The Bureau of Reclamation has released the final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact to authorize the Lahontan substation rebuild and upgrade project, according to a press release.
The EA analyzed the effects of authorizing NV Energy a right-of-way to rebuild the Lahontan substation on a new site approximately one-half mile northeast of Lahontan Dam and approximately 200 feet to the northeast of the existing substation, on land under BOR jurisdiction in Churchill County.
The substation is the primary source for electricity for customers in Fallon as well as the Naval Air Station. Upgrades to the substation are necessary to more reliably serve NV Energy’s customers by bringing the substation facilities up to date, while ensuring facility operations function in a dependable manner and to bring geothermal generation into NV Energy’s system from the Stillwater area.
The comment period for the Draft EA ended May 28. No comments were received during the period.
The Final EA and FONSI were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and may be viewed online on the BOR’s website. For trouble accessing the documents online, call 916-978-5100 (TTY 800-877-8339) or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.
To request a copy of the environmental documents or for additional information, please contact Julia Long at 775-884-8372 or jlong@usbr.gov.
The BOR will also hold a public session to negotiate a new repayment contract for extraordinary maintenance with an existing operation and maintenance contractor, the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District, according to a press release.
The BOR proposes to negotiate and execute a new repayment contract between TCID and the United States for the repayment of pre-construction costs for the planning, risk assessment, environmental compliance and design and specifications for future safety and structural improvements on the Truckee Canal.
The Truckee Canal extends 32 miles from Derby Dam to Lahontan Reservoir. It provides 100 percent of the water to the Fernley (Truckee) Division and also provides a supplemental supply to the Carson (Fallon) Division of the Newlands Project.
The negotiation session will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday and Aug. 13 at 10 a.m. (if needed*) at the Churchill County Commissioners Chambers, 155 N. Taylor St.
If negotiations are not completed the first day, negotiations will continue on the second day.
The public is welcome to attend and will have the opportunity to comment. Participation instructions will be provided at the beginning of the session, along with pertinent documents.
For information, contact Bryce White at 775-884-8392 (TTY 800-735-2929), email bwhite@usbr.gov or Lee Berget at 775-884-8360, email lberget@usbr.gov.