RCI has been selected to assist Carson City in EPA’s Brownfield Program for community outreach. Carson City has received $400,000 from the EPA’s Brownfields Program, and the money will help the city find and clean up hazardous contamination that may exist in the city’s redevelopment district. From the Nevada Appeal:

Carson City has received $400,000 in Environmental Protection Agency grants intended to address potential contamination issues within the city’s redevelopment districts.

The Brownfields assessment grants will provide $200,000 for investigating hazardous substances and $200,000 for assessing petroleum contamination on targeted commercial properties within the redevelopment districts, said Marvin Tebeau, a principal in charge of environmental issues with Resource Concepts, Inc.

According to the EPA, brownfields are properties whose “expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant.”

In Carson City’s case, Tebeau estimates initial environmental assessments could be conducted on 15 properties, which might have been contaminated at some point by a commercial enterprise such as a gas station, paint shop or dry cleaners. Vacant buildings could also be studied for contamination from lead-based paint or asbestos, Tebeau said.

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When someone wants to buy or develop a commercial or industrial property, the lending institution usually wants to know what environmental liabilities may be present, he said.

After the initial assessments, Tebeau said there likely will be five sites selected for collecting soil and groundwater samples and lab analyses.

“There won’t be any pressure by government entities,” he said. “There will be a lot of scheduling latitude to remediate the contamination.”

According to the eligibility criteria for the program, “private entities investing private capital are primary beneficiaries of program dollars. However, on a case-by-case basis, funds may be used by a local unit of government if the proposed public project demonstrates economic impact benefiting the community.”

The criteria also stipulates that “proposed projects need to demonstrate the potential for capital investments, facilitate new or retained jobs and increase tax revenues.”

The Carson City Brownfields Grant Program Workplan will be presented to the Redevelopment Authority Citizens Committee at

5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.

At the kick-off meeting, the EPA Brownfields Grant Program and the locally retained consultants: Geocon Consultants, Inc. and Resource Concepts, Inc. will be introduced. The meeting also will include an introduction to the potential project areas within Carson City.

RCI is providing the outreach and phase 1 work. Brownfields information will be posted on the city’s website at www.carson.org.

Carson City and Lyon County officials will cut the ribbon May 22 to ceremonially launch new boating facilities for whitewater rafting and kayaking that have opened on the Carson River Aquatic Trail between Carson City and Dayton.

For the first time, boaters have a developed area to put into the river at Morgan Mill Road in Carson City. The area offers a concrete launching ramp, paved parking, picnic tables and a restroom, and similarly improved facilities to take out of the river at Santa Maria Ranch in Dayton.

Design work for these new facilities was done by Resource Concepts, Inc. George Mahe designed the boat launch area and accompanying picnic area and parking lot. Marvin Tebeau did the sampling and analysis plan due to the area being in the Carson River Mercury Superfund Site. And the improvements were recommended in the Carson River Aquatic Trail Plan that RCI completed in 2006.

“Boaters will have a much safer and more convenient experience putting into the Carson River from Morgan Mill than ever before,” Director Roger Moellendorf of the Carson City Parks and Recreation Department said. “These new facilities represent a milestone for whitewater recreation on the Carson River.” The Morgan Mill Road River Access Area is a Carson City Parks and Recreation Department facility.

The public is invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. (Saturday, May 22) and tour new Morgan Mill facilities, just upstream of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management offices at Deer Run and Morgan Mill roads, south of U.S. Highway 50 East. The Carson River Aquatic Trail has two segments:

• The 3.3-mile Upper River Class I float is a peaceful 1.5 to 2-hour ride from Carson River Park through cottonwood and willow-lined riverbanks, concluding at Morgan Mill. It is suitable for beginners.
• The 9.3-mile, 2.5 to 3-hour Lower River Class III ride for experienced floaters puts in at Morgan Mill and offers exciting, challenging rapids in scenic Carson River Canyon with wildflowers, historic rock walls, mill sites and other relics from the old V&T Railroad and Comstock mining era. It terminates at Lyon County’s newly redesigned Santa Maria Ranch River Park in Dayton, next to the Santa Maria subdivision on U.S. Highway 50 in Dayton. It now includes parking, restrooms and a river-access beach for rafters and kayakers.

The Carson River Regional Recreation Steering Committee is coordinating the event, which includes invitation-only rafting and kayak excursions for officials attending the ribbon-cutting.

A bronze plaque to be erected at Morgan Mill will list the partnering agencies that contributed to the project: Carson City Quality of Life Initiative, Carson Truckee Water Conservation District, Carson Water Subconservancy District, Nevada State Parks, Land and Water Conservation Fund, Nevada State Lands, Conservation and Resource Protection Grant Program (Question 1). Site improvements were designed by Resource Concepts, Inc. and built by Horizon Construction, Inc., and Hansen Landscape Architects, LLC.

