County of Nevada Government News Digest

In the immediate aftermath of the severe winter weather of early 2023, the Nevada County Office of Emergency Services launched the Winter Storm Hazardous Vegetation Cleanup Project. This program was designed to ensure that 100 miles of county roads were cleared of storm debris.

County staff will discuss three replacement alternatives for the Edwards Crossing Bridge and the environmental impacts that would result from each. A draft environmental impact report will be available through Nov. 14 for the public to review.

The Nevada County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 13 will hear Rise Grass Valley’s petition for recognition of vested rights to conduct mining operations at the Idaho Maryland Mine.

The Nevada County Arts Council, in partnership with Nevada County, has launched a program called Art in Public Places. Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra will create an exhibit that will require many, many origami cranes.

The 2023 Nevada County Community Survey poses 44 questions that locals can answer until Oct. 24.

The Nevada County Board of Supervisors has rescheduled a hearing to Dec. 13 on Rise Grass Valley’s petition for vested rights to conduct mining operations at the Idaho Maryland Mine. The hearing was originally scheduled for Oct. 27.

The grant from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is intended to assist the department in reducing alcohol-related harm in the community.

The Grass Valley native says his priorities if elected will be housing, public safety and emergency preparedness, maintaining the high quality of life through well-planned growth and agriculture, and supporting small businesses and economic development.

Nevada County’s sheriff now has a voice in the establishment of standards, selection, regulations and trainings for all California law enforcement.

In an effort to expand the governmental reach to eastern Nevada County, the Board of Supervisors bypassed their normal meeting chambers in Nevada City for the Truckee Town Hall Administrative Center, from where District 5 Supervisor Hardy Bullock holds office.

The Judges of the Nevada County Superior Court have announced the appointment of Laila A. Waheed to the position of Court Executive Officer.

Rise Ben Mossman has been found guilty of 13 environmental crimes in British Columbia. It’s unclear how his September sentencing will influence the Nevada County Board of Supervisors, which is expected to hold hearings on plans by Mossman’s company to reopen the Idaho-Maryland mine.

Hardy Bullock announced he will seek a second term on the Nevada County Board of Supervisors.

The Nevada County Superior Court issued a final ruling in Young v. Diaz, a public records act case concerning election records from the 2020 Presidential election.

The Nevada County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday may approve a resolution that recognizes the Chinatowns of Truckee with a historical landmark plaque.

As the two-day hearing regarding the proposed re-opening of the Idaho-Maryland gold mine wound down on May 11, Nevada County Planning Commissioner Terry McAteer cited the actions of Lorenzo Sawyer, who moved to Nevada City as a gold miner in 1850 and left the work to become a lawyer after witnessing first hand the detrimental impacts of mining.

Nevada County Agriculture Commissioner Chris de Nijs has been appointed to the National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee, which advises the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack on recommendations for the department’s wildlife services program.

The Nevada County Planning Commission will consider the reopening of the Idaho-Maryland Mine by Rise Grass Valley Inc. on May 10 (and 11 if needed) at the Eric Rood Administrative Center in Nevada City. Planning staff released a report in advance of the hearing with recommendations and action items.

Nevada County Continuum of Care in connection with Bright Futures for Youth’s SAFE program will conduct a survey May 9-11 to determine how many children and young adults are experiencing housing instability. The results could pave the way for more funding and services.

Nevada County Supervisor Hoek and staff broke ground on the McCourtney Road Transfer Station Improvement Project, which will repurpose the station’s footprint to accommodate the demand for recycling and solid waste services.

Nevada County’s Environmental Health Department will hold five Mosquito Fish Giveaways from May 11 to July 6. Environmental Health Director Amy Irani says, “By reducing the mosquito population in larvae form, you can reduce the mosquito population and your risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases.”

Michelle Bodley was sworn in as the new Nevada County Treasurer-Tax Collector during the Nevada County Board of Supervisors meeting on April 25.

The Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission has designated the Rome Power House—the first and only hydroelectric generating plant on the South Yuba River—as a historical landmark.

The Nevada County Planning Department released a staff report on the proposed Idaho Maryland Mine – Rise Grass Valley Project ahead of the May 10 Planning Commission meeting. It provides two recommendations: one denying the application and one granting it with mitigation measures.

The Veterans Services Office has launched its fourth annual online “All Veterans Survey,” which will help shape the VSO’s strategic plan. Some 500 veterans responded last year.

Nevada County residents who want more legal cannabis retail businesses in unincorporated areas may gain dispensaries, but some neighbors are pushing for exclusion zones to keep grows out of neighborhoods.

Heba El-Guindy has joined Nevada County as director of public works, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in the public and private sectors to the position.

Grass Valley property owners whose home or business is located above the site of the proposed Idaho-Maryland Mine owned by Rise Corporation gathered together to organize and sign a group letter to present to the Nevada County Planning Commission.

MineWatch, a coalition led by the Community Environmental Advocates Foundation, submitted a letter to the Nevada County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors in opposition to the re-opening of the Idaho-Maryland Mine in Grass Valley. The Planning Commission will hold a hearing on May 10.

The annual Point-in-Time survey of people experiencing homelessness in Placer and Nevada County was conducted Jan. 25=Feb. 3 by 150 volunteers, nonprofit, and city and county staff.