PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF TIMBERED LANDS, TREES AND FLORA

Nev. Rev. Stat. 527

in effect

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.010 Unlawful cutting or removal of timber from land held by inchoate title or title less than fee simple; penalty.

1. It is unlawful for any person or corporation to cut down or remove, or cause to be cut down or removed, any wood, timber or trees on or from any land in this state, to which land this state or any person or corporation has or may have an inchoate title, or any title less than fee simple. The provisions of this subsection apply to the owner of such inchoate title, or title less than fee simple, the same as to other persons and corporations. 2. If any owner of an inchoate title to land in this state, or title to such land less than fee simple, or any other person or corporation, violates the provisions of subsection 1, such person or corporation is guilty of a public offense, as prescribed in NRS 193.155 , proportionate to the value of the trees, wood or timber cut down or removed, and in no event less than a misdemeanor.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.020 Unlawful cutting or removal of timber from state land; penalty.

If any person cuts down or removes any tree, wood or timber from any land in this state, to which this state has a fee simple title, or an inchoate title, by reason of grant from the United States, such person is guilty of a public offense, as prescribed in NRS 193.155, proportionate to the value of the trees, wood or timber cut down or removed, and in no event less than a misdemeanor.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.030 Issue of fact as to title to real property.

If an issue of fact be joined, as to the title to real property, in any action under the provisions of NRS 527.010 to 527.040, inclusive, the action shall thereupon be certified by the justice of the peace in whose court it may be pending to the district court of the same county, and therein tried and finally determined as if the same had been originally commenced therein.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.040 Construction of provisions.

Nothing in NRS 527.010 to 527.040, inclusive, shall be so construed as: 1. To affect or impair the provisions of chapter 326 of NRS. 2. To prevent the cutting and using by actual settlers upon such lands as are specified in NRS 527.010 to 527.040 , inclusive, of such wood as may be necessary for domestic uses, or of such timber as may be necessary for making permanent improvements upon such lands.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.050 Unlawful removal or destruction of trees or flora; penalty; enforcement; exemption.

1. It is unlawful for any person, firm, company or corporation, his, her, its or their agent or agents, willfully or negligently: (a) To cut, destroy, mutilate, pick or remove any tree, shrub, plant, fern, wild flower, cacti, desert or montane flora, or any seeds, roots or bulbs of either or any of the foregoing from any private lands, without obtaining: (1) A written permit therefor from the owner or occupant or the duly authorized agent of the owner or occupant; and (2) If the flora: (I) Has been placed on the list of fully protected species pursuant to NRS 527.270 , a special permit issued by the State Forester Firewarden pursuant to NRS 527.270 ; and (II) Is a swamp cedar described in NRS 527.055 , a special permit issued by the State Forester Firewarden pursuant to NRS 527.055 . (b) To cut, destroy, mutilate, pick or remove any flora on any state lands under the jurisdiction of the Division of State Parks of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources without: (1) Complying with regulations of the Division of State Parks; and (2) If the flora: (I) Has been placed on the list of fully protected species pursuant to NRS 527.270 , obtaining a special permit issued by the State Forester Firewarden pursuant to NRS 527.270 ; and (II) Is a swamp cedar described in NRS 527.055 , a special permit issued by the State Forester Firewarden pursuant to NRS 527.055 . (c) To cut, destroy, mutilate, pick or remove any flora from any lands within the State of Nevada not otherwise described in paragraphs (a) and (b) without obtaining: (1) If the flora has been placed on the list of fully protected species pursuant to NRS 527.270 , a special permit issued by the State Forester Firewarden pursuant to NRS 527.270 ; and (2) If the flora is a swamp cedar described in NRS 527.055 , a special permit issued by the State Forester Firewarden pursuant to NRS 527.055 . Ê For the purposes of this subsection, the State Forester Firewarden may establish regulations for enforcement, including the issuance of collecting permits and the designation of state and federal agencies from which such permits may be obtained. 2. Every person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a public offense proportionate to the value of the plants, flowers, trees, seeds, roots or bulbs cut, destroyed, mutilated, picked or removed, and in no event less than a misdemeanor. 3. The State Forester Firewarden and his or her representatives, public officials charged with the administration of reserved and unreserved lands belonging to the United States, and peace officers shall enforce the provisions of this section. 4. Except as to flora that has been placed on the list of fully protected species of native flora pursuant to NRS 527.270 or as to flora on state park lands regulated by the Division of State Parks, the provisions of this section do not apply to Indians who gather any such article for food or for medicinal or ceremonial use.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.055 Declaration of state policy; unlawful acts; regulations of State Forester Firewarden.

1. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of Nevada to protect the Spring Valley population of Rocky Mountain junipers ( Juniperus scopulorum ), known as swamp cedars, that occur in White Pine County within the Bahsahwahbee Traditional Cultural Property as such swamp cedars are a rare occurrence of low-elevation Rocky Mountain junipers and are considered sacred by certain Native American tribes in the State. 2. It is unlawful for any person, firm, company or corporation, his, her, its or their agent or agents, willfully or negligently to cut, destroy, mutilate or remove any swamp cedar described in subsection 1 without first obtaining a special permit from the State Forester Firewarden and complying with any other applicable requirements set forth in NRS 527.050 . 3. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the State Forester Firewarden may adopt regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. The State Forester Firewarden may not charge a fee for a special permit to cut, destroy, mutilate or remove any swamp cedar described in subsection 1.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.060 Definitions.

As used in NRS 527.060 to 527.120, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. Cactus includes any member of the Cactaceae family. 2. Christmas tree includes any evergreen tree or part thereof cut and removed from the place where grown without the foliage being removed. 3. Yucca includes any member of the genus Yucca.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.070 Notice required for removal or possession for commercial purposes; registration and permit.

1. For the purpose of NRS 527.060 to 527.120 , inclusive, the removal or possession of Christmas trees, cacti or yucca for commercial purposes means the removal or possession of six or more of such plants in any 1 calendar day or the removal or possession of less than six of such plants each for 7 or more consecutive calendar days, except removal or possession of the plants for scientific or educational purposes with the permission of the owner of the plants. 2. A person proposing to remove or possess any Christmas tree, cactus or yucca for commercial purposes on any state, county or privately owned lands shall notify the State Forester Firewarden. Upon receipt of such notice the State Forester Firewarden shall provide the person with registration forms, and such forms must be completed and returned to the State Forester Firewarden at least 10 days before removal or possession of the plant. If it appears to the State Forester Firewarden that the person who has registered is entitled to remove or possess the plant, the State Forester Firewarden shall issue a permit to ship the plant, and a sufficient number of tags so that each plant may be tagged if the source of the plants to be removed or possessed is not federal land.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.080 Shipping permits.

1. Christmas trees, cacti or yucca which are removed or possessed for commercial purposes in Nevada and which are to be transported by railroad or other means to other localities in or out of the State of Nevada must be accompanied by a shipping permit issued by the State Forester Firewarden, or the State Forester Firewardens duly authorized agent. 2. Christmas trees, cacti or yucca which are shipped into the State of Nevada must be accompanied by a shipping permit if required by the laws of the state of origin, or by a duly notarized permit or contract signed by the landowner, or the landowners authorized agent, showing the origin by legal land description and the number of plants in the lot being transported.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.090 Tag required; fee.

1. All Christmas trees, cacti or yucca removed or possessed for commercial purposes must have attached thereto a tag issued by the State Forester Firewarden, by the Bureau of Land Management or by the United States Forest Service. 2. The State Forester Firewarden may charge a reasonable fee for each tag to help defray costs to the State for enforcement of the laws regulating removal or possession of Christmas trees, cacti or yucca. Money collected by the State Forester Firewarden shall be deposited in the appropriate fund of the State Forester Firewarden.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.100 Unlawful acts; regulations of State Forester Firewarden; exception for necessary cutting or trimming by public utility or logging operation.