Related Documents:

Carson River Aquatic Trail Map (PDF, 670kb)

Kayaking Guidelines (PDF, 293kb)

Carson River Aquatic Trail Report (PDF, 762kb)

The 11^th annual Best Management Practices (BMP) Workshop was held on Friday, April 16, 2010 at the Lake Tahoe Community College.  The workshop is offered to contractors and designers to provide them a better understanding of the regulatory requirements within the Lake Tahoe basin.  The workshop is organized by the BMP Retrofit Partners, which consist of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Erosion Control Team, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Nevada Tahoe Conservation District, Tahoe Resource Conservation District and the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.

This year, Joe Cacioppo, P.E., Vice-President of Resource Concepts, Inc. was a guest presenter at the workshop.  Mr. Cacioppo presented on the topic of Slope Stabilization.  His presentation focused on when to use vegetative versus mechanical stabilization methods, as well as the various alternatives associated with each.  The presentation further discussed the limitations and benefits to each approach, and showed photographs of field installations that not only displayed each approach, but also blended multiple approaches to best match the natural environment.

Additional topics presented at the workshop included:

• Water Quality Science, BMPs, and the Integrated Landscape
• How to Interpret a Completed Site Evaluation
• Tips for Passing a Final BMP Inspection to Obtain a Certificate of Completion
• Infiltration System Installation and Performance
• Driveway Paving and Conveyance of Runoff
• Preventing Erosion & Creating Defensible Space Using Vegetation & Mulch

The workshop included a morning indoor session followed by an afternoon outdoor session.  The outdoor session allowed attendees to see the various topics put into a practical setting.

Resource Concepts, Inc. was honored to be the only private consultant to present at this year’s workshop and has agreed to again present next year.

Resource Concepts, Inc., is a 2009 winner of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s “Best in the Basin” award award for a commercial rebuild project.

The engineering, natural resource and environmental consulting firm provided civil design and permitting services for South Lake’s Ski Run Center, a 1.7-acre site owned by Gersick Enterprises.

“The site had numerous constraints, including high groundwater, active remediation of contaminated soil and a shallow adjacent storm-drain facility,” said Lynn Zonge, hydrologist and fluvial geomorphologist at RCI. “We appreciate TRPA for its recognition of this project.”

RCI provided all civil design for the site at U.S. Highway 50 and Ski Run Boulevard, which included parking lots, walkways, water service, sewer facilities and a storm drain system. The architectural work was completed by MWA, Inc. and the Ski Run Center was constructed by Gardner Construction.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s “Best in the Basin” awards recognize projects demonstrating exceptional planning, design and compatibility with the Lake Tahoe environment. The “Best in the Basin” awards were presented at the TRPA Governing Board meeting last week.

Collecting water quality samples of perennial streams along the proposed route

RCI recently began environmental impact work for PG&E’s Salt Springs Powerhouse to its service area in Kirkwood, California. Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District is proposing to construct a power line from PG&E’s Salt Springs Powerhouse to its service area in Kirkwood, California.

The proposed project would involve the Eldorado National Forest authorizing a 50-year term special use permit for the construction, use and maintenance of power line connecting the Public Utilities District – in Alpine, Amador and El Dorado Counties — to an existing transmission line owned by Pacific Gas & Electric Company near the PG&E hydroelectric facility at Salt Springs Reservoir, in Amador County.

“The initial proposals included cross-country overhead lines in a roadless area and people were understandably upset about that,” said Lynn Zonge, Hydrologist / Fluvial Geomorphologist at Resource Concepts, Inc. “The current, refined proposal has eliminated all of the cross-country routes.”

RCI is preparing the Environmental Impact Statement and other permit application documents for Kirkwood Meadows Public Utility District. The draft statement is scheduled to be available for public review in the summer 2010, and construction on the project is scheduled to be completed in 2012.

RCI is working with Indian Hills GID on the funding and design of the proposed Indian Hills Water Transmission Main. Currently, the main source of water for Indian Hills GID has levels of arsenic above the state and federal MCL. Indian Hills GID has been researching various solutions since 2002, including the option of constructing a microfiltration plant. As an alternative to the construction (with associated ongoing operations and maintenance costs) of such a treatment plant, Indian Hills GID is pursuing participation in the future North Douglas County Regional Water System. The Regional project is a cooperative effort in which the Town of Minden will provide high quality drinking water to Douglas County, Carson City, and Indian Hills GID.

