News Release Archive

Public Scoping Meetings Scheduled on the Upper Truckee River Restoration and Golf Course Relocation Project

Media Contact: Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, jmccracken@mp.usbr.gov

For Release: September 05, 2006

The Bureau of Reclamation, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, and the California Department of Parks and Recreation are jointly preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to satisfy the National Environmental Policy Act, a regional EIS to satisfy the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Code of Ordinances, and an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to satisfy the California Environmental Quality Act for the Upper Truckee River Restoration and Golf Course Relocation Project (Project) in El Dorado County.

The restoration effort runs along the reach of the Upper Truckee River that extends from its entry point at the southern boundary of Washoe Meadows State Park to a point just west of U.S. Highway 50 where the river exits Lake Valley State Recreation Area. The property involved includes the Lake Tahoe Golf Course.

Historic land practices substantially altered the Upper Truckee River, degrading the processes and functions of the river and contributing nutrient and suspended sediment discharge to Lake Tahoe and thus decreasing its clarity.

The Project would restore, to the extent feasible, ecological processes and aquatic and riparian habitat quality, reduce erosion, and improve water quality in the Upper Truckee River and Lake Tahoe. Golfing opportunities would continue to include a championship-level quality of play. A Notice of Intent to prepare the EIS/EIS/EIR was published in the Federal Register on September 5, 2006. Two public scoping meetings are scheduled to solicit public input on topics that will be addressed in the EIS/EIS/EIR, including anticipated resources, alternatives, and significant concerns and issues. The meetings are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday, September 26, 2006
First Meeting:               10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Second Meeting             6 p.m. -  8 p.m.
USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Offices
35 College Drive
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

In addition to the public meetings, the proposed Project will be an agenda item at the following TRPA meetings:

Wednesday, September 13, 2006, TRPA Governing Board Room, 128 Market Street, Stateline, NV 89449. Agenda will be available at http://www.trpa.org/default.aspx?tabid=258.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006, North Tahoe Conference Center, 8318 North Lake Blvd., Kings Beach, CA 96143. Agenda will be available at http://www.trpa.org/default.aspx?tabid=259.

Written comments on the scope of the environmental document should be received by close of business Friday, October 6, 2006, and should be sent to Mr. Paul Nielsen, Project Manager, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, P.O. Box 5310, Stateline, NV 89448 or by e-mail at utproject@trpa.org. If you would like to be included on the EIS/EIS/EIR mailing list, please contact Ms. Cyndie Walck, Project Manager, by e-mail at utproject@parks.ca.gov.

For further information, please contact Ms. Myrnie Mayville, Environmental Specialist, at 916-978-5037 or by mail at the Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region, 2800 Cottage Way, Room E-2606, Sacramento, CA 95825-1898, or Ms. Walck at 530-581-0925 or by mail at the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Sierra District, P.O. Box 16, Tahoe City, CA 96145.

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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:

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Meeting - Wednesday, September 13

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Meeting - Wednesday, September 27