1. Except as otherwise provided by law, it is unlawful for any person, firm, company or corporation, his, her, its or their agent or agents, willfully or negligently to cut, destroy, mutilate, remove or possess any Christmas tree, cactus, yucca or branches thereof, or knowingly transport or sell any Christmas tree, cactus, yucca or its branches from any of the lands owned by or under the jurisdiction of the State of Nevada or its counties, or on any reserved or unreserved lands owned by the United States, or from any privately owned lands, without written permission from the legal owner, or the legal owners duly authorized agent, specifying locality by legal land description and number of plants to be removed or possessed. 2. For the purpose of sustaining productivity and preservation of the water-supplying functions of Nevada forest lands, the State Forester Firewarden shall adopt such reasonable regulations governing removal or possession of Christmas trees, cacti or yucca as are deemed necessary. 3. This section does not apply to necessary cutting or trimming of such plants if done for maintenance of electric power lines, telephone lines or other property of a public utility, or to a logging operation.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.110 Confiscation of plants unlawfully removed or possessed; sale; disposition of proceeds.

1. Except as provided in subsection 3, the State Forester Firewarden, or the State Forester Firewardens duly authorized agent, officials of the United States Forest Service or of the Bureau of Land Management, and peace officers are hereby authorized to confiscate Christmas trees, cacti or yucca which are removed or possessed in a manner not authorized by law. Plants which are confiscated shall be sold to the highest bidder therefor, by the sheriff of the county wherein the plants were confiscated. The sale shall be held by the sheriff in a like manner as on an execution. 2. If it is determined that the plants originated on privately owned lands, the owner thereof shall be notified of the sale, and the proceeds of the sale, after deducting the costs thereof, shall be paid over to the owner. 3. If the owner of the lands cannot be determined, or if the plants originated on state lands, the State Forester Firewarden may dispose of the plants without selling them to the highest bidder. If the plants are sold, the net proceeds of sale shall be deposited in the State General Fund. 4. If the plants originated on land owned by the Government of the United States, the net proceeds shall be paid over to the federal agency administering the lands.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.120 Penalty.

Every person who violates any provision of NRS 527.060 to 527.110, inclusive, not otherwise punishable, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.122 Definitions.

As used in NRS 527.122 to 527.128, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. Authority means the State Forester Firewarden, or a local government, whichever is charged with responsibility for fire protection in the area where a prescribed fire is to take place. 2. Prescribed fire means the prescribed application of fire to natural vegetation under specified conditions and after precautionary actions have been taken to ensure that the fire is confined to a predetermined area.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.124 Regulations.

The State Forester Firewarden shall adopt such regulations as the State Forester Firewarden deems necessary to carry out and enforce the provisions of NRS 527.126 and 527.128.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.126 Requirements to conduct fire; governmental immunity.

1. The authority may authorize an agency of this state or any political subdivision of this state to commence a prescribed fire. 2. A prescribed fire must be conducted: (a) Pursuant to a written plan which has been submitted to and authorized by the authority; and (b) Under the direct supervision of at least one person who is qualified to oversee such fires and who remains on-site for the duration of the fire. 3. A prescribed fire which is commenced pursuant to this section and which complies with laws relating to air pollution shall be deemed in the best interest of the public and not to constitute a public or private nuisance. 4. The State of Nevada, an agency of this state or any political subdivision or local government of this state, or any officer or employee thereof, is not liable for any damage or injury to property or persons, including death, which is caused by a prescribed fire that is authorized pursuant to this section, unless the fire was conducted in a grossly negligent manner.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.128 Contents of written plan; maintenance of plan on-site for duration of fire; establishment of qualifications for person to oversee fire.

