News Release Archive

Reclamation Seeking Public Input on the Homestretch Geothermal Pilot Project, Wabuska, Nevada

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100, plucero@mp.usbr.gov

For Release: August 29, 2008

The Bureau of Reclamation is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze the impacts of allowing the temporary transfer of water from Homestretch Energy's geothermal plant, located near Wabuska, Nevada, to Walker Lake, located near Hawthorne, Nevada.  During the past century, decreases in freshwater inflows to Walker Lake have resulted in a 145-foot drop in lake level and a corresponding reduction in volume of nearly 80 percent, severely impacting the lake ecology and water quality.  Under the pilot project, approximately 35,000 acre-feet of water would be transferred into Walker Lake during the next 5 years.

This proposed pilot project would also allow for the construction of a 5/8-mile pipeline across public lands to transport the geothermal water from the plants cooling ponds to the Wabuska Drain, which feeds into Walker River and then into Walker Lake.  The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) has entered into a temporary transfer option agreement with Homestretch Energy for a pilot project to pump and deliver their geothermal water into the Wabuska Drain and thus to Walker Lake.  Reclamation is providing funding to the NSHE through the Desert Terminal Lakes Program.  Providing funding is a Federal action that requires Reclamation to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).  Reclamation determined that an Environmental Assessment (EA) is required under NEPA.

  1. The proposed project would help determine the feasibility of utilizing geothermal water offered by Homestretch Energy to improve the water level of Walker Lake as well as provide temporary additional inflows to the lake during the 5-year period.  If the geothermal water is determined to be a feasible source for Walker Lake, the water could be considered for purchase under the Walker River Basin Acquisition Program that is currently being analyzed in a separate Environmental Impact Statement.  Purchasing this geothermal water could reduce the amount of agricultural water that might be acquired. 

As part of the NEPA process, Reclamation is requesting public participation and input to help identify potential environmental issues, concerns, and alternatives that should be addressed in the EA.  An additional opportunity to provide input on the temporary water transfer will occur during a public comment period for the Draft EA, tentatively scheduled for distribution in January 2009.

Written comments on the proposed Homestretch Energy pilot project must be received by close of business Monday, September 15, 2008, and should be mailed to Ms. Andrea Minor, Bureau of Reclamation, 705 N. Plaza Street, Room 320, Carson City, NV 89701-4015, or faxed to 775-882-7592, or e-mailed to aminor@mp.usbr.gov.  For more information, please call Ms. Minor at 775-884-8366.

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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.