News Release Archive

Comment Period Extended for Public Review of Truckee River Operating Agreement Revised Draft Environmental Document

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

For Release: October 26, 2004

The U.S. Department of the Interior and California Department of Water Resources (DWR), as co-lead agencies, have extended the comment period for the Truckee River Operating Agreement (TROA) revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (revised Draft EIS/EIR) to the close of business on December 30, 2004. 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).

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.

Written comments must be received by close of business on Thursday, December 30, 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 will become part of the public record. Open house meetings were held in September 2004 and public hearings were conducted in October 2004.

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 at 916-227-7606, fax 916-227-7600 or 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/.

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Relevant Link:

Comment Period Extended for Public Review of Truckee River Operating Agreement Revised Draft Environmental Document