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An Analysis Of The Socio-Economic Impact Of Casino Gambling In Mesquite, Nevada, And Its Implications For Public Policy, Janice K. Herfeld

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study is a preliminary analysis of the socio-economic impact of casino gaming in Mesquite, Nevada. Mesquite is being studied from this perspective in order to provide policymakers with information that will aid in the determination of public policy relevant to and in conjunction with casino gaming activity. A combination of site visits to the area and interviews with casino executive personnel and relevant law enforcement was conducted for the purposes of gathering information for this study. Three police departments (Mesquite, Nevada, Cedar City, Utah and St. George, Utah) were interviewed to determine the crime rate in jurisdiction. Relevant data …

Public Finance Of Professional Athletic Facilities: Case Studies In Stadium And Arena Finance, Larry Harala

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

During the course of the 1990s cities across the country opted to expend public monies at record levels on stadium and arena construction. The focus of this paper will be an examination of whether or not spending public money on private athletic facilities is justifiable. For the purpose of this paper “justifiable” will mean; that the overall economic benefit to the community can be clearly and quantifiably demonstrate to have a net positive economic impact on the community while benefiting all socio-economic elements of the community at large. The types of facilities that this paper will examine are arenas and …

Remote Sensing And Geographic Information Systems For Decision Analysis In Public Resource Administration: Case Study In A Southwestern Watershed, William G. Kepner

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Alternative futures analysis is a scenario-based approach to regional land planning that attempts to synthesize existing scientific information in a format useful to community decision makers. Typically, this approach attempts to investigate the impacts of several alternative sets of choices preferred by representative stakeholder groups relative to selected environmental or economical endpoints. Potential impacts from each of the scenarios are compared to current conditions of the region in terms of a set of processes that are modeled within a geographic information system. Future conditions are generally examined from the perspective of a recent baseline condition (versus empirically determined using a …

An Analysis Of The Socio-Economic Impact Of Casino Gaming In Mesquite, Nevada, And Its Implications For Public Policy, Janice K. Hetfeld

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study is a preliminary analysis of the socio-economic impact of casino gaming in Mesquite, Nevada. Mesquite is being studied from this perspective in order to provide policymakers with information that will aid in the determination of public policy relevant to and in conjunction with casino gaming activity. A combination of site visits to the area and interviews with casino executive personnel and relevant law enforcement was conducted for the purposes of gathering information for this study. Three police departments (Mesquite, Nevada, Cedar City, Utah and St. George, Utah) were interviewed to determine the crime rate in jurisdiction. Relevant data …

Financing Public Infrastructure: A Case Study On Whether Development Impact Fees & Exactions Or Property Taxes Should Be Used To Support The Financing Of New Public Infrastructure, John P. Korkosz

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Development impact fees and exactions are financing mechanisms that local governments increasingly use to finance the cost of public infrastructure. The primary reason that local governments favor development impact fees and exactions to finance public infrastructure is that the costs associated with growth falls on developers. Two legal cases --Golden v. The Planning Board of The Town of Ramapo, New York and the Construction Industry Association of Sonoma County v. The City of Petaluma, California-- serve as the basis for the support of development impact fees and exactions as a method to manage growth (So & Getzels: 53, 1988).

The Rural Hospital Dilema: Will Nevada’S Rural Hospital System Survive?, Nancy L. Anderson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study, prepared for the Department of Public Administration, will review and discuss the rural hospitals in the State of Nevada. By virtue of its size and population distribution, Nevada has a need for rural hospitals. These hospitals, which are of critical importance for Nevada residents, are constantly struggling with how to build and support their limited health system capacity and infrastructure. To survive, rural hospitals must offset the losses they have sustained as a result of decreased federal funding. Some ways these losses have been offset is by employing some of the programs created by the Balanced Budget Act …

A Study Of The Training Methods Used By The Vehicle Maintenance Department Of The Clark County School District Transportation Division, Jon J. Howard

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study is to explore the training methods presently employed by the Clark County School District in preparing their mechanical staff for the future. The methods used to explore this issue are a review of pertinent literature and a series of one on one interviews with both the Human Resources Department and the mechanical staff. These interviews demonstrate that changes in training techniques are necessary to maintain the efficiency and competence of the mechanical staff. A proposal to assist the Vehicle Maintenance Department reach these goals is included.

