Nevada wildlife program in deep financial trouble

Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005 | 11:07 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Nevada's wildlife program faces grave financial problems, and a lawsuit by out-of-state hunters could shut the big-game season down this year.

The state Wildlife Department had to borrow $3 million to get through this fiscal year. Its reserve fund is drained and the increased license fees approved in 2003 haven't produced the expected revenue.

Terry Crawforth, the director of the department, told the budget committees of the Legislature Tuesday the agency should have $4 million in reserve to handle cash flow problems but in June 2007, it will have only $55,045.

He said that he eliminated three positions this biennium in Northern Nevada and will delete five positions in the coming two years. Four of the five are game wardens in Las Vegas.

Outside the hearing, he said that will leave only two game wardens in Las Vegas.

"If a mountain lion shows up in a back yard and our two wardens are investigating a fatality on Lake Mead, we will not be able to respond," he said.

The increased fees imposed by the 2003 Legislature are coming up $100,000 to $300,000 short of projections each year.

And to exacerbate the problem, a group of out-of-state hunters have sued the department in federal court in Las Vegas, seeking to force an equal division of big game tags.

At present, Crawforth said 10 percent goes to out-of-state hunters. Arizona was sued on this issue and lost in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Crawforth said the out-of-staters are threatening to get a restraining order from the federal court to delay the opening of the big game season this year. Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said that could have an impact on the finances of the department.

Crawforth replied, "If that happens, we may as well turn out the lights and lock the doors."

Out-of-state sportsmen are not concerned about the higher license fees they pay, but want equal access to the big game tags. Much of the department's revenue comes from the big game licenses and tags. The division does not get general fund money but is supported by fees and federal grants.

Gov. Kenny Guinn has recommended a budget of $24.8 million this coming year, down from the $24.9 million in the present fiscal year. And the budget for 2007 would be $24.4 million.

Two years ago, there was support from the sportsmen in Nevada for a fee increase. This time, Crawforth said "Hunters and anglers are about at the end of what they are willing to pay." There would not be any backing from them this year for a license increase, he said.

"There are not as many places to hunt and fish," he said, noting the five- year drought. "Sales (of licenses) are flat."

Asked about the deer herd, Crawforth said "There have been some losses. The deer population is stressed," because of the heavy winter. He said that would cut into the revenue of the department that has about 230 employees.

The budget committees also heard from David Morrow, administrator of the state Division of Parks who said he wanted to improve the facilities to generate more money from visitors.