News Release Archive

Reclamation Solicits Input on Conveyance of Treated Effluent Water Through the Newlands Project Drain in Nevada

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100 TTY 916-978-5608 , plucero@usbr.gov
Andrea Minor, 775-884-8366 FAX 775-882-7592, aminor@usbr.gov

For Release: June 17, 2010

The Bureau of Reclamation is preparing an Environmental Assessment to authorize conveyance of up to 560 acre-feet per year of treated effluent water through the Newlands Project's Wade Drain.

Authorization by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) would allow treated effluent water from Churchill County's Moody Lane Regional Water Reclamation Facility to flow through the Newlands Project Wade Drain to Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge.  

Minor modifications to existing Wade Drain facilities would be made for the conveyance of the treated effluent water. In particular, a new water control structure would be constructed to measure and release treated effluent from the D-Line to the F2/Shaffner Drain.  The Wade Drain is located in the Lahontan Valley in Churchill County, near Fallon, Nevada.  Treated effluent from Churchill County, conveyed through the Wade Drain, would provide water to assist with restoring and protecting portions of historic wetlands habitat at Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge.     

Reclamation plans to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement to define the roles and responsibilities for the use of federal water diversion, storage, and conveyance facilities to deliver water to Lahontan Valley wetlands. This agreement constitutes a federal action requiring an Environmental Assessment (EA) under the National Environmental Policy Act.  

Reclamation is seeking public comments to help identify any potential environmental issues, concerns, and alternatives that should be addressed in the EA.  The public will be asked to continue to participate as the EA process proceeds.

Written comments on the proposed authorization must be received by close of business on Friday, July 9, 2010, and may be mailed to Andrea Minor, Bureau of Reclamation, 705 N. Plaza Street, Room 320, Carson City, NV 89701-4015, faxed to 775-882-7592, or e-mailed to aminor@usbr.gov.  For more information, please call Ms. Minor at 775-884-8366.

Public Disclosure

Before including your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment - including your personal identifying information - may be made publicly available.  While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

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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.