Sacramento, Calif.
(916) 978-5100
Released On: September 15, 2008
The Bureau of Reclamation announces the publication in the Federal Register of a proposed Federal Rule on the Truckee River Operating Agreement (TROA) and the start of a 60-day public comment period. Reclamation is proposing the rule to comply with the Truckee-Carson-Pyramid Lake Water Rights Settlement Act, which requires TROA be promulgated as a Federal Regulation. TROA is the result of 18 years of discussion, negotiation, and cooperation among many Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies and organizations.
Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne signed TROA at a ceremony held September 6, 2008, in Reno, Nevada, along with 16 signatory parties including the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, U.S. Department of Justice, the States of California and Nevada, and the Truckee Meadows Water Authority. Prior to signing TROA, Secretary Kempthorne signed the associated Record of Decision under the National Environmental Policy Act. The State of California Resources Secretary signed the Notice of Determination under the California Environmental Quality Act on September 9, 2008.
TROA will implement Section 205 of the Truckee-Carson-Pyramid Lake Water Rights Settlement Act of 1990, Title II of Public Law 101-618. The Agreement will modify the operations of Truckee River reservoirs upstream of Reno, Nevada, and enhance the flexibility and coordination of those operations while meeting flood control and dam safety requirements. With the implementation of TROA, interstate water allocations will take effect between California and Nevada in the Lake Tahoe, Truckee River, and Carson River basins.
The public should submit their comments by close of business Friday, November 14, 2008, to Mr. Kenneth Parr, Bureau of Reclamation, 705 N. Plaza St., Carson City, NV 89701 or to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov, docket identification number BOR-2008-0006. The proposed rule can be viewed on Reclamation's TROA website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/troa/. For additional information or to request a copy of TROA, please contact Mr. Parr at 775-882-3436 or kparr@mp.usbr.gov.