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About Forever Earth Forever Earth Users How to Schedule FAQ
 

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who manages and operates Forever Earth?
  2. Who may schedule Forever Earth?
  3. What are the principal purposes of Forever Earth?
  4. How do I schedule a trip for my group on Forever Earth?
  5. Where is the Forever Earth boat located? How do I get there?
  6. Do I have to pay the entrance fees for Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LAME) for my group?
  7. How many passengers can be on board the Forever Earth boat?
  8. What rules and/or regulations must passengers observe while aboard Forever Earth?
  9. What restrictions and safety procedures specifically for children are in place?
  10. Are there insurance requirements for a group associated with using Forever Earth?
  11. How much does it cost to use the Forever Earth boat?
  12. How do I pay for the fuel and oil?
  13. What materials and equipment are on board for my use?
  14. If I have a question, who do I contact?
  15. Is Forever Earth ADA accessible?
  16. What services and amenities are available at Callville Bay Marina?
  17. As part of the activities scheduled on board Forever Earth, my group would like to scuba dive. Is this permitted?
  18. If I am conducting research aboard Forever Earth, do I need to obtain a permit from the National Park Service?

1. Who manages and operates Forever Earth?

The Forever Earth program is managed and delivered by the Public Lands Institute, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) on behalf of the National Park Service; Bureau of Land Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and U.S. Forest Service, which comprise the Southern Nevada Agency Partnership. It is a Round 4 Conservation Initiative, “Education in the Environment” funded by the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act. Forever Resorts, a concessionaire at Callville Bay Marina, provides logistical and maintenance support to UNLV for Forever Earth.

2. Who may schedule Forever Earth?

Anyone who is involved in activities that align with at least one of the four principal purposes of the program: Environmental education; science research and environmental studies; water quality monitoring; and specialized command post operations.

3. What are the principal purposes of Forever Earth?

  1. Environmental education. Forever Earth can provide an excellent opportunity for learning by school groups of all ages. Future environmental education programs on Forever Earth will both complement and supplement traditional classroom studies giving students “real world” learning experiences. The laboratory and scientific equipment aboard will allow for hands-on student involvement. The learning objectives will be directly tied to the students’ school curriculum and based upon national, state, and local standards for science, math, technology, and social studies.
  2. Science research and environmental studies. Forever Earth can be used to help facilitate on-going and future research efforts at Lake Mead National Recreation Area that lead both to a better understanding of environmental processes and improvements in the health of the ecosystem. This research would also include cultural resources studies such as archeological and paleontological surveys around the lake.
  3. Water quality monitoring. Given growing concern over water quality at Lake Mead, Forever Earth can be used for water quality monitoring and associated research. Such studies will be designed to tie into the overall regional monitoring strategies associated with the Lake Mead Water Quality Forum and will address urban runoff, treated sewage discharges, visitor use, and hydrocarbons associated with boat fuels. An integral part of this research is the establishment of long-term benchmark data against which to compare changes in water quality over time.
  4. Command post. Forever Earth may be utilized as a command center for specialized activities such as major search and rescue operations, water safety demonstrations, visitor surveys, and special events. The houseboat also includes spill containment equipment to mitigate spillages that occur on the lake.

4. How do I schedule a trip for my group on Forever Earth?

Follow the “How to Schedule” link and complete the online form. The Forever Earth Project Manager will contact you to obtain additional information and finalize the process.

5. Where is the Forever Earth boat located? How do I get there?

The boat is located at Callville Bay Marina on Lake Mead, approximately 45 minutes driving time from Las Vegas. Download this file for a map and more specific directions.

6. Do I have to pay the entrance fees for Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LAME) for my group?

No. The Forever Earth Project Manager will provide a fee waiver letter that you will present at the entrance fee station.

7. How many passengers can be on board the Forever Earth boat?

The maximum number of passengers is 25 people. This number includes everyone (adults and children) in the group. For large groups, activities will take place aboard Forever Earth and on shore (typically the Callville Bay picnic area). Large groups will be split into two or more smaller groups. One or more groups can participate in the shore-based activities while one group is aboard Forever Earth; student groups switch when the Forever Earth group returns to the marina.

