Q1 NV Conservation Bond Main Page | History | Project Summaries | Project Criteria | Get Involved

As NDOW reviews project ideas and suggestions on how the Question 1 Nevada Conservation Bond allocations are to be used, each project proposal is evaluated with a set of criteria based on its designation as an acquisition or an enhancement.

Evaluation Criteria for Acquisitions

Project Identified in NDOW Plans, Other Plans
Lands that have been identified in NDOW’s Strategic Plan, species management plans (such as the Governor’s Sage Grouse Plan), or Wildlife Management Area Conceptual Management Plans. Lands that may be identified to fulfill objectives of other planning documents such as the Nevada Natural Heritage Program Scorecard, Intermountain West Joint Venture Plans, Partners in Flight Plan, the Nature Conservancy’s Ecoregional Plan, among others.

Wildlife Values/Diversity
Lands that provide high wildlife values and protect important habitats for a diversity of fish and wildlife species .

Potential for Wetlands Protection/Development
Properties that provide opportunity for wetland protection and or development. Wetlands are of significant national importance for many fish and wildlife species and due to their limited quantity thought Nevada.

Water Right Acquisition Potential
Projects that provide opportunity to purchase or lease water rights to ensure future availability of water for fish and wildlife.

Riparian/Riverine Values
Projects that provide opportunity for protection and or restoration of riparian and riverine systems, which are extremely important and limited habitat type for many fish and wildlife species.

Threatened & Endangered or Sensitive Species Values
Projects that will benefit one or more threatened, endangered, or sensitive species.

Opportunities for Easement Acquisition
Those projects with opportunities for easement acquisition over fee title purchase since they would be more cost effective. This is also a priority in AB9.

Variety of Recreational Opportunities
Those projects that provide the greatest diversity of public recreation opportunity over projects with limited public recreation potential.

Adjacent to Existing NDOW Properties
Lands adjacent to existing NDOW properties that would further enhance NDOW’s ability to better manage, or provide enhanced public use.

Availability of Public Access
Lands that would facilitate access to existing NDOW lands or other public lands.

Availability of Matching Funds/Leveraging Project/Partnerships
Emphasis will be given to projects which could be leveraged to maximize the use of bond dollars for the greatest benefit of Nevada’s residents. Examples of these matching sources may include Federal Aid in Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act funds, Section 6 funds, private donations, mitigation funds, NAWCA grant funds, state motor boat fuel tax funds, volunteer services, among others.

Administrative Costs
In order to ensure that maximum bond dollars are directed to on the ground projects for wildlife, projects that do not require excessive administrative time, coordination and/or expense prior to implementing the project will be emphasized.

Management Costs
The long-term development, operating and maintenance costs of a project will be considered, with emphasis on cost-effective projects.

Special Opportunity Projects
Those projects that arise that require urgency in acquisition due to outside threats or other impacts, or due to time constrained matching issues.

Bonding Administrative Issues
Due to possible administrative constraints related to issuing bonds, the initiation of some projects may be given higher priority over others to promote efficiency in overall program implementation.

Evaluation Criteria for Enhancements

Public Safety and Other Legal Requirements
Those projects that meet public safety needs or legal requirements under federal, state, or county laws. Those projects that meet other legal requirements in order to protect existing facilities and property rights (state water law, ADA, housing codes, etc).

Protect and Enhance Existing NDOW Properties
Projects on existing NDOW properties that would further enhance NDOW’s ability to better manage, or provide enhanced public use. Efforts will be directed toward maximizing the efficiency of state-owned properties over other projects since we have complete management control over these lands and will be able to maximize benefits for wildlife and the public that uses that resource.

Project Identified in NDOW Plans, Other Plans
Projects that have been identified in NDOW’s Strategic Plan, species management plans, or Wildlife Management Area Conceptual Management Plans. Projects that may be identified to fulfill objectives of other planning documents such as the Nevada Natural Heritage Program Scorecard, Intermountain West Joint Venture Plans, Partners in Flight Plan, the Nature Conservancy’s Ecoregional Plan, among others.

Availability of Matching Funds/ Leveraging Project/Partnerships
Emphasis will be given to projects which could be leveraged to maximize the use of bond dollars for the greatest benefit of state residents. Examples of these matching sources include Federal Aid in Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act funds, Section 6 funds, private donations, mitigation funds, NAWCA, motor boat fuel taxes, volunteer services, among others.

Special Opportunity Projects
Those projects that arise that require urgency in acquisition due to threats from development or other impacts or due to time limited matching issues will be given higher priority.

Bonding Administrative Issues
Due to possible administrative constraints related to issuing bonds, the implementation of some projects may be given higher priority to promote efficiency in overall program implementation.

What Happens After the Project Review Process?

Our next step will be to schedule projects for implementation based on bonding issues, partnerships, matching funds, etc. We will then assign appropriate personnel for the administration, coordination and negotiation of selected projects in coordination with the Division of State Lands where required. For those project proposals that were submitted but do not appear on the list at this time, we will continue to gather information, build partnerships, and seek matching funds to implement projects for the greatest benefit of state residents.

Public scoping meetings will continue to be held across the state every one to two years to identify new project ideas from the public and to update the prioritized list as additional bonds are sold and projects are completed. We will continue to accept new project proposals for future rounds. As you may recall, we have 6 years to sell the bonds and 9 years to complete all the projects.

NDOW will promote and publicize the projects that are implemented with Q1 funds on signage and in brochures. Many thanks to again to the members of the public who attended the scoping meetings and submitted project proposals for their participation during this important phase of NDOW’s Q-1 Bond program implementation.