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Governor Cleared In
Etreppid Investigation
Governor Jim Gibbons today issued the following statement
regarding federal investigators concluding their investigation
of his involvement in the eTreppid case and clearing him of any
wrongdoing:
"About two years ago, false accusations about me surfaced
in the midst of some contentious litigation involving the
eTreppid Company. Now, federal investigators, including the FBI,
have confirmed what I have said all along. These accusations are
baseless and there is not a shred of evidence showing I did
anything improper. In case you haven't noticed there is a
pattern of false accusations against me that become widely
reported and then are proven to be absolutely untrue. I think
the Lamoille tax matter and the eTreppid case are two glaring
examples of bogus charges trumped up by certain biased
individuals and some who wish to make political gain out of it.
I am mystified and disturbed that elected leaders in this
state don't seem to be able to set aside partisanship for even
five minutes to come up with solutions to the problems our
citizens face. Government should meet the needs of the people,
people shouldn't be forced to meet the needs of government.
I am working on ideas to get our economy back on track. I
don't care where good ideas come from. To paraphrase Ronald
Reagan, "You can accomplish a lot when you don't care who gets
the credit."
Right now, we need to be working together on improving the
economy, attracting more tourists, getting major construction
projects restarted, getting people their jobs back and creating
new jobs, building geothermal power, solar power and wind power,
protecting the safety of our people, educating our citizens and
all the other things government should be doing to help people.
No matter who ends up as our next president, we don't have
time to wait for the economy to improve or the housing market to
perk up or new jobs to be created. We need to take action now
and Nevadans are just the people to do it. A pioneering spirit
built this state. That same spirit will dig us out of the
problems we are facing now. The government of the state of
Nevada will help out wherever needed, and we will stay out of
the way if we are not.
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Governor Signs Executive Order To
Conserve Sage-Grouse And Its Habitat
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Governor Jim Gibbons today announced his signature
of an executive order outlining state policy on the
conservation of the greater sage-grouse and
protection of its habitat in Nevada.
The executive order states that “it is the policy of
the state of Nevada to protect and preserve
sage-grouse habitat whenever possible.” The order
also directs the Nevada Department of Wildlife “to
continue to work with state and federal agencies and
the interested public to fully implement the
recommendations of the 2004 Governor’s Sage-Grouse
Plan” in an effort to protect sage grouse habitat.
Governor Jim Gibbons spotting sage grouse
on a lek in northern Washoe County. Spring 2008
“I urge all our state agencies and federal partners
to recognize the challenges we face and work
together to protect the sagebrush ecosystem this
unique species relies upon,” the Governor said. “Our
state has about 32 million acres of the greater
sage-grouse habitat in the West. This is critical
habitat, and if we do not protect it, the effects
could be widespread, particularly for economic
development and Nevada’s rural economy.”
Sage grouse habitats in Nevada have been declining
in recent years. Since 1999, more than 6 million
acres of Nevada rangelands have burned, much of this
being greater sage-grouse habitat. Those wildfires
and other factors have negatively affected more than
60 percent of sage grouse breeding grounds and
habitats. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is
considering listing the sage grouse as an endangered
species, with a critical decision on the issue
coming in December.
Nevada Department of Wildlife Director Ken Mayer
said the Governor’s policy direction is a strong
statement of support.
“I was very pleased to see the Governor take this
positive step,” Mayer said. “It shows Nevada’s
commitment to sage grouse conservation. This is a
clear message to all state, federal and local
agencies that sage grouse are important and that we
must continue to work together to ensure their
viability for the long-term across the landscape.”
Sage Grouse Executive Order |
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