The Nevada Tahoe Conservation District awarded its annual Conservation Organization of the Year award to Washoe County’s Public Works Department. In recognizing the County’s dedication to conservation in the Lake Tahoe area, it was noted that over the past decade Washoe County’s Public Works Department has planned, designed and installed over $18 million in storm water treatment projects meeting the goals and objectives of the environmental improvement program of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. Specifically, the Conservation District recognized Public Works team members Dan St. John, Kimble Corbridge, Kris Klein, and Dick Minto for their professionalism and dedication.

The County was also recognized by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) in receiving their Milestone 1 Achievement Award. This award recognizes that Washoe County has achieved Step 1 of the 5-step process required by ICLEI to address climate change and work towards a sustainable future. The first step which Washoe County has completed is to conduct a baseline emissions inventory and forecast. The County’s “Green Team” comprised of county employees from various disciplines is currently working on steps 2 and 3, adopting an emissions reduction target and development of a climate action plan for reducing emissions, respectively. As with the baseline emissions inventory and forecast, these items will be presented to the County Commission for approval before officially submitted to the ICLEI.

Finally, the County Commission proclaimed January 2011 as National Radon Action Month in Washoe County, and urged all citizens to test their homes for radon, mitigate elevated levels of radon and have new homes built with radon-reducing materials and features. Washoe County residents are encouraged to contact the UNR Cooperative Extension Service at 784-4848.