1. The written plan required by NRS 527.126 must remain on-site for the duration of the fire. The plan must be prepared by a person qualified to oversee a prescribed fire and contain at least: (a) A description and map of the area to be burned; (b) A list of the personnel and equipment necessary to commence and control the fire; (c) A description of the meteorological factors that must be present before commencing a prescribed fire, including surface wind speed and direction, transport wind speed and direction, minimum mixing height, minimum relative humidity, maximum temperature and fine fuel moisture; (d) A description of considerations related to common behavioral patterns of fires in the area to be burned, including various burning techniques, the anticipated length of the flame and the anticipated speed of the fire; and (e) The signature of the person who prepared the plan. 2. Before signing the written plan, the person qualified to oversee the fire must evaluate and approve the anticipated impact of the fire on surrounding areas which are sensitive to smoke. 3. The State Forester Firewarden shall establish the qualifications for a person to oversee a prescribed fire.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.130 Definitions.

As used in NRS 527.130 to 527.230, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. Control means preventing, retarding, suppressing, eradicating or destroying forest pests. 2. Forest or forest land means land on which occurs a stand or potential stand of trees valuable for timber products, watershed or wildlife protection, recreational uses or for other purposes. 3. Forest pest means any insect or disease which is determined by the State Forester to be harmful, injurious or destructive to forests or timber. 4. Infestation means actual, potential, incipient or emergency infestation or infection by forest pests. 5. Owner means any person owning any forest or forest lands. 6. State Forester means the State Forester Firewarden. 7. Timber includes forest trees, standing or down, dead or alive.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.140 Purposes of provisions for control of forest insects and diseases; forest pests declared public nuisance.

1. The purposes of NRS 527.130 to 527.230 , inclusive, are to protect and preserve the forests of this state, promote the stability of forest-using industries, protect recreational wildlife, and to aid in pest and fire control. 2. Forest pests are hereby declared to be a public nuisance.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.150 Powers of State Forester Firewarden.

The State Forester may, subject to the administrative supervision of the Director of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: 1. Employ personnel. 2. Procure necessary equipment, supplies and services. 3. Enter into contracts in the name of the State Forester. 4. Designate or appoint as his or her representatives employees of his or her cooperators, including employees of the United States or any agency thereof. 5. Adopt reasonable regulations for effectuating the purposes of NRS 527.130 to 527.230 , inclusive.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.160 Duty to survey and investigate to determine presence of forest pests.

The State Forester shall make surveys and investigations to determine the presence of infestations of forest pests. Representatives of the State Forester may enter at reasonable times on public and private lands to make such determinations.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.170 Zones of infestation prescribed by State Forester Firewarden.

Whenever the State Forester finds that an area in the State of Nevada is infested or threatened to be infested with forest pests, which infestation is of such character as to be harmful, detrimental, injurious or dangerous to timber and forest growth, the State Forester shall prescribe a zone of infestation covering the area in which control measures are to be applied.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.180 Direction to owners within established zone to destroy forest pests: Service; publication.

1. The State Forester shall immediately serve written notice by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, upon all owners within the established zone, to proceed without delay to destroy the forest pests. 2. In addition to the written notice, the State Forester shall cause to be published a legal description of the boundaries of the zone of infestation at least once a week for 2 consecutive weeks in one or more newspapers having a general circulation in the county or counties in which the zone of infestation is established.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.190 Application of measures to control infestation.

Upon the establishment of a zone of infestation, the State Forester shall proceed to apply, or cause to be applied, measures of infestation control on public and private forests and other lands within such zone, and to any trees, timber, shrubs, plants or flora harboring or which may harbor forest pests.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.200 State Forester Firewarden may eradicate forest pests upon failure of owner after notice; costs of eradication constitute lien; collection of costs.

1. If an owner fails to take appropriate measures to destroy forest pests on the owners property within 30 days after the service of notice to do so as provided in NRS 527.180 , the State Forester may, without further notice, take such action as the State Forester deems necessary to effect control measures to eradicate the forest pests upon the land. 2. The cost of any such control measures may be paid from the Division of Forestry Account, but the costs, or such portion thereof as the State Forester may determine, is a lien on all land of the owner within the zone of infestation. 3. The State Forester, subject to the approval of the Director of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, may apply, on such basis as the State Forester deems equitable, any money made available to the department by the Federal Government, by the State or by any public or private agency for the purpose of controlling forest pests to defray all or any portion of the cost of control measures effected on privately owned lands. 4. Upon completion of control measures on any privately owned lands, the State Forester shall file with the board of county commissioners of the county or counties in which the lands are located an itemized and sworn statement setting forth the date when the work was done, the nature of the work and the portion of the cost thereof not defrayed by money made available under subsection 3 and chargeable to each owner upon whose lands the work was performed. The board of county commissioners shall thereupon present a bill to each owner for the costs payable by the owner, and if the owner fails for 30 days thereafter to pay the bill, it and costs must be collected in the manner in which delinquent taxes are collected.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.210 Dissolution of zone.

