AB112 – In Honor of Native American Heritage Month
To celebrate Native American Heritage Month, we are sharing all the favorable outcomes of the 82nd Legislative Session.
As all our relatives become more engaged in civic matters, please know that the bill which “establishes provisions relating to wildlife crossings,” is now a law.
Existing federal law establishes a wildlife-crossing safety program to provide grants of money to states for projects that seek to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve wildlife habitat connectivity. (23 U.S.C. § 171)
Section 2 of this bill creates the Wildlife Crossings Account in the State General Fund, which is administered by the Director of the Department of Transportation. Section 2 requires the Department of Transportation to consult with the Department of Wildlife to identify locations and strategies relating to wildlife crossings and prioritize certain areas to fund projects relating to wildlife crossings.
Section 3 of this bill requires the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Department of Wildlife, to develop, publish and update an inventory of connectivity needs on the state highway system where the implementation of wildlife crossings and other related highway features will improve permeability for wildlife, reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions or enhance wildlife activity.
Section 4 of this bill requires the Director of the Department of Transportation to review the standards and specifications for the design and construction of highways in this State to determine standards and specifications necessary to incorporate wildlife crossings and other related highway features into the highways in this State.
Section 4.5 of this bill requires the Department of Transportation and the Department of Wildlife to consult with holders of grazing permits and private landowners adjacent to any potential locations for wildlife crossings and related highway features.
Section 5 of this bill authorizes the Director of the Department of Transportation to adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this bill. Section 6 of this bill makes an appropriation to the Wildlife Crossings Account to implement projects relating to wildlife crossings and other highway features to improve permeability for wildlife.
Section 4.5. In carrying out the provisions of sections 1.5 to 5, inclusive, of this act, the Department and the Department of Wildlife shall consult with holders of grazing permits and private landowners of land adjacent to any location identified for the possible implementation of wildlife crossings and related highway features to avoid or mitigate any impacts on livestock management or uses of private land.
The NEVADA INDIAN COMMISSION (NIC) is a State agency created by statute in 1965 to “study matters affecting the social and economic welfare and well-being of American Indians residing in Nevada, including but not limited to matters and problems relating to Indian affairs and to federal and state
control, responsibility, policy, and operations affecting such Indians.” Beginning on July 1, 2024, our agency will be known as the Department of Native American Affairs (DNA). For more information about provisions relating to wildlife crossings, click here.