cadence and agreed to hold the next meeting July 28, with further scheduling to be decided. Several commissioners urged that the open-space plan and water plan both receive public input before finalization.

No formal actions were adopted at the meeting; staff will prepare a draft open-space plan for July and place water-plan subcommittee formation on the next agenda as an action item if members want formal formation.