Staking the alignment for the surveyors

The Indian Hills Water Transmission Main project includes the construction of a water main teeing off the proposed new regional system main line in Heybourne Road and connecting to the existing booster pump station at the Hobo Water Treatment Plant. The proposed water main construction will include horizontal directional drilling beneath the Carson River to protect the riverbed and banks and boring beneath US Hwy 395. Funding is being sought from the State of Nevada AB198 and USDA RUS. The project is anticipated to be approved for funding this spring with construction beginning in mid-summer of 2010.

The Carson River at the proposed crossing

The ‘Eagles and Ag’ tours and workshops focus on the influx of bald eagles and other birds of prey that come to the scenic Carson Valley each year during the winter calving season. This remarkable interaction between nature and agriculture attracts photographers, birders and nature-lovers of all kinds who come to closely observe bald and golden eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, and a variety of other bird and wildlife species. A complete schedule of events and information can be viewed at www.visitcarsonvalley.org.

Friday evening, February 19, join us for the kickoff of Eagles & Agriculture 2010. Meet fellow enthusiasts and see what’s new at displays from the many agency and business sponsors who make this event possible. A generous lineup of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and guest presenters set the tone for an evening of socializing and learning. Our presenters this year are Dr. Alan Gubanich, emeritus faculty member at the University of Nevada-Reno and Vice-President of the Lahontan Audubon Society, on “Tell Me Why It’s Not a Red-tailed Hawk” and Don Henderson, an agriculture and rangeland science expert on “Exactly What is Agriculture in Nevada?” Of course, Falconer Lew Souder will return, and this year will be accompanied by Northern Goshawk. Lew’s presentation and Q&A session is always a high point of the reception.

Saturday morning, February 20, luxury motor coaches depart for the private “Ranch and Eagle” tour. As the guest of the ranches, you’ll observe their operations up close and meet the men and women who run them. Attendees will learn about Carson Valley ranching and conservation plus have the opportunity to observe birds of prey from vantage points not available to the general public. This is a once in a year opportunity for eagle viewing and photography. Following the tour, a sumptuous buffet lunch will be served with a group discussion on sightings allowing participants to compare experiences and observations with their fellow attendees. The tour and luncheon is being offered for just $60 per person and includes luxury motor coach transportation along with expert guides on Carson Valley history and wildlife.

On Saturday afternoon participants are invited on the popular Owl Prowl Tour and Live Falconing Field Demonstration. Led by a local naturalist, the Owl Prowl goes to historic area barns to view owls in their habitat. Watch Falconer Lew Souder fly his Northern Goshawk! The tour is limited to only 45 participants, weather permitting. The cost is $35 per person.

A two-day wildlife photography workshop led by Steve Ting of Steve Ting Photography is offered on Saturday and Sunday with instruction and discussion on Saturday and a nature photo shoot on location at an area ranch on Sunday. This is a very affordable opportunity to take your nature photography skills up a notch or two. The cost is $60 or the two-day workshop and is limited to 20 participants.

On either Saturday or Sunday participants can join in the “Raptor Highway and Byway Tour” by Birding Under Nevada Skies. This is a supplemental tour for those interested in the Buteos, Accipiters and Falcons which commonly winter in Carson Valley and the perfect complement to the Ranch and Eagle Tour. The cost is $45 and is limited to 15 participants per tour.

Another unique way to observe the eagles, hawks and falcons occurs on Sunday, February 21, when a guided Raft/Canoe Trip conducted by Great Basin Sports is offered. Participants will paddle down the beautiful Carson River and enjoy scenery and wildlife. This is a great event for photography buffs! The cost is $75.

In conjunction with the ‘Eagles and Ag’ event, there is the annual Photography Contest. A $125 prize will be awarded for the best birding photo and another $125 prize is available for the best agricultural/wildlife photo taken in Carson Valley. To qualify, photos of 5 x 7 or larger along with a CD must be submitted by March 16 to the Carson Valley Visitors Authority. A photo release must be signed for eligibility. Enter as many photos as you would like!

Over 3,000 people have attended previous year’s events and have given rave reviews. Participants are encouraged to sign up soon as space is limited for all Eagles and Agriculture events. The tours and workshops demonstrate how agricultural stewardship benefits wildlife and their habitat in Nevada. All proceeds benefit local wildlife, conservation and agriculture projects. All tours and events are staged at or hosted by the Carson Valley Inn on US Hwy 395 in Minden, Nevada.

To register for ‘Eagles and Ag’, contact the Carson Valley Arts Council at 775-782-8207 or go on-line to www.visitcarsonvalley.org to download the registration form, check out the great lodging specials and learn more about this unique event. For additional lodging and visitor information call the Carson Valley Visitors Authority at 775-782-8144 or toll-free at 800-727-7677.

