DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES (NEVADA)

The mission of the Department is to conserve, protect, manage, and enhance the Nevada's natural resources in order to provide the highest quality of life for Nevada's citizens and visitors. The Department consists of nine divisions and/or agencies which include: (1) Division of Conservation Districts: Regulates the activities of the state's locally elected conservation districts which work for the conservation and proper development of the state's renewable natural resources by providing services to individual landowners and coordination with other public and private agencies. (2) Division of Environmental Protection (DEP): Responsible for the administration and enforcement of all environmental statutes and regulations; issues permits, monitors for air and water pollution and inspects solid and hazardous waste management. The Division consists of the Bureau of Air Quality, the Bureau of Water Pollution Control, Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation, Bureau of Water Quality Planning, Bureau of Corrective Actions, Bureau of Waste Management, and the Bureau of Federal Facilities. The State Environmental Commission is also part of the Division and is responsible for adopting necessary environmental rules, regulations and plans authorized by statute. (See Appendix E-3 for a more complete description of DEP's functional responsibilities.) (3) Division of Forestry: Manages and coordinates all forestry, nursery, endangered plant species and watershed resource activities on certain public and private lands; responsible for protecting structural and natural resources through fire protection, prevention and suppression. The Division also conducts the Forestry Conservation Camps Program which coordinates and supervises the outside work performed by inmates residing in Department of Prison conservation camps. (4) Division of State Lands: Acquires, holds, and disposes of all state lands and interests in lands; provides technical land-use planning assistance, training, and information to local units of government or other agencies; develops policies and plans for the use of lands under federal management and represents the state in its dealings with the federal land management agencies. (5) Division of State Parks: Plans, develops, and maintains a system of parks and recreational areas for the use and enjoyment of residents and visitors. The Division also preserves areas of scenic, historic, and scientific significance in Nevada. (6) Division of Water Planning: Provides technical, financial and economic assistance to government agencies and individual citizens concerning regional and local water supplies; develops and implements a statewide water resource management plan and policy initiatives on a watershed basis; conducts hydrologic, climatologic, and socioeconomic data collection, research, modeling, forecasting and data analysis; develops and implements water resource public information and education programs; provides technical and financial assistance and outreach programs to assist local governments, watershed planning groups, and other agencies with respect to water resource matters; and develops and implements a statewide water conservation program. (7) Division of Water Resources: Responsible for protecting the health and safety of Nevada citizens through the appropriation of public waters. Other responsibilities include the adjudication of claims of vested water rights; distribution of water in accordance with court decrees; review of water availability for new major construction and housing projects; review of the construction and operation of dams; appropriation of geothermal resources; licensing of well drillers and water right surveyors; review of flood control projects; maintenance of water resource data and records; and providing technical assistance to government boards, offices, and agencies. (8) Division of Wildlife: Preserves, protects, manages and restores