The Indicator Brief is a publication of the Clark County Monitoring
Program. The Monitoring Program was developed to provide a foundation
for on-going policy discussions and a baseline from which economic, fiscal
or social changes could be monitored over time.
As a briefing document, the Indicator Brief is not intended to be
comprehensive. Rather, this summary is intended to highlight the salient
findings of the research conducted during the second quarter of 2008. It is
subdivided into the program's five core study areas:
economic,
fiscal,
public health and safety,
environmental and
demographic. |
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Summary Overview: Public
Health & Safety
A milestone in the continuing attempts to develop a nuclear waste repository
at Yucca Mountain was reached on September 8, 2008 when the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) accepted the application submitted by the Department of Energy.
In its decision statement, the NRC indicated that the application "contains
sufficient information for the agency to move ahead to the next stage of formal
review." As reported by the Stephens Washington Bureau, this move opens the way
for detailed safety studies and hearings on the project, followed by other
scientific and administrative reviews, such as a requested study to ensure that
radioactive toxins from the site will not leech into the water table, which are
expected to last for a period of three to four years. Placement of the
8,600-page license application on the docket followed a 90-day review by NRC
staffers and consultants to ensure that it was sufficiently complete to proceed.
Members of the Nevada congressional delegation were quick to point out that the
fight against the Yucca Mountain project had not come to a close as a result of
the NRC's acceptance. Delegation members noted that there are many obstacles
that the application must yet overcome to include scientific, budget, and not
the least, political. As noted by Stephens Media, the fate of the project could
well lie in the upcoming national elections. While the Republican candidate has
indicated that he supports the project if supported by scientific evidence, the
Democrat candidate has said he will halt the project if elected.
On September 30, 2008, Bob Loux, the executive director of Nevada's Nuclear
Projects Agency resigned after 23 years of leading the state's fight against the
Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository. In accepting Loux's resignation, the
Nevada Nuclear Projects Commission noted his excellent work over the years on
behalf of the State of Nevada. Mr. Loux will remain in his position until such
time as a replacement is appointed.
Now available in the public health and safety's health care section of the
Monitoring Program are links to the Southern Nevada Health District's Annual
Reports to the Community. These reports highlight the work of the District over
the years and are comprehensive sources of information. The District staff also
reminds the public that their website,
www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org, contains seasonally updated
information on public health-related matters. Currently listed is information on
the health risks related to illegal food vendors, mosquitoes, and the annually
recurring influenza season that is about to be upon us.
Crime statistics received from our local police departments show a continuing
focus on violent and property crimes. In the area of violent crime, sexual
assaults head the list of growing concern, while homicides, robberies, and
assaults with a gun showed decreases in the third quarter. The three major areas
of property crime: burglary, auto burglary, and auto theft, all showed a
decrease. |
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CURRENT QUARTER
INDICATOR BRIEF: |
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PUBLIC HEALTH
AND SAFETY
HIGHLIGHTS: |
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1. |
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The Nuclear Regulatory Commission accepted
the license application for the Yucca
Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository from the
Department of Energy |
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2. |
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The Southern Nevada Health District reminds
the public of the upcoming influenza season |
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3. |
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Local police departments continue their
successful efforts fighting violent and
property crimes |
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