BOR releases report on Newlands Project

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) announced in a press release the release of its Draft Resource Management Plan and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the Newlands Project.

The purpose of the Newlands Project RMP is to provide a single, comprehensive land use plan that will guide contemporary resource and recreation needs of the federal lands administered by Reclamation in the Newlands Project planning area.

The Newlands Project provides irrigation water from the Truckee and Carson rivers for agricultural land in the Lahontan Valley through a series of diversions, canals, dams and reservoirs.

Two open house sessions to provide information and receive public input will be held.

The first is June 18 from 3-7 p.m. at the Churchill County Commission Chambers, 155 N. Taylor Street, Ste. 110.

The second is June 19 from 4-7 p.m. at the Hyatt Place Reno-Tahoe Airport, 1790 East Plumb Lane in Reno.

The Draft EIS was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and is available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=2822. Individuals who encounter problems accessing the document online, call 916-978-5100 (TTY 916-978-5608) or email to mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

The Draft RMP/EIS may be viewed at the Washoe County Library, 301 S. Center St. in Reno; the Fernley Branch of the Lyon County Library, 575 Silver Lace Blvd.; and the Churchill County Library, 553 South Maine St. in Fallon. The documents may also be viewed at the Bureau of Reclamation, Lahontan Basin Area Office, 705 N. Plaza St., Room 320 in Carson City and at the Natural Resources Library, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Main Interior Building, Washington, D.C. 20240.

For information or for special assistance to participate in the meetings, contact Bob Edwards at 775-884-8342 (TTY 775-882-3436) or email redwards@usbr.gov. Comments must be received by July 29 and should be sent to Bob Edwards, RMP Project Manager, Bureau of Reclamation, 705 N. Plaza Street, Room 320, Carson City, NV 89701, faxed to 775-882-7592 or emailed to redwards@usbr.gov. Written comments may also be submitted during the open house sessions.

If special assistance is required to attend the open house sessions, contact Edwards in advance to secure the needed services.