Last week, Members of Congress returned to Washington following the August district work period. While traveling across Nevada last month, my staff and I had many opportunities to discuss the work we’re doing in Washington and hear directly from the Nevadans we serve. Spending an extended amount of time back home in our district also allows me to check a number of items off my to-do list like: meeting with constituents and local agencies, conducting facility tours, hosting town hall meetings, and providing updates to our County Commissioners and City Councils.
Last month, I traveled more than 3,000 miles meeting with 72 groups and organizations throughout our district. My staff and I had the opportunity to meet with representatives from: the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS); the Bureau of Land Management (BLM); the United States Forest Service - Region 5 (USFS); Customs and Border Patrol (CBP); the General Services Administration (GSA); and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to discuss projects in Yerington, Eureka, and McDermitt.
Overall, our mission is to ensure we’re doing everything possible to take care of the home front by conducting vigorous oversight and making sure we’re up to speed on any important projects and developments. We do this by working closely with the state and local agencies that are on the ground in Nevada and serve as a valued partner in protecting the multiple use and health of our rangelands.
Learn more about my August travels and the projects our office is working on below:
Combating and Preventing Devastating Wildfires
In July, the Martin Fire quickly became the largest single fire in Nevada history, causing massive destruction to grazing areas and sage hen habitat. The blaze stretched all the way from Humboldt County to Elko County, and burned nearly 500,000 acres of land before it was fully contained. Additionally, the Sugarloaf Fire has burned nearly 250,000 acres of land and is 97 percent contained since it was discovered on August 17.
In light of these devastating wildfires, my staff and I have been working closely with representatives from local, state, and federal agencies to discuss the best ways to improve preparedness and prevent the threat of wildfires. This week, I plan to sit down with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the BLM, the USFS, the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, the Nevada Farm Bureau Federation, the Nevada Department of Agriculture, the Nevada Division of Wildlife, the Nevada Division of Forestry, and the Humboldt and Elko county managers to discuss potential improvements to our prevention and restoration programs.
Highlights from the August District Work Period
Hispanic Business Leaders Breakfast
Washoe County Commission Meeting
Interview with KTVN Channel 2 in Reno
Lake Tahoe Summit
Washington Wrap-Up
Nevada Delegation Members Meet with FEMA Representatives in Washington
I requested a briefing with representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) last week in Washington after Nevada was denied assistance by the agency following the Sugarloaf Fire. As you may know, on August 24, 2018, the State of Nevada submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) declaration for the Sugarloaf Fire which was denied the following day. Also joining my staff and I in the meeting were staffers from the offices of Sen. Dean Heller, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, and Rep. Dina Titus. We specifically discussed the purpose, regulations, and statutes governing the Fire Management Assistance Grant program. Our ultimate goal is to ensure our State officials are equipped with the tools and information they need to apply for full recovery assistance when these types of disasters occur.
In the coming weeks, I will be sure to keep you updated on any and all developments we receive in regards to this issue.
Creating Economic Growth & Development in Nevada
Last Wednesday, the House Natural Resources Committee successfully passed H.R. 6299, the Nevada Lands Bill Technical Corrections Act of 2018, a bill I introduced in June that would modify existing public lands bills to spur economic development in Storey, Lincoln, and White Pine counties. Specifically, this bill will provide a technical correction to facilitate a previously authorized land transfer in Storey County, authorize hazardous fuel reduction projects and wildfire planning for restoration projects, and provide for the development and implantation of a Virgin River Nevada conservation plan. These common-sense improvements will create an economic environment where our businesses will be able to grow and succeed. I thank my colleagues on the Committee for taking action and making this bill a priority, and look forward to it coming before the full House for a vote.
Washington Visitors
It’s always nice to see familiar faces while I’m in Washington. Below are some of the Nevadans I recently met with:
Sheriff Chuck Allen (Washoe County, NV) and Sheriff Sharon Wehrly (Nye County, NV) joined me in a meeting with other sheriffs from the West who were in Washington to discuss law enforcement issues. Thanks for stopping by!
As always, thank you for subscribing to the Amodei Report. I look forward to keeping you updated on the issues you care about most. For additional information, please visit my website at amodei.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-6155, Reno office: (775) 686-5760 or Elko office: (775) 777-7705. To receive updates on what I am doing in Washington and in Nevada’s 2nd District follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.
