Under existing law, it is unlawful to cut, destroy, mutilate, pick or remove any flora on any: (1) private lands without a written permit from the owner, occupant or authorized agent of the owner or occupant; or (2) state lands under the jurisdiction of the Division of State Parks of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources except in accordance with regulations of the Division. (NRS 527.050) Further, no flora on the list of fully protected species may be removed or destroyed from any other land except pursuant to a special permit issued by the State Forester Firewarden. (NRS 527.050, 527.270) Section 1 of this bill declares that it is the policy of this State to protect the Spring Valley population of Rocky Mountain junipers, known as “swamp cedars,” that occur in White Pine County within the Bahsahwahbee Traditional Cultural Property. Sections 1 and 2 of this bill make it unlawful for any swamp cedar within that property to willfully or negligently be cut, destroyed, mutilated or removed without first obtaining a special permit from the State Forester Firewarden. Section 2 also revises the existing exemption for Indians native to Nevada who gather flora for certain reasons to remove the requirement that such Indians be native to Nevada.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 527.050
Reprint 1: 527.050
As Enrolled: 527.050