Whenever the State Forester shall determine that forest pest control work within an established zone of infestation is no longer necessary or feasible, the State Forester shall dissolve the zone.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.220 Cooperation with governmental agencies and organizations.

The State Forester, subject to the approval of the Director of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, may: 1. Cooperate with the United States or any agency thereof, agencies of the State, county or municipal governments, agencies of neighboring states or other public or private organizations or persons. 2. Use when available personnel, control equipment, supplies or services of the State Department of Agriculture, and accept money, equipment, supplies or services, including prison labor, from other cooperators as the State Forester may deem appropriate. 3. Enter into agreements with the United States or its agencies for the matching of federal money as required under the laws of the United States relating to forest pests.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.230 Division of Forestry Account: Creation; receipt and disposition of money; nonreversion.

1. The Division of Forestry Account is hereby created in the State General Fund. 2. In addition to the money deposited pursuant to NRS 209.231 and 472.050 , all moneys received by the State Forester for the purposes of: (a) NRS 527.130 to 527.230 , inclusive, including, without limitation, all moneys collected pursuant to NRS 527.200 ; and (b) NRS 527.260 to 527.300 , inclusive, including, without limitation, all moneys collected from the issuance of special permits pursuant to NRS 527.270 , Ê must be deposited in the Division of Forestry Account and accounted for separately. 3. Costs of administration of NRS 527.130 to 527.230 , inclusive, and 527.260 to 527.300 , inclusive, must be paid from the Division of Forestry Account on claims presented by the State Forester in the manner other claims against the State are paid. 4. No moneys received for the purposes of NRS 527.130 to 527.230 , inclusive, or 527.260 to 527.300 , inclusive, may be used for any purpose except to carry out the provisions of NRS 527.130 to 527.230 , inclusive, or 527.260 to 527.300 , inclusive, as applicable. 5. Any money received for the purposes of NRS 527.130 to 527.230 , inclusive, or 527.260 to 527.300 , inclusive, that is remaining in the Account at the end of the fiscal year does not revert to the State General Fund, and the balance of that money must be carried forward to the next fiscal year.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.240 Declaration of state policy.

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of Nevada to protect the tree known as the single-leaf pinon (Pinus monophylla), which is the official state tree of the State of Nevada, which has from time immemorial been a staple food of the Indians of Nevada, and which may be threatened with extinction in the State if mechanical harvesting of its seed, the pine nut, is permitted.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.250 Unlawful without written permit; penalty; enforcement.

1. It is unlawful for any person, firm, company or corporation to use a mechanical device to harvest cones or pine nuts from a pinon tree on lands owned by or under the control of the State of Nevada, or on any private lands without a written permit therefor from the owner or occupant of the land or the authorized agent of the owner or occupant. 2. Any violation of the provisions of this section is a misdemeanor. 3. The State Forester Firewarden and his or her representatives and all peace officers shall enforce the provisions of this section.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.260 Legislative finding.

1. The Legislature finds that: (a) The economic growth of the State of Nevada has been attended with some serious and unfortunate consequences. Nevada has experienced the extermination or extirpation of some of its native species of flora. Serious losses have occurred and are occurring in other species of flora with important economic, educational, historical, political, recreational, scientific and aesthetic values. (b) The people of the State of Nevada have an obligation to conserve and protect the various species of flora which are threatened with extinction. 2. The purpose of NRS 527.260 to 527.300 , inclusive, is to provide a program for the conservation, protection, restoration and propagation of selected species of flora and for the perpetuation of the habitats of such species.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.270 List of fully protected species declared to be threatened with extinction; special permit required for removal or destruction.

