TONOPAH -- Nevada Assembly Bill 447, designed to create a bi-state commission consisting of Nye, Clark, Inyo and San Bernardino counties, died in the 2007 session of the Nevada Legislature.

But Nye County commissioners Tuesday approved a memorandum of understanding to join an informal four-county regional forum to study environmental issues.

Jim Marble, Nye County director of natural resources, thought it would be a good idea to participate, given the forum will study many issues affecting county, Commissioner Joni Eastley said.

"I think it's good for Nye County to participate in the ideas that are going to be discussed as a result of this working group, I want to make it perfectly clear, we are under no obligation whatsoever to implement any of the issues that come out of that group," Eastley said.

As another sign of their hesitation, commissioners approved the memorandum only through Dec. 31, 2008, instead of the 2010 expiration date suggested in the pact.

Nye County Commission Chairman Gary Hollis said, "I always have problems with (memoranda of understanding) that come from environmental groups."

The Amargosa Conservancy, a nonprofit organization working to preserve the Amargosa River, urged commissioners to join the forum, declaring the bi-state region has unique and valuable environmental and ecological values.

"The natural resources of the region are increasingly threatened, which endangers the natural beauty and economic productivity of the region," Tami Tripp-Massie, executive director of the Amargosa Conservancy, stated in a letter to commissioners..

"At present, important bi-state issues in the area are not being regularly addressed," she said. "Therefore, the conservancy is urging the establishment of a four-county forum where such important issues can be studied and discussed, and where recommendations for the betterment of the region can be developed," Tripp-Massie, said.

The conservancy director suggested leading members of the four-county regional forum on a tour of the Amargosa River region during their first meeting.

The Southern Nye County Conservation District also endorsed the concept.

The memorandum suggests forum members could study issues regarding water; transportation and traffic; zoning, land use planning and development; air quality and pollution; preservation of wildlife and plant habitats; generation of energy and any other issue common to the bi-state region.

The forum would consist of eight members, two from each county, though representatives of other government agencies could be invited. The forum would meet in regular session three times each year. The public would be welcome to make presentations.

Records of meetings will kept be in accordance with California law. Meetings will be held in different counties on a rotating basis, the first one will be held in Inyo County.