LVEA in Action                                                                                                                                                               Fall 2004   ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 

TRUCKEE RIVER OPERATING AGREEMENT
REVISED DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW

The Truckee River Operating Agreement (TROA) revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (revised DRAFT EIS/EIR) is available for public review and public hearings have been scheduled.

The U.S. Department of the Interior and California Department of Water Resources (DWR), as co-lead agencies, have jointly prepared a revised Draft EIS/EIR for the Draft Truckee River Operating Agreement which 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).

The Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) states that TROA would modify operations of all designated reservoirs to enhance coordination and flexibility while ensuring that existing water rights are served and flood control and safety of dam requirements are met.  

BOR also states that 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; (3) improve Truckee River water quality

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downstream from Sparks; and (4) enhance stream flows and recreational opportunities in the Truckee River Basin.

When TROA takes effect, the Settlement Act provides that a permanent allocation between California and Nevada of water in Lake Tahoe, Truckee River and Carson River basins will also take effect.

Public hearings are scheduled for Tuesday, October 19^th, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, in Fernley, at the City Council Chambers and Thursday, October 21, 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, in Fallon, at the Fallon Convention Center.

The hearings are designed to allow individuals the opportunity to provide testimony that will become part of the official public record.  Testimony may be presented orally or in writing.  The public is encouraged to attend.

Written comment must be received by close of business on Friday, October 29, 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.

Information regarding TROA and the revised Draft EIS/EIR is available on the Bureau of

 
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