A species or subspecies of native flora shall be regarded as threatened with extinction when the State Forester Firewarden, after consultation with competent authorities, determines that its existence is endangered and its survival requires assistance because of overexploitation, disease or other factors or because its habitat is threatened with destruction, drastic modification or severe curtailment. Any species declared to be threatened with extinction shall be placed on the list of fully protected species, and no member of its kind may be removed or destroyed at any time by any means except under special permit issued by the State Forester Firewarden.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.280 Destruction or removal of dangerous species by State Forester Firewarden.

Where any species of flora which is declared to be in danger of extinction pursuant to NRS 527.270 is found to be dangerous to domestic animals or fowl or a menace to health, the State Forester Firewarden may provide for its destruction or its removal, alive, for translocating.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.290 Duties of Governor.

The Governor shall review the programs which the Governor administers and, to the extent practicable, utilize such programs in furtherance of the purpose of NRS 527.260 to 527.300, inclusive, and shall encourage other state and federal agencies to use their authorities in such a manner.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.300 Powers and duties of State Forester Firewarden.

In carrying out the program authorized by NRS 527.260 to 527.300, inclusive, the State Forester Firewarden, subject to the approval of the Director of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, shall cooperate, to the maximum extent practicable, with other states and with the counties in the State of Nevada, and may enter into agreements with such other states and counties and with other legal entities for the administration and management of any area established pursuant to NRS 527.260 to 527.300, inclusive, for the conservation, protection, restoration and propagation of species of native flora which are threatened with extinction.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.330 Establishment and purpose; regulations.

1. The Board of Regents of the University of Nevada shall establish a state arboretum at each of the universities within the Nevada System of Higher Education to increase the knowledge and appreciation of the public of flora indigenous to Nevada and from other areas and to provide a place where they may be planted and cultivated as memorials. 2. The Board of Regents shall adopt regulations for the establishment and maintenance of the arboreta.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.340 Enactment and text of Compact. [Effective on the date the Governor declares that this State has ratified the Great Plains Wildland Fire Protection Compact and the States entry has been approved.]