Salazar Seeks Congressional Support for Sustainable National Program to Manage Iconic Wild Horses

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today proposed a national solution to restore the health of America’s wild horse herds and the rangelands that support them by creating a cost-efficient, sustainable management program that includes the possible creation of wild horse preserves on the productive grasslands of the Midwest and East.

“The current path of the wild horse and burro program is not sustainable for the animals, the environment, or the taxpayer,” Salazar said in a letter outlining his proposals to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and eight other key members of Congress with jurisdiction over wild horse issues. Salazar said he is “proposing to develop new approaches that will require bold efforts from the Administration and from Congress to put this program on a more sustainable track, enhance the conservation for this iconic animal, and provide better value for the taxpayer.”

Bob Abbey, Director of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM), commended the Secretary for his initiative, saying, “The proposals we are unveiling today represent a forward-looking, responsive effort to deal with the myriad challenges facing our agency’s wild horse and burro program.” Abbey added, “We owe wild horses and burros on Western rangelands high-quality habitat. We owe the unadopted wild horses and burros in holding good care and treatment. And we owe the American taxpayer a well-run, cost-effective wild horse program. Today’s package of proposals will achieve those ends.”

The challenges to the BLM associated with maintaining robust wild horse populations in the West have been recognized by the Senate Appropriations Committee, which has warned that gathering and holding costs have risen beyond sustainable levels and directed the BLM to prepare a long-term plan for the program. The Government Accountability Office also found the program to be at a “critical crossroads,” affirmed the need to control off-the-range holding costs, and recommended that the BLM work with Congress to find a responsible way to manage the increasing number of unadopted horses. In response to Congressional direction, Salazar’s proposals aim to achieve a “truly national solution” to a traditionally Western issue.

In four decades under the BLM’s protection, wild horses that were fast disappearing from the American scene have returned to rapid growth. “As wild horses have no natural predators and herds grow quickly,” Salazar said in his letter, “more than 33,000 wild horses live in 10 western states. Unfortunately, arid western lands and watersheds cannot support a population this large without significant damage to the environment.”

The BLM works to achieve an ecological balance on the range by removing thousands of wild horses and burros from public rangelands each year and then offering them for adoption. Unadopted animals are cared for in short-term corrals and long-term pastures. With the sharp decline in wild horse adoptions in recent years because of the economic downturn, the Bureau now maintains nearly 32,000 wild horses and burros in holding, including more than 9,500 in expensive short-term corrals. In Fiscal Year 2008, the cost of holding and caring for these animals exceeded $27 million – or three-fourths of the FY 2008 enacted funding level of $36.2 million for the entire wild horse and burro program. In the most recent fiscal year (2009), which ended September 30, holding costs were approximately $29 million, or about 70 percent of the total 2009 enacted wild horse and burro program budget of $40.6 million.

A key element of the Secretary’s plan, designed to address concerns raised by the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Government Accountability Office, would designate a new set of wild horse preserves across the nation. Citing limits on forage and water in the West because of persistent drought and wildfire, Salazar said the lands acquired by the BLM and/or its partners “would provide excellent opportunities to celebrate the historic significance of wild horses, showcase these animals to the American public, and serve as natural assets that support local tourism and economic activity.” The wild horse herds placed in these preserves would be non-reproducing.

In his letter, Salazar also proposed:

• Managing the new preserves either directly by the BLM or through cooperative agreements between the BLM and private non-profit organizations or other partners to reduce the Bureau’s off-the-range holding costs. This coordinated effort would harness the energy of wild horse and burro supporters, whose enthusiasm would also be tapped to promote wild horse adoptions at a time when adoption demand has softened.
• Showcasing certain herds on public lands in the West that warrant distinct recognition with Secretarial or possibly congressional designations. These would highlight the special qualities of America’s wild horses while generating eco-tourism for nearby rural communities.
• Applying new strategies aimed at balancing wild horse and burro population growth rates with public adoption demand. This effort would involve slowing population growth rates of wild horses on Western public rangelands through the aggressive use of fertility control, the active management of sex ratios on the range, and perhaps even the introduction of non-reproducing herds in some of the BLM’s existing Herd Management Areas in 10 Western states. The new strategies would also include placing more animals into private care by making adoptions more flexible where appropriate.

Noting that his proposals are subject to Congressional approval and appropriations, Salazar said he and Director Abbey look forward to discussing them with members of Congress “as we work together to protect and manage America’s ‘Living Legends.’”

A copy of the letter is online at www.doi.gov and can be found here . For background information on the national wild horse and burro program, please visit the BLM’s Website at www.blm.gov.