7th Largest State

7th Largest State

• 7th Largest State

• 110,567 Sq. Mi.

• 35th Most Populous State

• 2,758,931 people

• 17 Counties

• Nye County 3rd largest county in the US; Elko County 4th largest

• Humboldt County – size of Vermont

• ~ 84% public land

Number of Farms: 3,131

• Number of Farms: 3,131

• Land in Farms: 5,865,392 acres (size of Vermont)

• Average Farm Size: 1,873 acres

The most valuable mined product in the state is gold. Nevada produces about 3/4 of the gold produced in the United States.

• The most valuable mined product in the state is gold. Nevada produces about 3/4 of the gold produced in the United States.

• Tourism in Las Vegas and Reno are essential to Nevada’s economy.

• Agriculture is the third largest industry.

• Nevada unemployment is 12.6%. National unemployment is 8.5%

Nevada's top five agricultural products are cattle and calves, hay, dairy products, onions, and potatoes.

• Nevada's top five agricultural products are cattle and calves, hay, dairy products, onions, and potatoes.

• Hay to feed livestock is the state's biggest crop.

• Cattle and sheep ranching is the primary agricultural activity in Nevada.

1 State Office

• 1 State Office

• 1 Area Office

• 1 Special Projects Office

• 9 Field Offices

• 1 PMC

• Employees:

• FO employees: 37
• SO employees: 27

Structure

• Structure

• State Resource Conservationist
• Rangeland Management Specialist
• Archaeologist
• Agronomist
• Wildlife Biologist
• Resource Conservationist

Water Quantity

• Water Quantity

• Water Quality

• T&E Species - Greater Sage-Grouse

• Bi-state population of Nevada/California will be considered for T&E listing in Sept. 2013
• Southwestern Willow Flycatcher

• Rangeland health

• Noxious/invasive weed control

Nevada is the driest state in the nation. The Nevada Division of Water Planning estimates that urban water use will increase by as much as 45% by the year 2020. As Nevada population grows, the impact of future droughts will become more severe.

• Nevada is the driest state in the nation. The Nevada Division of Water Planning estimates that urban water use will increase by as much as 45% by the year 2020. As Nevada population grows, the impact of future droughts will become more severe.

• NRCS is working with landowners

• to install energy efficient

• systems to conserve water.

Nevada shows some level of water quality impairment, including elevated levels of total phosphorus and nitrogen. Groundwater supplies are contaminated with industrial contaminants or nitrates and bacteria from septic systems and livestock waste.

• Nevada shows some level of water quality impairment, including elevated levels of total phosphorus and nitrogen. Groundwater supplies are contaminated with industrial contaminants or nitrates and bacteria from septic systems and livestock waste.

• Practices implemented to protect water quality:

• Waste Storage Facility
• Structure for Water Control
• Pest Management
• Mulching

Much of Nevada is considered an extreme wildfire hazard environment. Decades of large-scale wildfires have caused long-term changes in vegetation and impaired key wildlife habitats. As result, forest and rangeland health has declined.

• Much of Nevada is considered an extreme wildfire hazard environment. Decades of large-scale wildfires have caused long-term changes in vegetation and impaired key wildlife habitats. As result, forest and rangeland health has declined.

Noxious weeds are a major threat to plant and animal diversity and water quality protection. Noxious weeds are becoming serious problems on forest, range, agricultural, and wetlands throughout Nevada.  

• Noxious weeds are a major threat to plant and animal diversity and water quality protection. Noxious weeds are becoming serious problems on forest, range, agricultural, and wetlands throughout Nevada.  

• Improved Irrigation Efficiency: 184,841 acres

• Improved Cropland Health: 23,993 acres

• Improved Rangeland Health: 369,356 acres

• High Tunnels (three-year data): 52 contracts

• $234,838 obligated

Conservation Planning

• Conservation Planning

• CDSI

• Cleanup
• Installation

• Job Approval Authority

• Importance

Partnerships

• Partnerships

• Agreements
• BLM
• College of Agriculture

Shared Biologist Positions

• Shared Biologist Positions

• Pheasants Forever/ Nevada Department of Wildlife
• Elko
• Ely
• Winnemucca (pending)
• Nevada Department of Wildlife
• Reno
• Elko
• US Fish and Wildlife Service
• Minden

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NRI

• NRI

• Private Land: 61 points (field)
• Public Land: 314 points (field)
• 223 points (on line)

•  

• 590

Program Contracts Acres Dollars Obligated

• Program Contracts Acres Dollars Obligated
• AMA 14 23 $ 62,713
• CSP 26 71,394 $ 554,892
• EQIP 156 1,100,995 $10,582,446
• SGI 15 328,964 $ 1,595,787
• WHIP 8 4,367 $ 133,853
• Program Easement Enrollment Acres Dollars
• FRPP 1 4,196 $5,400,000
• GRP 1 712 $2,218,565
• WRP 2 6,136 $3,335,625

Closing Efficiency and Restoration:

• Closing Efficiency and Restoration:

• 100 percent closed on 2011 and prior year enrollments for all easement programs.
• 20 percent closed on 2012 enrollments for second quarter for all easement programs.
• 1 WRP restoration agreement on a closed easement to complete in FY 2013.
• 3 restoration agreements to commence construction activities in FY 2013.

