In June 2007, Basic Remediation Company (BRC) and the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition on Homelessness initiated a major project to assist and relocate the homeless who had camped sporadically on the 2,200-acre site.

This coordinated social services effort began when BRC needed to remove more than 100 acres of tamarisk plants in six areas of the 2,200 acre site to make way for the remediation process and construction activity.  While BRC fences off the site and discourages anyone from trespassing on the property, the BRC team found some homeless individuals who had made camps under these large, shady plants.

BRC contacted the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition on Homelessness and began working on a relocation protocol and plan.  The coalition consisted of Clark County Social Services, the City of Henderson, the Henderson Police Department, HELP of Southern Nevada, HACA (Henderson Allied Community Advocates), social workers, animal control, senior services, veterans' service and the Henderson Fire Department. 

Over several months, the coalition met and planned out their course of action.  Members of the team made several visits to the property to talk with those camping illegally and encourage these individuals to take advantage of the services offered by the coalition.  In September 2007, the coalition helped 30 people find a safe place to live.

After relocating those camping on the site, Meadow Valley Contractors spent several months removing tamarisk, trash and other structures within the project area.  More than 130 acres of tamarisk-ridden area were cleared when the project was finished in December 2007.  At this time BMI is the only private landowner in Southern Nevada to use this humane process to relocate the homeless, only governmental agencies had done so previously.

To learn more about the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition on Homelessness, please visit www.snrpc.org/Homeless.htm