Examination Of The Bureau Of Land Management's Implementation Of The Wild, Free-Roaming Horse And Burro Act At Red Rock National Conservation Area, Christine E. Brehm

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

For unknown reasons horses went extinct on the North American continent approximately ten thousand years ago and were subsequently reintroduced by Spanish settlers in the 1400's. As European settlers moved westward, horses were perceived as competition for grasslands and their numbers were curtailed. Wild horses were granted Federal protection in 1959 with the passage of the 'Wild Horse Annie' law and further protected with the passage of the Wild, Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971. Through the Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Land Management was charged with management of wild horses on public lands. Physical searches of …

Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) Hatchlings Success: The Effects Of Artificial Lights And Other Human Impacts, Hui-Yu Tracy Liang

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Sea turtles appeared more than 200 million years ago in the late Triassic period. They grow very slowly, taking an average of 25 years to reach sexual maturity, with a life span averaging 40-50 years. From May to October green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) emerge during the night and follow light cues toward the sea. Recently, beachfront development has increased hatchling mortality rate. When hatchlings emerge from nest, high densities of artificial lights lead them toward the land where they either desiccate and die, or are preyed upon. Short-wavelength high intensity light and the distance of artificial light are the …

Deposition And Uptake Availability Of Lead Shot For Waterfowl At Honeybee Pond Within The Overton Wildlife Management Area, Nevada, Usa, Jason Eckberg

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Lead shot has been banned for hunting waterfowl since 1974, but lead poisoning continues to be a major problem in many waterfowl habitats. In December of 1999, soil samples were collected from the Honeybee pond at the Overton Wildlife Management area to determine the lead pellet concentration and the availability of lead shot to waterfowl. There were no shot pellets recovered from the thirty-one samples taken from the pond. Based on this information waterfowl do not appear to be exposed to lead in the pond areas at OWMA.

Two Different Soil Sampling Techniques For Assessing Soil Lead Concentrations At The Overton Wildlife Management Area, Nevada, Kristen E. Falc

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

During the summer of 1999, soil samples were taken from the Overton Wildlife Management Area (OWMA), located in the Moapa Valley of Clark County, Nevada. Although lead shot has been banned for the hunting of waterfowl since 1986, it is still legal for upland game hunting. The field sampled serves primarily as a dove hunting area and is cultivated. A large sample size was taken to indicate the short-term effects of the deposition of lead shot in the area and a small sample size, the long-term. Lead shot was recovered from 64% of the small samples and the estimated concentration …

An Examination Of A Brownfield: The Former North Las Vegas Armory Site, Rebecca L. Fowler

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This thesis is a case study of the redevelopment project of the former Armory site in Las Vegas, Nevada, a United States Environmental Protection Agency Brownfield Pilot Project. This investigation uses benefit-cost analysis to determine whether the project is economically feasible. This examination includes a description of the Brownfield program, a description of the site, selection criteria, and the proposed future use of it. The results show that the benefits exceed the costs.

Special Event Recycling: The Future Of Unlv's Recycling Program, Katherine A. Baker

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The current recycling program on the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) campus does not have a special event recycling aspect. The purpose of this study was to develop a special event recycling program and make recommendations of how to effectively implement it on the UNLV campus. In order to develop this special event recycling program data was collected through surveys and a pilot study. The data collected was then used to formulate recommendations. Recycling two different kinds of events, a walk and a concert tested those recommendations. Waste stream analyses were done on each event. The waste stream diversion …

Comparative Analysis Of Three Remediation Technologies For The Clean Up Of Petroleum Contaminated Groundwater, Thomas Bouck

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This paper will compare three remediation technologies to determine which is the most efficient and effective remediation treatment for a petroleum contaminated groundwater site. The three remediation technologies are in situ bioremediation, in situ air sparging, and air stripping with carbon filtration. This comparison will be done through a literature review. It will take the information derived from the review and then apply it to the information about a petroleum contaminated groundwater location. The comparative analysis will consist of these parameters permit requirements, clean up time, operating and maintenance, and geological factors.

These factors permit requirements, cleanup time, and operating …

Implementing Corporate Universities In The Public Sector: Evaluating Clark County’S Supervisor’S Organizational Skills Program, Karen E. Stevens

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

There is an increasing trend in the private sector to provide development opportunities to employees which include more than on-the-job or skills-based training. These programs are often referred to as “corporate universities.” Clark County is currently attempting to transform its training program to apply “corporate university” concepts to the development of its public sector employees. The purpose of this paper is to examine the planning conducted by the county’s program development team, and to determine if the now-implemented program is reaching its target audience, achieving its goals, and being evaluated correctly. Research for this paper was conducted through a review …

An Analysis Of Requirements For Undergraduate International Students To Attend U.S. Universities, Gregory M. Thevenin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This paper is concerned with the requirements of international students who want to attend higher education here in the United States. The areas of concern are the requirements from the U.S. Universities that recruit international students as well as the requirements from the U.S. Government for “F” and “M” Visa students. This paper will also concern itself with the financial aid available to the international students, if needed.

