News Release Archive

Truckee River Operating Agreement Draft Storage Contract Available for Public Review and Comment

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, (916) 978-5100, 07/01/2008 18:27

For Release: July 01, 2008

The Bureau of Reclamation announces the availability of a Draft Storage Contract with the Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) for a 60-day public review and comment period.  Reclamation and TMWA recently completed negotiations for the storage of TMWA's municipal and industrial water in Reclamation's Federal reservoirs located in the upper Truckee River Basin.  A water storage contract between TMWA and Reclamation is required before the Truckee River Operating Agreement (TROA) can be approved.

TROA 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).  It would modify existing operations of 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 the 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.

The Draft Storage Contract is available on Reclamation's TROA website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/troa.  If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please contact Ms. Lynnette Wirth at 916-978-5102 or lwirth@mp.usbr.gov.

Written comments on the draft contract must be received by close of business Friday, August 29, 2008, and should be mailed to Mr. Kenneth Parr, Bureau of Reclamation, 705 North Plaza Street, Room 320, Carson City, NV 89701-4015, or faxed to 775-882-7592, or e-mailed to kparr@mp.usbr.gov.  All comments become part of the public record.

For questions or to request a copy of the draft contract, please contact Mr. Parr at 775-882-3436.  Additional information on TROA is available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/troa/.

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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:

TROA homepage