Presented by Dr. Stephen G. Wells, President

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1 1 Prepared for Nevada Legislative Committee on Public Lands Review of the activities and impact of the Desert Research Institute s work on Nevada public lands Presented by Dr. Stephen G. Wells, President

Legislative Mandate* for DRI 2 To contribute more effectively to the security of

citizens through the development of educational and scientific research, the

The primary purposes of the Institute are to: Foster and conduct fundamental

for industry, governmental or private agencies or individuals.

Discover and develop talent for conducting research.

2 Legislative Mandate* for DRI 2 To contribute more effectively to the security of the nation and to promote the general welfare of the State of Nevada and its citizens through the development of educational and scientific research, the Board of Regents may establish the Desert Research Institute. The primary purposes of the Institute are to: Foster and conduct fundamental scientific, economic, social or educational investigations and applied research for industry, governmental or private agencies or individuals. Encourage and foster a desire in students and faculty to conduct research. Discover and develop talent for conducting research. Acquire and disseminate knowledge related to the projects undertaken. And to promote all research within the system generally. *(1959) NRS ,

3 Entrepreneurial Culture and World Class Facilities ~551 employees (331 FTE) with ~157 research faculty ~56

Faculty are not tenured and generate their own salaries (no state-funded positions) Faculty bring ~$40M into

5-to-$1 Over 60 specialized labs & research facilities. DRI invests ~ $1.

3 3 Entrepreneurial Culture and World Class Facilities ~551 employees (331 FTE) with ~157 research faculty ~56 employees (10%) receive state salary support (administrative in nature) Non-tenure / soft-money structure: Faculty are not tenured and generate their own salaries (no state-funded positions) Faculty bring ~$40M into Nevada s economy Direct return on state-funded investment is $4.5-to-$1 Over 60 specialized labs & research facilities. DRI invests ~ $1.6M annually in non-state dollars for support of UNR and UNLV graduate students. DRI maintains primary campuses in Reno and Las Vegas and two satellite research facilities in Boulder City and Steamboat Springs, Colorado

4 Research Structure 4 The range of DRI s research extends from the ice of Antarctica to the impoverished countryside of Africa, but some of the most significant work by DRI scientists takes place in Nevada. From the deserts of the Great Basin and mountain watersheds in the Sierra, to the atmosphere of the Las Vegas Valley, the rivers and streams serving agriculture and human consumption across the state, historical sites and the forests and shrub lands of the state s diverse ecosystems. Air Land & Life Water

5 Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) Location: Southern Nevada Primary Funding: Federal DRI provides environmental characterization, restoration, and

Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, and has done so for more than 40 years.

archaeology, historic building evaluations and documentation Environmental characterization and evaluation of contaminated soil sites and processes such

surrounding communities Stockpile stewardship and nonproliferation Supporting DOE in protection of health and environment of Nevada, while also

5 5 Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) Location: Southern Nevada Primary Funding: Federal DRI provides environmental characterization, restoration, and monitoring expertise, cultural resources evaluations, and support of nationally important missions of the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, and has done so for more than 40 years. Scope of scientific support on the Nevada National Security Site, formerly the Nevada Test Site, includes: Prehistoric and historic archaeology, Cold War archaeology, historic building evaluations and documentation Environmental characterization and evaluation of contaminated soil sites and processes such as fire that may affect them Groundwater investigations and computer modeling for water supply and contamination issues Environmental monitoring in surrounding communities Stockpile stewardship and nonproliferation Supporting DOE in protection of health and environment of Nevada, while also contributing to success of ongoing missions. DRI model for groundwater flow under an underground nuclear test area Measuring runoff at a soil site DRI archaeologists examine the tunnel where the world s first contained underground nuclear test took place in 1957.

Community Environmental Monitoring Program Location: Southern Nevada Primary Funding: Federal 6 DRI s work began as nuclear testing

The community monitoring program, founded in 1981, is a network of 29 monitoring stations in communities surrounding and downwind of the

Sites include a full suite of weather instrumentation in addition to radiation monitoring sensors, state-of-the-art electronic data

6 Community Environmental Monitoring Program Location: Southern Nevada Primary Funding: Federal 6 DRI s work began as nuclear testing moved underground, with DRI providing a strong geology and groundwater focus aimed at characterizing subsurface environments that would contain nuclear blasts. DRI conducted some of the earliest assessments of radionuclide contaminant migration and helped establish monitoring programs. The community monitoring program, founded in 1981, is a network of 29 monitoring stations in communities surrounding and downwind of the National Security Site, formerly the Nevada Test Site. Sites include a full suite of weather instrumentation in addition to radiation monitoring sensors, state-of-the-art electronic data collectors, and communications hardware enabling updates to a publicly accessible web page every ten minutes. Providing real-time data for ranchers, farmers and the public. DRI monitoring stations have never detected any downwind radiation from the NNSS. CEMP public outreach activities help facilitate ongoing education about the NNSS and monitoring.