The Great Plains Wildland Fire Protection Compact is hereby ratified, enacted into law and entered into with all jurisdictions legally joining in the Compact, in substantially the form set forth in this section: THE GREAT PLAINS WILDLAND FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT is entered into by and between the State, Provincial and Territorial wildland fire protection agencies signatory hereto, hereinafter referred to as Members. FOR, AND IN CONSIDERATION OF the following terms and conditions, the Members agree: ARTICLE I The purpose of this compact is to promote effective prevention and control of forest fires in the Great Plains region of the United States by the maintenance of adequate forest fire fighting services by the member states, and by providing for reciprocal aid in fighting forest fires among the compacting states of the region, including South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, and any adjoining state of a current member state. ARTICLE II This compact is operative immediately as to those states ratifying it if any two or more of the member states have ratified it. ARTICLE III In each state, the state forester or officer holding the equivalent position who is responsible for forest fire control may act as compact administrator for that state and may consult with like officials of the other member states and may implement cooperation between the states in forest fire prevention and control. The compact administrators of the member states may organize to coordinate the services of the member states and provide administrative integration in carrying out the purposes of this compact. Each member state may formulate and put in effect a forest fire plan for that state. ARTICLE IV If the state forest fire control agency of a member state requests aid from the state forest fire control agency of any other member state in combating, controlling, or preventing forest fires, the state forest fire control agency of that state may render all possible aid to the requesting agency, consonant with the maintenance of protection at home. ARTICLE V If the forces of any member state are rendering outside aid pursuant to the request of another member state under this compact, the employees of the state shall, under the direction of the officers of the state to which they are rendering aid, have the same powers (except the power of arrest), duties, rights, privileges, and immunities as comparable employees of the state to which they are rendering aid. No member state or its officers or employees rendering outside aid pursuant to this compact is liable on account of any act or omission on the part of such forces while so engaged, or on account of the maintenance or use of any equipment or supplies in connection with rendering the outside aid. All liability, except as otherwise provided in this compact, that may arise either under the laws of the requesting state or under the laws of the aiding state or under the laws of a third state on account of or in connection with a request for aid, shall be assumed and borne by the requesting state. Any member state rendering outside aid pursuant to this compact shall be reimbursed by the member state receiving the aid for any loss or damage to, or expense incurred in the operation of any equipment answering a request for aid, and for the cost of all materials, transportation, wages, salaries, and maintenance of employees and equipment incurred in connection with such request. However, nothing in this compact prevents any assisting member state from assuming such loss, damage, expense or other cost or from loaning such equipment or from donating such services to the receiving member state without charge or cost. Each member state shall assure that workers compensation benefits in conformity with the minimum legal requirements of the state are available to all employees and contract firefighters sent to a requesting state pursuant to this compact. For the purposes of this compact the term, employee, includes any volunteer or auxiliary legally included within the forest fire fighting forces of the aiding state under the laws of the aiding state. The compact administrators may formulate procedures for claims and reimbursement under the provisions of this article, in accordance with the laws of the member states. ARTICLE VI Ratification of this compact does not affect any existing statute so as to authorize or permit curtailment or diminution of the forest fighting forces, equipment, services, or facilities of any member state. Nothing in the compact authorizes or permits any member state to curtail or diminish its forest fire fighting forces, equipment, services, or facilities. Each member state shall maintain adequate forest fire fighting forces and equipment to meet demands for forest fire protection within its borders in the same manner and to the same extent as if this compact were not operative. Nothing in this compact limits or restricts the powers of any state ratifying the compact to provide for the prevention, control, and extinguishment of forest fires, or to prohibit the enactment or enforcement of state laws, rules, or regulations intended to aid in the prevention, control, and extinguishment in the state. Nothing in this compact affects any existing or future cooperative relationship or arrangement between the United States Forest Service and a member state or states. ARTICLE VII Representatives of the United States Forest Service may attend meetings of the compact administrators. ARTICLE VIII The provisions of Articles IV and V of this compact that relate to reciprocal aid in combating, controlling, or preventing forest fires are operative as between any state party to this compact and any other state which is party to this compact and any other state that is party to a regional forest fire protection compact in another region if the Legislature of the other state has given its assent to the mutual aid provisions of this compact. ARTICLE IX This compact shall continue in force and remain binding on each state ratifying it until the Legislature or the Governor of the state takes action to withdraw from the compact. Such action is not effective until six months after notice of the withdrawal has been sent by the chief executive of the state desiring to withdraw to the chief executives of all states then parties to the compact.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 527.350 Enactment and text of Agreement. [Effective on the date the Governor declares that this State has ratified the Northwest Wildland Fire Protection Agreement and the States entry has been approved.]

