Nevada natural resources director to retire in September

CARSON CITY — Leo Drozdoff, director of the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, will retire in September after a long stint with the state agency, Gov. Brian Sandoval announced Thursday.

“Leo was a steady leader of the department and someone I have come to rely on since taking office,” Sandoval said in a statement.

Drozdoff has been with the agency for more than 25 years and has served as director since 2009. Before that he was administrator of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, which is within the department.

He was a key negotiator with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over cleanup of an abandoned copper mine in Lyon County and presided over a statewide drought forum convened by the governor to address Nevada’s water management and drought preparedness.

Drozdoff also worked on environmental remediation of stormwater issues and was chairman of the Sagebrush Ecosystem Council, a body formed by the governor to tackle Nevada’s response to protecting sage grouse habitat.

Sandoval said he will miss Drozdoff’s leadership but wishes him well in retirement, which is effective Sept. 6.

The governor will name a new director at a later date and may appoint an interim replacement prior to Drozdoff’s formal departure.

Drozdoff said he is grateful to have served the administration.

“I leave with full confidence that we have accomplished a great deal that will undoubtedly benefit Nevadans for years to come,” he said.

Contact Sandra Chereb at schereb@reviewjournal.com or 775-461-3821. Find @SandraChereb on Twitter.