7 Project Shoal Area Research Location: Central Nevada Primary Funding: Federal DRI was tasked by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to characterize the subsurface hydrogeologic environment of the Project Shoal area, and to construct a groundwater flow and transport model.

The Shoal test consisted of a 12-kiloton-yield nuclear detonation which occurred on October 26, 1963.

7 7 Project Shoal Area Research Location: Central Nevada Primary Funding: Federal DRI was tasked by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to characterize the subsurface hydrogeologic environment of the Project Shoal area, and to construct a groundwater flow and transport model. DRI continues to support longterm monitoring and stewardship of the site. The Project Shoal area (PSA) is located about 50 km southeast of Fallon, Nevada. The Shoal test consisted of a 12-kiloton-yield nuclear detonation which occurred on October 26, Provided DOE with advanced groundwater models to determine rate of radionuclide migration away from the nuclear test. Research continues with DOE to develop effective monitoring and stewardship approaches.

8 Protecting Lake Mead from Quagga Mussels Location: Southern Nevada Primary Funding: Federal In January of 2007, Quagga mussels were discovered in Lake

Kumud Acharya studies the lifecycle and establishment of the Quagga Mussel at DRI s Southern Nevada Science Center in Las Vegas.

Researchers are evaluating how ph alteration, UV metering, and Chloramines inhibit Quagga Mussel growth rates and reproduction.

8 8 Protecting Lake Mead from Quagga Mussels Location: Southern Nevada Primary Funding: Federal In January of 2007, Quagga mussels were discovered in Lake Mead, the first time west of the 100th meridian. Dr. Kumud Acharya studies the lifecycle and establishment of the Quagga Mussel at DRI s Southern Nevada Science Center in Las Vegas. DRI is fostering development of local expertise, critical to addressing this serious ecological and economic problem. Researchers are evaluating how ph alteration, UV metering, and Chloramines inhibit Quagga Mussel growth rates and reproduction. DRI assist with efforts to educate the public and try to limit the negative impacts of the Lake Mead invasion. DRI research on Quagga lifecycles and growth is helping reduce their impact on the Colorado River Aqueduct and Lake Mead. Initial findings on Quagga survival rates in low calcium waters are supporting efforts to keep the species out of Lake Tahoe.

Monitoring Lake Tahoe s Nearshore Zone Location: Northern Nevada Primary Funding: Federal (SNPLMA Round 10) 9 Recently, changes in Lake Tahoe s Nearshore Zone have become increasingly evident and

Alan Heyvaert, an associate research professor and director of the Center for Watersheds and Environmental Sustainability at DRI, is coordinating the effort of scientists and resource management

9 Monitoring Lake Tahoe s Nearshore Zone Location: Northern Nevada Primary Funding: Federal (SNPLMA Round 10) 9 Recently, changes in Lake Tahoe s Nearshore Zone have become increasingly evident and stakeholders are interested in addressing the environmental, social and economic impacts. Dr. Alan Heyvaert, an associate research professor and director of the Center for Watersheds and Environmental Sustainability at DRI, is coordinating the effort of scientists and resource management agencies to develop an effective monitoring framework that will track progress and inform management decisions. DRI research in the Lake Tahoe basin has included everything from monitoring Tahoe s air quality and assessing the basin s increased ozone levels to tracing the impact of stormwater runoff on nearshore water quality. DRI scientists have provided critical support to the TRPA s Environmental Improvement Projects, BMP evaluation and Regional Stormwater Monitoring Program For more than 30 years DRI scientists have helped guide preservation and restoration efforts in the Lake Tahoe basin. Currently leading Nearshore Zone monitoring efforts to assess water quality, impact of invasive species and climate change.

10 Truckee River Monitoring Program Location: Northern Nevada Primary Funding: Federal, Local, (State supported ended in 2012) Development and implementation of an integrated water quality monitoring

10 10 Truckee River Monitoring Program Location: Northern Nevada Primary Funding: Federal, Local, (State supported ended in 2012) Development and implementation of an integrated water quality monitoring program for the Truckee River For the past 30 years, DRI has been collecting monthly water samples in the Truckee River, from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake. Samples are collected along the entire reach, from Tahoe City, California to Nixon, Nevada. Data reported to NDEP's Bureau of Water Quality Planning Providing agency water managers with accurate, 30-year dataset of water quality changes in the Truckee River System from Tahoe to Pyramid Lake.

