News Release Archive

Truckee River Operating Agreement Revised Draft Environmental Document Available

Open House Meetings and Public Hearings Scheduled

Media Contact: Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, 08/25/2004 14:41

For Release: August 25, 2004

The U.S. Department of the Interior and California Department of Water Resources (DWR), as co-lead agencies, have jointly prepared a Revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report (revised Draft EIS/EIR) for the Draft Truckee River Operating Agreement (TROA) which would implement Section 205(a) of the Truckee-Carson-Pyramid Lake Water Rights Settlement Act of 1990, Title II of Public Law 101-618 (Settlement Act). The draft document is available for a 64-day public review and comment period. Open houses and public hearings have been scheduled (see schedule below).

TROA would modify existing operations of all designated reservoirs to enhance coordination and flexibility while ensuring that existing water rights are served and flood control and safety of dams requirements are met. TROA would, in part, (1) enhance conditions for the threatened Lahontan cutthroat trout and endangered cui-ui in the Truckee River basin; (2) increase municipal and industrial drought protection for Truckee Meadows (Reno-Sparks metropolitan area); (3) improve Truckee River water quality downstream from Sparks, Nevada; and (4) enhance streamflows and recreational opportunities in the Truckee River Basin. At the time TROA takes effect, the Settlement Act provides that a permanent allocation between California and Nevada of water in the Lake Tahoe, Truckee River and Carson River basins will also take effect. Open house meetings and public hearings are scheduled for the months of September and October 2004. The public is invited and encouraged to attend at the following locations:

OPEN HOUSE MEETINGS

Fernley, NV, Tuesday, September 21, 1-4 p.m., City Council Chambers, 595 Silver Lace Blvd.

Reno, NV, Tuesday, September 21, 7-10 p.m., Dept. of Water Resources, 4930 Energy Way.

Fallon, NV, Wednesday, September 22, 7-10 p.m., Fallon Convention Center, 100 Campus Way.

Kings Beach, CA, Thursday, September 23, 1-4 p.m., North Tahoe Conference Center, 8318 North Lake Blvd.

Truckee, CA, Thursday, September 23, 7-10 p.m., Parks and Recreation Community Center, 10046 Church St.

Nixon, NV, Friday, October 1, 6-9 p.m., Pyramid Lake Tribal Council Chambers, 210 Capitol Hill.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Reno, NV, Monday, October 18, 7-10 p.m., Dept. of Water Resources, 4930 Energy Way.

Fernley, NV, Tuesday, October 19, 1-4 p.m., City Council Chambers, 595 Silver Lace Blvd.

Nixon, NV, Tuesday, October 19, 6-9 p.m., Pyramid Lake Tribal Council Chambers, 210 Capitol Hill.

Kings Beach, CA, Wednesday, October 20, 1-4 p.m., North Tahoe Conference Center, 8318 North Lake Blvd.

Truckee, CA, Wednesday, October 20, 7-10 p.m., Parks and Recreation Community Center, 10046 Church St.

Fallon, NV, Thursday, October 21, 7-10 p.m., Fallon Convention Center, 100 Campus Way.

The open houses are designed to enhance public understanding of the proposed action and the environmental review process. The hearings are designed to allow individuals the opportunity to provide testimony that will become part of the official public record; testimony may be presented orally or in writing.

Written comments must be received by close of business on Friday, October 29, 2004, and should be mailed to: Kenneth Parr, Bureau of Reclamation, 705 North Plaza Street, Room 320, Carson City, NV. 89701-4015, fax 775-882-7592, or e-mail kparr@mp.usbr.gov. All comments, oral or written, will become part of the public record.

For additional information or to request a copy of the revised Draft EIS/EIR, please contact Kenneth Parr at 775-882-3436, or Michael Cooney, DWR, 916-227-7606, fax 916-227-7600, e-mail: mikec@water.ca.gov, or call 1-800-742-9474 (enter 26). Information is also available on Reclamation's Web site at: http://www.usbr.gov/mp/troa/.

# # #

The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

Revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report (revised Draft EIS/EIR) for the Draft Truckee River Operating Agreement (TROA)