Biaggi to lead environment agency

Wednesday, May 20, 1998 | 10:13 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Allen Biaggi, an 18-year employee with the state Division of Environmental Protection, has been named its administrator.

Biaggi, 40, succeeds Lou Dodgion who is retiring in July.

Biaggi, the current deputy administrator, will earn $86,084 as head of the agency with about 170 employees that regulates Nevada's air and water pollution, solid waste, hazardous waste and mining reclamation.

The appointment was announced today by Pete Morros, director of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, who said there were at least eight applicants vying to replace Dodgion who has been at the agency for more than 20 years.

In his current position, Biaggi manages the bureau of air pollution control, water quality planning, water pollution control and mining reclamation. Biaggi's previous duties include chief of the corrective actions bureau responsible for underground storage tanks, the Superfund and environmental remedial programs.

"Allen has the well-balanced set of skills, education and experience needed for exercising good judgment in the environmental decision-making process," Morros said.

Biaggi was recently appointed by Gov. Bob Miller as the liaison between federal, state and local agencies in the investigation of the explosion at the Sierra Chemical plant east of Sparks that killed four people.

Biaggi, who has served as head of the Lake Mead Water Quality Forum and chairman of the Carson Valley Health Center's liaison board, has a bachelor's degree in hydrology from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Biaggi takes over his new position July 1.