NAC527.200. Duties; meetings; recommendations.

     1. The Nevada Natural Heritage Program will:

     (a) Establish and maintain a committee of qualified professionals to conduct scientific research and analysis of native flora;

     (b) Maintain data and records related thereto; and

     (c) Subject to the approval of the Director, provide assistance to the State Forester in the development and administration of a program for the conservation, protection, restoration and propagation of critically endangered species of native flora.

     2. If the Nevada Natural Heritage Program determines that the existence of a species or subspecies of native flora is endangered and the survival of that species or subspecies requires assistance because of overexploitation, disease or other factors, or because the habitat of the native flora is threatened with destruction, drastic modification or curtailment, the Nevada Natural Heritage Program will notify the State Forester and recommend that the species or subspecies of native flora be placed on the list of fully protected species of native flora.

     3. The Nevada Natural Heritage Program will meet at least once annually, and may meet at such further times as deemed necessary by the Program, to review research and data concerning native flora, and to consider:

     (a) Whether any species or subspecies of native flora should be added to or removed from the list of fully protected species of native flora.

     (b) Whether, under all relevant circumstances, any component of the program administered by the State Forester for the conservation, protection, restoration and propagation of a species or subspecies of native flora could be expanded, changed or otherwise improved.

     (c) Whether, under all relevant circumstances, a management area should be established, or the boundaries of an existing management area should be altered.

     (d) When the Division requests consultation, whether a permit should be issued, denied, amended or revoked in order to carry out the provisions of NRS 527.260 to 527.300, inclusive.

     4. If the Nevada Natural Heritage Program makes comments or a recommendation pursuant to:

     (a) Paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of subsection 3, the Nevada Natural Heritage Program must notify the State Forester of the comments or recommendation and any appropriate action regarding the comments or recommendation.

     (b) Paragraph (d) of subsection 3, the Nevada Natural Heritage Program must provide written comments to the Division.

     5. The State Forester and the Division are not bound by the comments or recommendations of the Nevada Natural Heritage Program, which acts solely in an advisory capacity to the Division and the State Forester.

     (Added to NAC by St. Forester Firewarden by R056-01, eff. 11-1-2001)