1. The Director shall appoint a person to manage the activities of the Department relating to natural resources and land use planning. The person must be appointed on the basis of merit and is in the unclassified service of the State.

2. The person appointed shall:

(a) Develop cooperative agreements and working relationships with federal and state agencies and local governments for land use planning and the preservation and allocation of natural resources necessary to advance and protect the livestock and agricultural industries in this State.

(b) Monitor gatherings of estrays and feral livestock conducted pursuant to the provisions of NRS 569.040 to 569.130, inclusive, and assist district brand inspectors in identifying estrays before they are sold or given a placement or other disposition through a cooperative agreement established pursuant to NRS 569.031 for the management, control, placement or disposition of estrays and feral livestock.

(c) Provide the members of the general public with information relating to the activities of the Department and solicit recommendations from the members of the general public and advisory groups concerning those activities.

(d) Make assessments of the level of competition between livestock and wildlife for food and water and shall collect data concerning the movement of livestock.

(e) Participate in land use planning relating to the competition for food and water between livestock and wildlife to ensure the maintenance of the habitat of both livestock and wildlife.

(f) Present testimony, conduct research and prepare reports for the Governor, the Legislature, the Director and any other person or governmental entity as directed by the Director.

(g) Develop and carry out a program to educate the members of the general public concerning the programs administered by the Department, including programs for the management and control of estrays and feral livestock.

(h) Make proposals to the Director for the amendment of the regulations adopted by the Board pursuant to NRS 561.105.

(i) Perform such other duties as directed by the Director.

3. As used in this section:

(a) “Estray” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 569.0075.

(b) “Feral livestock” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 569.008.

(Added to NRS by 1997, 1404; A 1999, 3659; 2003, 2146; 2011, 2489; 2013, 1320, 1865)