Fat, Dumb, And Happy. The Future Of Doe/Nv?, Michelle E. Slichko

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This paper, prepared for the Department of Public Administration, will identify and analyze some problems with succession planning at the Department of Energy Nevada Operations Office. My main concern is the fact that retirements, a hiring freeze, insufficient training funds, and rampant promotions are combining to make the existing workforce at DOE/NV fatter, dumber, and happier. The section on the DOE/NV organization reveals that as a result of Strategic Alignment Initiatives, the organization has downsized, but has not right-sized. The section on the subcritical mission focuses on only one of DOE/NV’s important missions and shows why it is critical to …

Levels Of Synthetic Musks In Municipal Wastewater For Estimating Biota Exposure In Receiving Waters, Lantis Osemwengie

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Natural musk (muscone) is a highly prized natural product for use in expensive consumer fragrances. Inexpensive synthetic substitutes have been commercialized over the last 40 years. Two main chemical classes are used commercially — the nitro musks (which fulfilled the original demand for inexpensive fragrance additives for personal care products such as bath soap, body lotions, perfumes, and washing detergents) and the newer polycyclic musks which have musklike smell. The commercial nitro musks include musk ketone, musk moskene, musk ambrette, musk xylene, and musk tibetene. The polycyclics include trade named compounds such as Galaxolide®, Tonalide®, Celestolide®, Traseolide®, Phantolide®, and Cashmeran®, …

Mapping The Boulder City Wetlands Using A Global Positioning System (Gps) And A Geographic Information System (Gis), Jennifer Lea Bishop

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Boulder City Wetlands is a constructed wetlands park located in Boulder City, Nevada, approximately 23 miles southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. Currently, a baseline study of water quality is being conducted in the Boulder City Wetlands. This baseline study of the wetlands is an important step in understanding the development of the Boulder City Wetlands over time. As wastewater is eventually introduced into the existing community tap water running through the wetlands, it is expected that the nitrogen within the water will enhance the growth of vegetation in the surrounding area. Comparing the vegetation growth over time is only …

City Of Las Vegas Sidewalk Maintenance And Repair: Who Is Responsible?, Daphnee Legarza

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The City of Las Vegas (CLV) has recently adopted several new plans and elements requiring the creation of more pedestrian friendly and cluster development communities. The City of Las Vegas’ 2020 Master Plan requires pedestrian friendly neighborhoods in newly developing areas by stating, “The importance of creating neighborhoods that are walkable and sustainable and which foster a sense of community must be key elements of our newly developing areas”. (CLV Master Plan 2020, October 2000, p. 47) Also, in neighborhood revitalization areas the City requires “That new commercial development be designed in a walkable and non-vehicular friendly manner, providing shelter …

A Case Study Of Process Servers In Clark County, Nevada In The District Attorney Criminal Division, Amy M. Meedel

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In 1996 the job classification of Process Server was created in the Clark County District Attorney Criminal Division in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was implemented by DA Stewart L. Bell as a cost-saving measure meant as a reclassification of the position of Investigator. Since the initial job posting, the duties appropriate to the position of Process Server have been and remain in question. No written, measurable job performance standards have been established and no consistent training or supervision provided. A review of the literature suggests wide variance in what may be considered appropriate job duties for this classification, though the …

A Study Of Issues Related To Privatization Of Workers’ Compensation In Nevada, Kathryn A. Mack

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The key purpose of this study is to examine and evaluate current legislative initiatives for reform of workers’ compensation in Nevada. The examination will focus on issues relating to open competitive markets, market pricing, privatization of a state fund, and cost controls that have affected workers’ compensation in the state. The methods used in this paper include an in-depth examination of legislative statutes that have been enacted to control spending. Also, included is a review of literature that relates to privatization of state funds, and issues that are inherent in the transition from a state agency to private enterprise. Key …

Officer Involved Shooting: The Emotional Impact And The Effective Coping Strategies, Patrick P. Charoen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The emotional impact of a shooting incident on the individual police officer has been recognized and detailed by both police and mental health professionals (Lippert & Ferrara, 1984). The human cost and financial costs to Police Departments as a result of "post shooting" trauma has sensitized many departments to the need for professional support for officers involved in shootings. Recent survey research has provided information about the percentage of officers who experienced great, moderate, or no emotional impact after being involved in shootings (Stratton, 1982). However, information about the degree to which police departments have responded to this need has …