Sage-Grouse Initiative

• Sage-Grouse Initiative
• High Tunnel Initiative - EQIP and AMA
• National Water Quality Initiative
• Energy Initiative
• StrikeForce Initiative
• Working Lands for Wildlife – Sage-Grouse and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher
• 2012 Drought Initiative
• Organic

Active Contracts - 362

• Active Contracts - 362

• AMA 2008 - 20
• CSP 2002 - 29
• CStP 2008 - 53
• EQIP 2002 - 20
• EQIP 2008 - 206
• WHIP 2002 - 1
• WHIP 2008 - 33

64 of 206 EQIP Contracts are LR/BF/SD

• 64 of 206 EQIP Contracts are LR/BF/SD
• 31%
• 2008 EQIP - 107 of 112 contracts developed with LR/BF/SD producers are active or have been completed.
• 96% (4% cancellation rate)

Nevada working closely with Oregon to conserve sage-grouse habitat that was impacted by wildfires in 2011 and 2012.

• Nevada working closely with Oregon to conserve sage-grouse habitat that was impacted by wildfires in 2011 and 2012.
• Monitoring Prescribed Grazing
• Brush Management
• Watering Facilities
• Nevada working closely with California Wetlands Team to complete WRP restoration planning for sage-grouse

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Quick Facts

• Quick Facts

• Sage-Grouse Initiative Contracts: 21

• Sage-Grouse Habitat Restored: 328,964 acres (private and public land)

• Pinyon-Juniper Removed: 8,000 acres

• Fence Marked: 80,226 feet

• Sage-Grouse Initiative Obligations: $2,164,199

• Easements:

• FRPP: 1 4,000 acres
• GRP: 2 1,987 acres
• WRP: 5 9.842 acres

Significant number of farmers and ranchers have met their $300K Farm Bill payment limits

• Significant number of farmers and ranchers have met their $300K Farm Bill payment limits
• Some differences with payment schedule scenarios with Idaho, Oregon and California
• Identification of suitable watersheds for National Water Quality Initiative

Structure

• Structure

• State Conservation Engineer GS-13
• One GS-12 engineer (State Office)
• Two GS-11 engineers (Field Offices)
• One GS-9 engineer (Field Office)
• One GS-10 CET (Field Office)

• Engineering Backlog

• Background information
• Backlog resolution (short term/long term)

Engineering Job Approval Authority

• Engineering Job Approval Authority

• Signature update every 3 years
• Updates as needed

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• Snow Survey Program

• GS-12 Hydrologist
• Funding directly from NHQ with support from State
• Providing monthly water supply outlook reports for Nevada
• 66 SNOTEL sites (automated) & 38 Snow Courses (manual readings)
• 16 aerial markers automated to improve efficiency, provide additional data, and enable customers to have faster access to data

Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP)

• Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP)

• Virgin River EWP (City of Mesquite - $945,000 Diversion Structure)
• 2011 Caughlin Fire
• 2012 Washoe Fire

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Watersheds Assessment/Rehabilitation

• Watersheds Assessment/Rehabilitation

• 4 watershed dams located in City of Reno (West Wash, East Wash, Upper Peavine, and Lower Peavine)
• West Wash Dam was chosen for rehab funding
• $280,000 requested for planning
• 3 watershed dams located in City of Elko (Eight Mile Creek, Fifth Street, South Side Wash)

• DamWatch

• States to upload all data by February 28, 2013
• Software is scheduled to deploy April 1, 2013

Structure

• Structure
• Number of Offices: 3
• State Soil Scientist: Vacant
• Soil Scientists: 5
• (3 vacancies)
• Ecological Site Specialist: 1
• Number of MRLAs serviced: 6
• Number of States: 5

Accomplishments

• Accomplishments

• SS Reports Completed: 46
• Acres Mapped: 2,275,126
• Reimbursable Agreements: 3
• Reimbursable Contributions: $175,000
• Reorganization – impact on Nevada

Structure

• Structure

• Assistant State Conservationist

Absolute staffing levels have dropped 17% since 2010

• Absolute staffing levels have dropped 17% since 2010
• Total field support has risen 4% since 2010
• The percentage of field/technical support to total overhead continues to fall:
• 29% in 2011
• 16% in 2012
• 11% in 2013

KPM goals and achievements

• KPM goals and achievements

• 2.10 irrigation efficiency

Since 2010, and the achievement of KPMs goals (>90%) and 2.10 (a Nevada KPM) has risen from the achievement of 7 of the 9 KPM targets (2011) to 8 of the 9 KPMs (2012).

