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- Reclamation Extends Comment Period for Draft EIS for Walker River Basin Acquisition Program
News Release Archive
Reclamation Extends Comment Period for Draft EIS for Walker River Basin Acquisition Program
Media Contact:
Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100, plucero@usbr.gov
For Release: August 28, 2009
The Bureau of Reclamation has extended the comment period from Monday, September 14, to Monday, October 5, 2009, for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Walker River Basin Acquisition Program. The Draft EIS analyzes the impacts of the University of Nevada's Acquisition Program of acquiring from willing sellers, land, water appurtenant to the land, and related interests in the Walker River Basin in Nevada. Reclamation's funding of the University's Acquisition Program is directed in Public Law 109-103 Section 208 with the goal of providing water to Walker Lake.
Since 1882, diversions from Walker River, primarily for upstream irrigated agriculture, have resulted in an approximate 150-foot drop in Walker Lake's surface elevation. The declining lake level has degraded the water quality and caused environmental impacts to the lake's fish and wildlife. The goal of the University's Acquisition Program is to acquire water rights to increase the long-term average annual inflow to Walker Lake to improve the lake's ecology.
Public hearings were held to receive comments on the Draft EIS on August 17, 18, 19, and 20, 2009, in Reno, Yerington, Wellington, and Hawthorne, respectively. The Draft EIS may be viewed at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=2810. If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, please call 916-978-5100 (TDD 916-978-5608) or e-mail lwirth@usbr.gov. The Draft EIS may also be viewed at Reclamation's Lahontan Basin Area Office, 705 N Plaza, Room 320, Carson City; the Lyon County Main Office, 27 S. Main Street, Yerington; and the county libraries in Smith, Hawthorne, and Yerington, in Nevada.
Written comments on the Draft EIS should be sent by close of business Monday, October 5, 2009, to Mrs. Caryn Huntt DeCarlo, Bureau of Reclamation, 705 N Plaza, Room 320, Carson City, NV 89701 or e-mailed to chunttdecarlo@usbr.gov. For additional information or copies of the Draft EIS, please contact Mrs. Huntt DeCarlo at 775-884-8352 or via e-mail.
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