A Comparative Analysis Of Southern Nevada Municipalities, And Their Active Participation To Implement Historical Preservation, Rhonda M. Reeves

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A comparative analysis of southern Nevada municipalities, and their active participation to implement historical preservation is the foundation of research for this paper. The city of Las Vegas and surrounding municipalities have varying preservation programs in place. The distinctions between the municipalities historic preservation programs foster little protection for the historic site itself in most cases. Historic preservationists are actively bringing to the attention of government the importance of preservation, and are seeking more and more action on the part of the government to implement historic preservation mandates and protection.

The federal government funding for historical preservation within states is …

A Comparison Of The Establishment Of The Organizational Structure Of A Citizen Review Board At The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department And The City And County Of Denver Public Safety Review Commission, Glenn Glover

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The study focuses on the issue of establishing a citizen review board at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) for the purpose of reviewing allegations of misconduct. With the recent increase of police officer misconduct the LVMPD has come under a great deal of scrutiny by residents of the community. The credibility of the department has been jeopardized as a result of the current complaint investigations process which is conducted by the Internal Affairs Bureau. Community activist have demanded that a citizen review board be established to investigate complaints of police misconduct. The purpose of setting up a citizen …

Systemic Environmental Analysis Of The Legal Mechanisms For Controlling Air Pollution In The Las Vegas Valley, Richard Little

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study examines the air pollution control structure for the Las Vegas Valley. A System Dynamics computer model was created that represents the structure of the real world system for controlling air pollution, in order to examine how the current air pollution control system might behave in the future.

Mineral Paragenesis And Ore Fluids At The Turquoise Ridge Gold Deposit, Nevada, Michiko Shigehiro

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In this study, mineral assemblages and related fluid inclusions at the Turquoise Ridge Carlin-type gold deposit were examined to answer the following questions: (1) What is the ore-stage mineral paragenesis? (2) At what pressures and temperatures did the deposits form? (3) What are the sources of ore fluids?

Pyrite with gold, jasperoid quartz, stibnite, orpiment, realgar, and calcite were successively deposited at Turquoise Ridge. Microthermometric data and isotopic ratios of inclusion fluids in ore-related minerals indicate entrapment of multiple generations of fluids in pre-ore, ore-, and late-ore stage minerals. Primary fluid inclusions in an ore-stage jasperoid quartz crystal have salinities …

Alteration Associated With Gold Deposition At The Getchell, Carlin-Type Gold Deposit, North-Central Nevada, Tracy Lynn Cail

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Alteration at the Getchell deposit was examined to determine the effects of ore-bearing fluids on host lithologies and the relationship between K-bearing alteration minerals and Au deposition. The geochemistry of unaltered to highly altered and mineralized rocks from the Getchell deposit was quantified for 54 samples collected along 14 transects in calcareous siltstone, carbonaceous limestone, and a rhyodacitic dike. Each transect was collected along a single homogeneous bed that could be followed from visibly unaltered waste rock into high-grade ore.

Calculated elemental gains and losses record an increase in the concentrations of Au, Hg, Sb, Se, Si, Te, Tl, and …

Reciprocal Transplantation Of The Desert Soil Crust: Can It Be Done?, Christina D. Cole

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A 100 meter X 100 meter study site was chosen at White Rock Springs in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada. To examine Syntrichia caninervis, a desert crustal moss, reciprocal transplantations (20 mm and 40 mm diameter cores) were performed between shaded to shaded, exposed to exposed, and shaded to exposed microsites to determine if it was possible to transplant the study organism with reasonable survivorship. Transplants were inspected following rain events for percent hydration, number of dead stems, and change in percent cover. Data indicated that there was a low mortality rate of S. caninervis stems, and few …

The Southern Nevada Strategic Planning Authority Plan Public Outreach Efforts In The City Of Henderson, Brenda S. Fischer

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Region is the fastest growing region in the United States and has been for several years. The same source lists Henderson as the fastest growing large city (over 100,000 population) since 1990.

To mitigate the effects of growth, the Southern Nevada Strategic Planning Authority (SNSPA) was created in 1997. it was tasked with creating a 20 year plan for growth and presenting that plan to the 1999 legislature. The purpose of this paper is to determine it the residents of Henderson agree with the contents of the plan, as rt …