2008 Sustainable Development Workshop

Northern Nevada Sustainability: A Promise for the Future

Approximately fifty participants with diverse interests participated in the two-day Sustainability Workshop held in Battle Mountain on September 30th and October 1st, 2008. Evaluations indicate enthusiasm for the topic, the contacts made, and examples of the importance of collaborations and partnerships to foster regional economic resilience.

Great interest was expressed in the examples presented of sustainable agriculture, biofuels potential and recycling. Enthusiasm was shown for information outlining the importance of community assessment and survey tools for long-term community planning.

The Future Industrial Needs Description (FIND) project was described by the Lander group. This infrastructure data-base system is a pilot project developed to test interest in alternate uses for infrastructure at mine sites after mining, and to promote community-based planning. Members from the BLM Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council (RAC) formed a local consensus group to guide the inclusion of “community sustainability” principles within the Winnemucca BLM District Resource Management Plan (RMP). Within these principles are the potential for post-mining land uses.

See the documents below for the workshop agenda, presentations & report:

• Workshop Agenda
  
  
• Estimated Economic Impacts of the Cattle Ranching and Farming Sector on the Elko County Economy - Thomas R. Harris, University of Nevada, Reno
  
  
• Lander County Housing Gap Study - Thomas R. Harris, Brian Bonnenfant, Rod Davis
  
  
• Community Business Matching and the Value of Collaborations – Tom Harris, UNR and Buddy Borden, UNCE
  
  
• Lander FIND Project Update - Lander County Sustainable Develoopment Committee
  
  
• NNP-Elko Group Update – Jim Collord
  
  
• H/PSD Partnership Update– Sharlet Berentsen
  
  
• Foundations for Curbside Recycling in Elko, Nevada - Margo Teague
  
  
• Alternative Crops and Their Role in Sustaining Agriculture in Nevada - Jay Davison, UNR Area Extension Specialist
  
  
• Workshop Report
  
  
• Notes and Discussion Points from Two-Day Sustainability Workshop