SCR 9 — Expresses support for the Nevada System of Higher Education to work collaboratively in its science and research efforts addressing the needs of the Lake Tahoe Basin. (BDR R-364)

S.C.R.Senate Concurrent Resolution No.

99– SENATECommittee Con ONCURRENTEducation RESOLUTIONFILE NNUMBER.......... O.

9– COMMITTEE ON E DUCATION (ON BEHALF OF THEL EGISLATIVECOMMITTEE FOR THER EVIEW AND OVERSIGHT OF THE T AHOE REGIONAL PLANNING A GENCY AND THE M ARLETTE LAKE W ATER SYSTEM ) M ARCH 26, 2021 ____________ Referred to Committee on Education SUMMARY—Expresses support for the Nevada System of Higher Education to work collaboratively in its science and research efforts addressing the needs of the Lake Tahoe Basin.

(BDR R-364) ~ EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new;

matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

W HEREAS,HEREAS , The Lake Tahoe Basin exhibits unique environmental and ecological conditions that are irreplaceable;

and W HEREAS,HEREAS , The Nevada Legislature has recognized that Nevada has a compelling interest in preserving, protecting, restoring and enhancing the natural environment of the Lake Tahoe Basin, which is a matter of such significance that it must carried out on a continual basis;

and W HEREAS,HEREAS , The State of Nevada, in collaboration with the State of California, federal agencies, local governments, the private sector and nonprofit organizations, has provided continuous investment in the preservation, protection, restoration and enhancement of the Lake Tahoe Basin through the implementation of projects identified in the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program;

and W HEREAS,HEREAS , The role of science in guiding decision-making is critical to the successful implementation of policies and environmental restoration in the Lake Tahoe Basin;

and - *SCR9* – 2 – W HEREAS , The role of science in guiding decision-making has become more imperative due to emerging issues such as climate has change and increased visitation, which are placing even greater pressures on the health of the ecosystem in the Lake Tahoe Basin;

and W HEREAS , The State of Nevada, through the Nevada State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, entered into a - 81st Session (2021) – 2 – Memorandum of Understanding with the State of California, through the California Natural Resources Agency, to establish the Tahoe Bi-State Executive Committee to coordinate science and research activities and create the non-regulatory Tahoe Science Advisory Council;

and - *SCR9* – 3 – W HEREAS , Funding to complete the necessary research identified in both action plans has not been identified and collaboration among Nevada’s research institutions will be essential to ensure completion of the action plans;

and be it further - 81st Session (2021) – 3 – R ESOLVED , That the members of the 81st Session of the Nevada Legislature do hereby recommend that the Nevada System of Higher Education enhance coordination and collaborative efforts with the Nevada State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and other state and federal agencies, as appropriate, to strategically align the Nevada System of Higher Education’s science and research efforts with policy goals, including Nevada’s State Climate Strategy, that are established by relevant agencies, including the Tahoe Science Advisory Council and other stakeholders in the Lake Tahoe Basin;

and be it further R ESOLVED , That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to the Executive Director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the Program Officer of the TahoeTahoethe Science Advisory Council, the Director of the Nevada State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, the President of the University of Nevada, Reno, the President of the Desert Research Institute, the President of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the President of the University of California, Davis and each member of the Nevada Congressional Delegation;

H~~~~~ 21 - *SCR9*81st Session (2021)