• Since 2010, and the achievement of KPMs goals (>90%) and 2.10 (a Nevada KPM) has risen from the achievement of 7 of the 9 KPM targets (2011) to 8 of the 9 KPMs (2012).
• While Farm Bill Programs FA obligations have risen in the period, this has been accomplished with lower staffing levels (FTEs) through time, essentially doing more with less.
• A paradigm shift may be required to make the leap to the next ‘efficiency curve’ or pathway.

Nevada has engaged in a mentoring program as a formal communication pathway to promote self and situational awareness.

• Nevada has engaged in a mentoring program as a formal communication pathway to promote self and situational awareness.
• The Nevada State Leadership Team is in a position to provide mission support – the training and tools to get the job done, on time, and completed to an expected standard of quality.
• Other activities include:
• Annual Spot Checks per policy
• Field Office Core Function Reviews

National Civil Rights Review conducted in February 2011

• National Civil Rights Review conducted in February 2011
• two findings; both were addressed within the agreed-to timeframe, and certified by the Director of the CRD.
• Nevada conducts an internal continuous review process to serve as an orientation and training opportunity, and fostering relationships with a number of Historically Underserved producers permitting Nevada to leverage Strike Force efforts.

Structure

• Structure

• Manager
• Farm Technician

• Accomplishments – FY12 Highlights

• Final year of ‘Sandberg’ Bluegrass Trial (USFS)
• 2nd year of ‘Searles Prairie Clover’ Study (ARS)
• 2nd year of ‘Bottlebrush Squirreltail’ Trial (NRCS)
• Completed Monarch Butterfly Pollinator Trial (Xerces Society)

Structure

• Structure

• State Administrative Officer
• Contracting Officer
• Purchasing Agent
• Budget Officer
• Budget Analyst
• Supply Clerk

FY 12/13 Initial Allocation Comparisons

• FY 12/13 Initial Allocation Comparisons

• Not a Regional Equity State
• 9% less in TA Discretionary
• 28% less in TA Mandatory and 5% more in FA
• Soils reduction accounts for 77% of total reduction
• Sequestration projection additional ($336,205)

 Fleet Cards

•  Fleet Cards

• Implemented a monthly review process of Fleet Card activities through SharePoint

•  Vehicle Fleet

• Continuing efforts to meet the established reduction target
• Evaluating the assignment of Fleet Vehicles to determine additional reductions
• Reduced fleet by 5% (3 vehicles)

•  

IT Equipment

• IT Equipment

• Reduced Telecommunications Equipment by 33%
• canceled services on bag phones and satellite phones

•  

• Purchase Cards

• Reduced number of assigned purchased cards by 54% (from eleven to five)
• Implemented a monthly review process of Purchase Card activities through SharePoint

•  

Undelivered Orders / Unfilled Customer Orders

• Undelivered Orders / Unfilled Customer Orders

• Ensuring Obligations are entered and adjusted in a timely manner
• Ensuring liquidations are processed timely
• Work with COTRs and/or appropriate staff to proactively review unliquidated obligations to ensure obligations are valid

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Improper Payments

• Improper Payments

• Working with COTRs and/or appropriate staff to ensure documentation is received prior to processing payments.

•  

• WebTCAS

• Reduced Timekeeper roles by 83% from twenty-four to four.

Segregation of Duties:

• Segregation of Duties:

• Reviewing user role assignments regularly for all systems (IAS, PROP, GovTrip, WebTCAS, FMMI, etc.) to ensure proper segregation of duties are maintained throughout the Procurement and Financial areas.

296 Active Contracts: $19,807.980.85

• 296 Active Contracts: $19,807.980.85

• 214 Contracts funded in 2012

• $10,358,000.00
• 59% increase from 3 previous years

• 289 Applications for 2013

• 11 Easements

• FRPP: 5
• WRP: 4
• GRP: 2

Special Projects

• Special Projects

• Nevada/Oregon Sage-Grouse & Fire Rehab Effort
• 8 Applications
• 40,067 Acres of Sage-Grouse Habitat
• 17,813 Acres has burned

Huge Service Areas

• Huge Service Areas
• Lengthy Travel Distances
• Large Percentage of Public Land
• No Technical Area Staff

Water Quality Initiative

• Water Quality Initiative

Recently honored by the Fish and Wildlife Service and Department of Wildlife for efforts that prevented the Amargosa Toad from being listed as an endangered species.

• Recently honored by the Fish and Wildlife Service and Department of Wildlife for efforts that prevented the Amargosa Toad from being listed as an endangered species.

Working with small farmers, farmers markets, and local restaurants through the Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative. Small farms play a significant role in southern Nevada.

• Working with small farmers, farmers markets, and local restaurants through the Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative. Small farms play a significant role in southern Nevada.

• The Governor’s Ag Report recently showed that Clark County (Las Vegas) contributes the highest economic benefit for agriculture in the state.