8. What rules and/or regulations must passengers observe while aboard Forever Earth?

Safety is always the NUMBER ONE priority aboard the boat. In order for the group to safely accomplish its trip goals, the following participation requirements are in place:

  1. The captain’s authority is absolute in regards to vessel operations, personnel, passengers, and safety.
  2. There are a number of substances not permitted aboard the boat including
    • Drugs, alcohol, tobacco products
    • Firearms and other weapons (unless carried by law enforcement personnel)
    • Glass containers (other than scientific equipment such as test tubes)
  3. Swimming from the boat is not allowed.
  4. Horseplay or other disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.

9. What restrictions and safety procedures specifically for children are in place?

  • Children in the 4th grade constitute the minimum age of passengers allowed on Forever Earth. These requirements have been set as outlined in the insurance policy effected by UNLV.
  • Children aged 12 and under must wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) outside the main cabin.

10. Are there insurance requirements for a group associated with using Forever Earth?

Organizations that are not self-insured (e.g., home education groups; private schools; etc.) are required to show evidence of active and adequate liability insurance. This is done in the form of a “certificate of insurance” issued by the organization’s insurance broker. For further information, download this information sheet. Contact the Project Manager, 895-5098, if you have questions.

11. How much does it cost to use the Forever Earth boat?

The only cost to your group is for the fuel and oil used during your trip. This expense varies, just like a gallon of gasoline for your car varies, and is dependent on several factors including distance traveled and weather. Contact the Forever Earth project manager to see if funding is available to help you with this expense.

12. How do I pay for the fuel and oil?

Arrangements to pay for fuel and oil costs by credit card or cash must be made before the scheduled use. The amount of fuel used is determined by immediate refueling by the boat captain upon return.

13. What educational materials and equipment are on board for my use?

There are basic wet lab and water monitoring materials and equipment on Forever Earth. Download this information sheet for a complete listing.

14. If I have a question, who do I contact?

Please contact:

Daphne Sewing, Project Manager
Public Lands Institute, University of Nevada Las Vegas
702-895-5098
daphne.sewing@unlv.edu

15. Is Forever Earth ADA accessible?

The main cabin and one of the two restrooms is ADA accessible. The upper deck is accessed by a narrow set of stairs located in the stern and, therefore, is not ADA accessible. We are in the process of building/purchasing a ramp to facilitate movement from the dock to the boat. Please contact the Project Manager if there are accessibility needs for your group.

16. What services and amenities are available at Callville Bay Marina?

Services at Callville Bay Resort & Marina include:

  • Restrooms
  • Ample Parking
  • Retail Store
  • Snack Bar
  • RV Park & Campground

17. As part of the activities scheduled on board Forever Earth, my group would like to scuba dive. Is this permitted?

Only researchers affiliated with the National Park Service or UNLV may conduct diving operations from Forever Earth. NPS scientific diving that requires use of SCUBA will meet the standards of and comply with the Lake Mead NRA Dive Safety Plan. For UNLV researchers, compliance with the standards of the Lake Mead NRA Dive Safety Plan is recommended but not required.


18. If I am conducting research aboard Forever Earth, do I need to obtain a permit from the National Park Service?

A Scientific Research and Collecting Permit is required for most scientific activities pertaining to natural resources or social science studies in National Park System areas that involve fieldwork, specimen collection,
and/or have the potential to disturb resources or visitors. When permits are required for scientific activities pertaining solely to cultural resources, including archeology, ethnography, history, cultural museum objects, cultural landscapes, and historic and prehistoric structures, other permit procedures apply.

An individual may obtain application materials via the Internet (see http://science.nature.nps.gov/research or www.nps.gov). Questions and/or permit applications for Lake Mead National Recreation Area should be directed to:

Michael Boyles
Environmental Compliance Specialist
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
601 Nevada Way
Boulder City, NV 89005
Phone (702) 293-8978
Email Michael_J_Boyles@nps.gov