View source for Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

{{Short description|Agency of Nevada, US}}
{{primary sources|date=March 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}The '''Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources''' ('''DCNR''') is a Nevada [[Government agency|state agency]] that focuses on the preservation and management of [[Nevada]]’s natural, cultural, and recreational resources.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=About Us {{!}} DCNR|url=http://dcnr.nv.gov/about-us|access-date=2021-08-22|website=dcnr.nv.gov}}</ref> The current director is [[James Settelmeyer]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 14, 2023 |title=Environmentalists sue to oust Nevada conservation director |url=https://www.rgj.com/story/news/2023/02/14/environmentalists-sue-to-oust-nevada-conservation-director/69904923007/ |access-date=2023-02-15 |work=Reno Gazette Journal |language=en-US |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The agency is headquartered in [[Carson City, Nevada]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Contact Us {{!}} DCNR|url=http://dcnr.nv.gov/contact-us|access-date=2021-08-22|website=dcnr.nv.gov}}</ref> One of its holdings is the [[South Fork Dam (Nevada)|South Fork Dam and Reservoir]] near [[Elko, Nevada]].
== History ==
The department was established in 1957 and has been in operations ever since, although the agency experiences several changes throughout its years. In its year of founding, only four departments existed: the division of water resources, state lands, forestry, as well as oil and gas conservation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1957 Statutes of Nevada, Pages 601-785|url=https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/48th1957/Stats195704.html#Stats195704page646|access-date=2021-08-22|website=www.leg.state.nv.us}}</ref> By 1977, the oil and gas conservation division was changed into the mineral resources division, and five new divisions were also created: the division of state park, the division of conservation districts, the division of environmental protection, the division of water planning, and the division of historic preservation and archaeology.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1977 Statutes of Nevada, Pages 897-1136|url=https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/59th/Stats197705.html#Stats197705page1117|access-date=2021-08-22|website=www.leg.state.nv.us}}</ref> Of these nine divisions, eight of them (excluding the mineral resources division, which became the [[The State of Nevada Commission on Mineral Resources|Nevada Division of Minerals]]), existed in the current structure of the department, although their names have undergone some changes.
== Structure ==
[[File:2015-01-15 15 21 40 Sign at the main entrance to Kershaw Ryan State Park, Nevada.JPG|thumb|Entrance to Kershaw Ryan State Park]]
The department includes the following eight divisions:<ref>{{cite web|date=|title=Divisions and Boards|url=http://dcnr.nv.gov/divisions-boards|access-date=2020-02-03|publisher=Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources|location=Carson City, NV}}</ref>
* Division of Environmental Protection
* Division of Forestry
* Office of Historic Preservation
* Division of Natural Heritage
* Division of Outdoor Recreation
* Division of State Lands
* Division of State Parks
* Division of Water Resources.
Aside from its eight divisions, the DCNR also operates three standalone programs:<ref name=":0" />
# Nevada Conservation Districts Program: Supports Nevada's community-based conservation districts by providing resources to conserve soil, water, and related resources.
# Nevada Sagebrush Ecosystem Program: Interagency program to protect and enhance Nevada's sagebrush landscape.
# Nevada Off-Highway Vehicles Program: Regulates off-road recreation and provides funding for off-highway vehicle trail improvements.
The DCNR also manages the following commissions and councils: State Environmental Commission, State Conservation Commission, Board for Financing Water Projects, Well Drillers’ Advisory Board, Board to Review Petroleum Claims, State Land Use Planning Advisory Council, Sagebrush Ecosystem Council.<ref name=":0" />
== References ==
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[[Category:Organizations based in Carson City, Nevada]]
[[Category:State agencies of Nevada|Conservation and Natural Resources]]
[[Category:State environmental protection agencies of the United States]]
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