The Northwest Wildland Fire Protection Agreement is hereby ratified, enacted into law and entered into with all jurisdictions legally joining in the Agreement, in substantially the form set forth in this section: THE NORTHWEST WILDLAND FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENT THIS AGREEMENT is entered into by and between the State, Provincial, and Territorial wildland fire protection agencies signatory hereto, hereinafter referred to as Members. FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION OF the following terms and conditions, the Members agree: Article I 1.1 The purpose of this Agreement is to promote effective prevention, presuppression and control of forest fires in the Northwest wildland region of the United States and adjacent areas of Canada (by the Members) by providing mutual aid in prevention, presuppression and control of wildland fires, and by establishing procedures in operating plans that will facilitate such aid. Article II 2.1 The agreement shall become effective for those Members ratifying it whenever any two or more Members, the States of Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, or the Yukon Territory, or the Province of British Columbia, or the Province of Alberta have ratified it. 2.2 Any State, Province, or Territory not mentioned in this Article which is contiguous to any Member may become a party to this Agreement subject to unanimous approval of the Members. Article III 3.1 The role of the Members is to determine from time to time such methods, practices, circumstances and conditions as may be found for enhancing the prevention, presuppression, and control of forest fires in the area comprising the Members territory; to coordinate the plans and the work of the appropriate agencies of the Members; and to coordinate the rendering of aid by the Members to each other in fighting wildland fires. 3.2 The Members may develop cooperative operating plans for the program covered by this Agreement. Operating plans shall include definition of terms, fiscal procedures, personnel contacts, resources available, and standards applicable to the program. Other sections may be added as necessary. Article IV 4.1 A majority of Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of its general business. Motions of Members present shall be carried by a simple majority except as stated in Article II. Each Member will have one vote on motions brought before them. Article V 5.1 Whenever a Member requests aid from any other Member in controlling or preventing wildland fires, the Members agree, to the extent they possibly can, to render all possible aid. Article VI 6.1 Whenever the forces of any Member are aiding another Member under this Agreement, the employees of such Member shall operate under the direction of the officers of the Member to which they are rendering aid and be considered agents of the Member they are rendering aid to and, therefore, have the same privileges and immunities as comparable employees of the Member to which they are rendering aid. 6.2 No Member or its officers or employees rendering aid within another State, Territory, or Province, pursuant to this Agreement shall be liable on account of any act or omission on the part of such forces while so engaged, or on account of maintenance or use of any equipment or supplies in connection therewith to the extent authorized by the laws of the Member receiving the assistance. The receiving Member, to the extent authorized by the laws of the State, Territory, or Province, agrees to indemnify and save-harmless the assisting Member from any such liability. 6.3 Any Member rendering outside aid pursuant to this Agreement shall be reimbursed by the Member receiving such aid for any loss or damage to, or expense incurred in the operation of any equipment and for the cost of all materials, transportation, wages, salaries and maintenance of personnel and equipment incurred in connection with such request in accordance with the provisions of the previous section. Nothing contained herein shall prevent any assisting Member from assuming such loss, damage, expense or other cost or from loaning such equipment or from donating such services to the receiving Member without charge or cost. 6.4 For purposes of this Agreement, personnel shall be considered employees of each sending Member for the payment of compensation to injured employees and death benefits to the representatives of deceased employees injured or killed while rendering aid to another Member pursuant to this Agreement. 6.5 The Members shall formulate procedures for claims and reimbursement under the provisions of this Article. Article VII 7.1 When appropriations for support of this agreement, or for the support of common services in executing this agreement, are needed, costs will be allocated equally among the Members. 7.2 As necessary, Members shall keep accurate books of account, showing in full, its receipts and disbursements, and the books of account shall be open at any reasonable time to the inspection of representatives of the Members. 7.3 The Members may accept any and all donations, gifts, and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services from the Federal or any local government, or any agency thereof and from any person, firm or corporation, for any of its purposes and functions under this Agreement, and may receive and use the same subject to the terms, conditions, and regulations governing such donations, gifts, and grants. Article VIII 8.1 Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to limit or restrict the powers of any Member to provide for the prevention, control, and extinguishment of wildland fires or to prohibit the enactment or enforcement of State, Territorial, or Provincial laws, rules or regulations intended to aid in such prevention, control and extinguishment of wildland fires in such State, Territory, or Province. 8.2 Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to affect any existing or future Cooperative Agreement between Members and/or their respective Federal agencies. Article IX 9.1 The Members may request the United States Forest Service to act as the coordinating agency of the Northwest Wildland Fire Protection Agreement in cooperation with the appropriate agencies of each Member. 9.2 The Members will hold an annual meeting to review the terms of this Agreement, any applicable Operating Plans, and make necessary modifications. 9.3 Amendments to this Agreement can be made by simple majority vote of the Members and will take effect immediately upon passage. Article X 10.1 This Agreement shall continue in force on each Member until such Member takes action to withdraw therefrom. Such action shall not be effective until 60 days after notice thereof has been sent to all other members. Article XI 11.1 Nothing in this Agreement shall obligate the funds of any Member beyond those approved by appropriate legislative action.

Source: NV Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-527.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026