Morros retires from Conservation and Natural Resources

Pete Morros, director of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Monday announced plans to retire this fall.

Morros has headed the department for a decade and has been in state service for the past 38 years.

"It's time to move on and spend more time with my grandchildren and great-grandchildren," he said.

"I have had a great career in state service and I hope I leave the department in good shape."

He will officially retire Aug. 1.

As director of Conservation and Natural Resources, he was in charge of state divisions including forestry, wildlife, environmental protection, state parks, lands, water planning, water resources and conservation districts.

The division also manages the Wild Horse Commission, Natural Heritage Program and Nevada Tahoe Regional Planning Agency as well as overseeing 10 different boards and commission.

It has a total budget of about $213 million a year and 1,000 employees.

Before heading Conservation and Natural Resources, Morros was State Engineer, which manages Nevada's water permit system and water resources. He held that job for 9 years.

He has also served as head of the California-Nevada Interstate Compact Commission, as a member of the state Environmental Commission and in a variety of positions with the state Division of Water Resources.

Morros has been honored as President of the Association of Western State Engineers, as Water Conservationist of the Year by the Nevada Wildlife federation in 1989 and with the John Wesley Powell Award presented by the U.S. Geological Survey.

He has a degree in civil engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno.