HOME	MEMBERSHIP	OFFICERS & STAFF	POLICY	SAGE SIGNALS	CALENDAR	COFFEE SHOP
	JOIN NCA	LEGISLATURE	CONVENTION	BULL SALE	RAFFLE	LINKS

April 2010

NCA Monitoring Many Issues
Currently Facing Ranching Industry

by Meghan Brown

There are many issues that are facing the ranching industry. Currently Nevada Cattlemen’s Association has been monitoring and working on the sage grouse listing, potential monument designations, UNR CABNR potential closure, state water rights, EAJA legislation, and state budget cuts relating to agriculture.

On March 5, 2010 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the greater sage-grouse as warranted to be precluded. This means the bird is warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act but listing the species at this time is precluded because of the need to address higher priority species. This means that on an annual basis the greater sage-grouse will be evaluated for potential listing. Currently under the precluded status the greater sage-grouse will not receive statutory protection under the ESA and individual states will continue to be responsible for managing the bird.

Each year studies and data will be collected to help the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service make a decision to either list, delist, or maintain the precluded status. As ranchers and private lands owners now is the time to work with state and federal land agencies on conservation projects that will help enhance habitat and populations of this species. Many on the state and national level are working to create safe harbor language for individuals who participate in conservation programs, allowing protection to ranches that have participated in conservation programs, if the bird were to be listed. If habitat conditions and population numbers rebound sufficiently in the time since the last review, it is possible for the species to return to normal status.

The Department of Agriculture will provide $16 million to farmers and ranchers in Nevada and other states for projects this year that will help improve sage grouse habitat and bolster sage grouse populations. The funds will be made available through the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, both administered by the Department of Agriculture.

The new funding made available by the Department of Agriculture will provide grants to Nevada’s farmers and ranchers on a voluntary basis. That money will be used for projects like new fencing for grazing rotation, reflectors that keep the sage grouse from flying into fences, and predator control. Nevada producers must apply to receive the funding. Work completed through these programs will help improve sage grouse habitat and protect existing leks.

Landowners will receive cost-share payments for implementing conservation measures to improve greater sage-grouse habitat. For example, payment rates for removing pinyon and juniper trees in 2010 will be from $200-$600 per acre, depending on the method of removal. NRCS reimburses participants once the conservation practice has been successfully implemented. Program participants may choose to do the work themselves or hire it out.

Priority will be given to removing encroached pinyon and juniper trees within sage-grouse habitat, especially within 3 miles of active lek sites, and for range seeding within sage-grouse habitat affected by wildfire. Removing or retrofitting fences and installing wildlife escape ramps are also high priorities. For more information, contact your local NRCS office or go online to www.nv.nrcs.usda.gov .

The Supreme Court in January ruled the state engineer’s office failed to follow the law and make a ruling on the application of the water authority in Spring Valley in Eastern Nevada within the required one year after the close of protests. This ruling overturned the previous decision of the District Court affirming the decision of the state engineer’s office for approval of 40,000 acre-feet a year from Spring Valley.

Immediately after the Supreme Court ruling came out, SNWA refiled their applications in rural Nevada to acquire an estimated 250,000 acre-feet to serve populous Clark County.

Currently there are thousands of pending water rights in which the state engineer’s office has not acted on with the “one year” provision. Some feel that because of the Supreme Court’s ruling that these water rights are in jeopardy.

On March 16, 2010 a televised hearing was held by the State Division of Water Resources to hear the views from the public on how to proceed on this issue. During the 2010 Special Session a bill was brought before the Senate regarding changing Nevada Water Law so that the thousands of pending water rights possibly affected by the Supreme Court’s decision would not be affected. This bill was not passed, however a memorandum was sent to the State Division of Water Resources to work quickly to resolve this issue.

Jessica Prunty, an attorney representing NV Energy, Helen Foley of Pardee Homes in Las Vegas, Michael Johnson of the Virgin Valley Water District, Danny Thompson of the Nevada AFL-CIO and former state engineers Mike Turnipseed and Hugh Ricci, all supported calling a special session of the Legislature to resolve this matter.

Opposing a special legislative session included Simeon Herskovits, representing the Great Basin Water Network, which had filed suit against the water authority getting the water in Spring Valley, along with Nevada Cattlemen’s Association. Herskovits suggested the decision applied only to the special set of circumstances in the Spring Valley case. “Rushing to a legislative response is inappropriate,” he said.

The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association weighed in on the matter. Dave Baker, Chairman of the Private Lands committee, read this statement into the record:

The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association has some serious reservations regarding a possible bill in response to the recent Supreme Court ruling on water right applications in Nevada. Our Association would prefer that no legislative action be taken on this matter until the courts have the opportunity to act again. We feel that the court process should be allowed to take place.

The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association does not support a bill regarding the high court’s decision on this issue during a Special Session of the Legislature. We understand that the intentions of the Legislature are to protect Nevada’s citizens and their interests. However, we feel that this matter may be more adequately addressed during a regular session of the Nevada Legislature, if necessary, but only after the courts have made their ruling.

In the event a bill is drafted and does move forward, whether in special session or regular session, the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association respectfully requests that it be allowed to be included in the process of creating this legislation.

The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association thanks you for your service to our state in this time of crisis and also thanks you for your consideration in this matter.

Sincerely,

Ron Cerri

President, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association

———————————

The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association is looking for graduating seniors interested in pursuing an agriculture education to apply for the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association annual scholarship. The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association will be giving this year’s outstanding graduating senior a $1,000 scholarship to attend any junior college or four-year University to study in an agriculture related field. The deadline for all applications is May 7, 2010.

Each scholarship applicant will be required to meet the following requirements:

Have at least a 2.5 GPA and submit official copy of transcripts.

Submit three letters of reference from teachers.

Write an essay on any current issue involving the beef industry. The typed essay must be at least 1000 words and no more than 1500 words, plus references.

The deadline for scholarship applications is May 7, 2010.

The heritage of Nevada is ranching. The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association believes the future of our industry lies in the education of the generations to come, as we explore new and innovative methods of sustainability. “This scholarship is just one avenue for NCA to show it’s committed to protecting the future of ranching by encouraging younger generations to study in an agricultural related field,” stated, Dan Gralian, Chairman of NCA’s Research and Education Committee.

Eligible graduating seniors should contact Nevada Cattlemen’s Association for more information about the scholarship at 1-775-738-9214 or email the office nca@nevadabeef.org. To mail in an application please mail to: Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, Research and Education Committee, PO Box 310, Elko NV 89803.

Scholarship Application Form

 

RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE