The state's population density is 12 people per square mile. The overall risk to ecosystems is high. Population density has increased 52 percent since 1982. The amount of developed land increased 26 percent between 1982 and 1992. Approximatcly 93 percent of marshes in the Carson-Truckee area of western Nevada have been lost. Fifty-three percent of wetlands have been lost since 1780. The state has 33 federally listed threatened and endangered species.
Biological Diversity Policy
Although Nevada does not have a formal biodiversity policy in place, it has a program geared toward biodiversity protection. The Nevada Biodiversity Research and Conservation Initiative (NBI) is a congressionally funded program working toward enhancement of biological diversity in the state. One of the goals of NBI is to obtain and provide information necessary for land managers, both public and private, to make land management decisions based on science. NBI is a partnership among several state and federal agencies and universities, focusing on research and planning efforts necessary to preserve biotic diversity in the state. The initiative is congressignally funded and receives approximately $1 million annually through the federal Department of the Interior. However, continued funding is uncertain given the current political climate.
Status of Biodiversity Science
Nevada utilizes NBI as its coordinated assessment system. NBI administers GAP and other ecosystem-wide databases. In addition, sensitivity analyses on selected species are conducted through NBI. NBI research also includes additional GIS layers on selected invertebrates, plants, and aquatic resources. The state also utilizes the Natural Heritage database, which contains an inventory of threatened, endangered, and candidate species for listing.
Endangered Species
Nevada has an endangered species law that covers plants and animals. (Nev. Rev. Stat. 503.584 et seq.; 244.386) Listings are based on scientific criteria. Recovery plans, agency consultation and critical habitat designation are not required. In addition, the law specifically protects the American eagle and the golden eagle, and other protected birds. Penalties include fines from $25 to $5,000.
State Agency Management for Biodiversity
State-owned Lands
Nevada is 87% public land. Under one percent of Nevada is managed by the state. No official requirements to plan and manage state lands in a biologically sustainable manner were identified. However, several state agencies induding the Nevada Division of Wildlife are partners in NBI.
Cooperative Efforts
State agencies engage in cooperative efforts to improve land management across ownership boundaries. For example, NBI is a coalition of university, state and federal partners committed to ecosystem management. One of its goals is to work with local, state, and federal agencies to incorporate biotic diversity conservation into their planning process. Nevada is also a member of the Wildlife Violator Compact, allowing participating states to enforce each other's wildlife laws. (Nev. Rev. Stat. 506.010) Nevada and California have a compact agreeing to use shared waters for the protection, preservation and enhancement of fish, wildlife and recreation. (Nev. Rev. Stat. 538.600)
State Agency Training
Nevada has some programs of agency personnel training for biodiversity. Under The Nevada Biodiversity Research and Conservation Initiative, programs to educate and train personnel about biodiversity are conducted.
Impact Assessment
Nevada does not have a "little NEPA." However, by regulation the Division of Wildlife prohibits any change or modification of streams or their vegetational cover if activities would be detrimental to wildlife or its habitat. An application for a proposed modification must include a description of the effects on wildlife habitat, and will be denied if the activities are determined to be detrimental.
Habitat Acquisition
Nevada has a program designed to acquire lands for wildlife values. This program is the result of a ballot initiative in 1990 that provides funding for wildlife and wildlife habitat restoration and preservation. Monies come from the state's general fund, with $5 million allotted for wildlife and wildlife habitat restoration and preservation. No other acquisition programs were identified.
Private Land Conservation
Nevada has few measures to protect private land for wildlife or biodiversity values. However, conservation easements are authorized by statute. (Nev. Rev. Stat. 111.390 et seq.) In addition, memoranda of understanding exist between the Division of Wildlife and private landowners to facilitate habitat conservation programs on private lands.
Exotic Species
Nevada has one provision controlling the introduction and spread of animal exotic species. (Nev. Admin. Code 503) Under this regulation, the state requires a permit for any wildlife, native or nonnative that is imported. Laws related to agriculture regulate pest and noxious species of plants. (Nev. Rev. Stat. 555.010) In addition, the state actively encourages the introduction of exotic species for the purposes of stocking sport game and fish species.
Predator or Animal Damage Control Activities
Nevada's animal damage control activities are conducted in cooperation with the federal government, with the day-to-day operations run by the federal agency. In addition, the state has a compensation program for crop depredation by game species, primarily elk. Private landowners can frighten, herd or kill wildlife that is damaging property. For damage caused by game animals, private property owners can apply for money grants to either prevent the damage or mitigate it, such as through fence building.
Additional Legal Protections for Biodiversity
Nevada has a citizen suit provision allowing any person to sue for violations of air, water and other natural resource laws. (Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. 41.540)
Related Issues
The Nevada Biodiversity Research and Conservation Initiative has a developing public outreach component, which includes a high school curriculum for conservation biology. In addition, the state participates in Project WILD, and published a wildlife viewing guide in 1993.
Nevada does not currently have a takings law. No takings bills were introduced in 1995.
Contacts:
Biological Resources Research Center
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV 89557
702-784-4565
Nevada Division of Wildlife
P.O. Box 10678
Reno, NV 89520
702-688-1500
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
4600 Keitzke Lane C-125
Reno, NV 89502
702-784-5227
New Mexico Center for Wildlife Law
University of New Mexico School of Law
1117 Stanford NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131
(505) 277-5006
lprovenc@unm.edu