In 2004, The Clark County Department of Comprehensive Planning, Nuclear Waste Division, and the Department of Administrative Services developed a Rural Areas Community Indicators Pilot Program to provide a model for rural towns within Clark County to assist in tracking impacts of development and environmental changes. 

As a follow up to the County Impact Assessment Report, the County’s Nuclear Waste Division designed a countywide community indicators program to monitor impacts resulting from the proposed high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain (see http://www.monitoringprogram.com).  To date, much of the focus of this effort was on Clark County’s urban areas.  In order to do a complete analysis of Clark County impacts, it was determined to also identify and monitor potential impacts on certain rural communities and include this effort as part of the Rural Community Indicators Pilot Program. 

Moapa Valley (Overton and Logandale), located near the proposed high-level nuclear waste transportation route, was selected for a community visioning exercise to provide a model for examining community indicators efforts and criteria in Clark County’s rural communities. 

Urban Environmental Research, LLC (UER), had already proven expertise in implementing planning tools such as strategic planning, community “visioning,” and visual preference surveys with emphasis on public participation.  This program was initiated within the scope of UER’s existing contract with Clark County, resulting in a multi-purpose opportunity to assist Moapa Valley set goals and plan for its future, as well as assist Clark County officials to accomplish long-term goals.

The Moapa Valley Visioning process consisted of a series of public meetings from November 2004 through June 2005 at the Overton Community Center.  The sessions provided an extremely productive process which encouraged residents to participate in developing a Vision Statement, Goals and Strategies, Community Profile, and a Visual Preference Survey.  The Visual Preference Survey was placed on the County’s website for ease in casting ballots electronically.  Hard copies were also distributed to allow access to residents without computers.  This survey was the first of its kind used in a Clark County planning process and proved a valuable tool for identifying the residents’  preferences for how their community should look.  It will also assist county planners in adopting the Northeast County Land Use Plan.

The Moapa Valley visioning documents are located on the Clark County web site at http://www.co.clark.nv.us/comprehensive_planning/Moapa/MoapaValleyVisioning.htm

Next steps in the process include presentations to the Moapa Valley Strategic Planning Committee, Town Advisory Board, and the Board of County Commissioners.  By better understanding a community’s desired state and expectations for quality of life, we can provide a basis and framework for the level of adverse impacts a community is willing to accept.  We can identify challenges and issues of concern to our communities and then find the best solutions for addressing those challenges, whether than means preparing to meet the challenges of community growth and development now, or preparing for potential shipments of high-level waste to Yucca Mountain in the future.