11 Walker Lake Basin Project Location: Northern Nevada Primary Funding: Federal DRI, in partnership with University of Nevada, Reno, assembled the necessary environmental, agricultural and economic

11 11 Walker Lake Basin Project Location: Northern Nevada Primary Funding: Federal DRI, in partnership with University of Nevada, Reno, assembled the necessary environmental, agricultural and economic expertise to meet the challenge of analyzing and describing the physical, ecological and economic environments of the entire basin. DRI provided scientific expertise and support to the NFWF and BLM in implementing the Walker Basin Restoration Program. Development of a Water Rights GIS database and Watershed Decision Support Tool to determine how best to deliver water to the lake while sustaining the basin s economy and ecosystem. Supporting NFWF s strategy for water rights options. DRI research areas: Geomorphic and hydrologic studies of the basin s water system Remote sensing and GIS Microbial Ecology and Biochemistry Human impact and invasive species establishment Alternative agriculture Plant, soil and water interactions

12 Mapping Agricultural Water Consumption Location: Northern and Southern Nevada Primary Funding: Federal, Private DRI hydrologists are using Google Earth Engine and Google

throughout Nevada; and to monitor and forecast drought conditions across the state.

to partner with the state s universities along with national and international agencies to develop technological advances that will keep Nevada on the forefront of

12 12 Mapping Agricultural Water Consumption Location: Northern and Southern Nevada Primary Funding: Federal, Private DRI hydrologists are using Google Earth Engine and Google cloud computing resources to analyze Landsat Satellite imagery and climate data to better understand the long-term variability of water use by vegetation and agriculture throughout Nevada; and to monitor and forecast drought conditions across the state. Map of northern Mason Valley, NV showing irrigated fields (polygons) METRIC Program This will help create much needed jobs throughout the state and allow for opportunities to partner with the state s universities along with national and international agencies to develop technological advances that will keep Nevada on the forefront of scientific innovation, - Governor Brain Sandoval Solving critical water issues and mapping agricultural consumptive water use across the state. Making it economically feasible for water resource monitoring of vegetation and groundwater use over large areas of Nevada in real-time.

13 Cloud Seeding Program Location: Northern and Southern Nevada

Drought conditions in 1977 prompted then- Nevada Governor Mike O

Seeding Project, which seeds clouds nearly every winter in

Augmented snow water has averaged 64,000 acre-feet during the last

13 13 Cloud Seeding Program Location: Northern and Southern Nevada Primary Funding: Local, Private, (State funding ended in 2008) Drought conditions in 1977 prompted then- Nevada Governor Mike O Callaghan to authorize the first Emergency Cloud Seeding Project, with DRI at the helm. This emergency measure evolved into the State of Nevada Cloud Seeding Project, which seeds clouds nearly every winter in northern Nevada watersheds to increase spring runoff. Augmented snow water has averaged 64,000 acre-feet during the last 15 years. That s enough to supply 140,000 households with water annually. Supporting cloud-seeding operations throughout the Colorado River System.

14 14 Hydraulic Fracturing in Nevada Location: Eastern Nevada Primary Funding: Private DRI was called upon by the NDOM and NDEP to provide baseline water quality data and hydrologic flow and transport monitoring Aquifer Quality Assessment Program (AQUA Program) Analyzing the potential fate and transport of hydraulic fracturing fluids in the Noble Lease Areas, located in the upper Humboldt River Basin. Research Phases: 1. Research maximum amount of chemicals to be used in a single stage of stimulation treatment and hydrologic conditions 2. Water quality monitoring before, during and after hydraulic fracturing 3. Numerical modeling of fracking chemical migration potential following hydraulic fracturing For the first time in any US-based hydraulic fracturing operation, DRI is collecting and reporting baseline hydrologic conditions and water chemistry conditions in an area with no previous oil production and hydraulic fracturing.

15 Examples of other research benefiting Nevada Public Lands 15 Traced selenium toxins in Clark County wetlands adjacent to Vegas wash Baseline Data Collection for the McCarren Ranch Restoration Characterization of Periphyton and Macronutrients in the South Fork of the Humboldt River and Limnological Assessment of the South Fork Reservoir, NV NDEP Analytical Support and the Development of Indices of Biological Integrity for Algal Populations in the Lower Truckee River, Nevada Visibility and Air Pollution characterization in the Las Vegas Valley Erosion control monitoring for the Dept. of Transportation Finalizing a Nevada Wetland Program Plan (WWP) and Assessing Biotic Integrity of the State's Priority Wetlands: Isolated Great Basin and Mojave Desert Springs Watershed-Based Plan for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe

Thank You DRI strives to be a global leader in providing science, technology and innovation to sustain Earth s environment and to improve people lives throughout Nevada and around the world.

16 Thank You DRI strives to be a global leader in providing science, technology and innovation to sustain Earth s environment and to improve people lives throughout Nevada and around the world. Our faculty, students and staff provide a profound economic impact to Nevada, by leveraging ~ $5 for every state dollar invested. DRI has long been, and continues to be, the Go To non-profit entity to support fundamental scientific, economic, social or educational investigations and applied research throughout Nevada. How can we help you?