The U.S. Department of the Interior and California Department of Water Resources (DWR), as co-lead agencies, are conducting public hearings on the jointly prepared revised draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (revised draft EIS/EIR) for the Draft Truckee River Operating Agreement (TROA) 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 revised draft EIS/EIR was released on August 25, 2004. The comment period deadline is currently scheduled for close of business on Friday, October 29, 2004.

The hearings are scheduled for October 18-21, 2004, at the following locations:

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Reno, NV Monday, October 18 7-10 p.m. Dept. of Water Resources 4930 Energy Way

Fernley, NV Tuesday, October 19 1-4 p.m. City Council Chambers 595 Silver Lace Blvd.

Nixon, NV Tuesday, October 19 6-9 p.m. Pyramid Lake Tribal Council Chambers 210 Capitol Hill

Kings Beach, CA Wednesday, October 20 1-4 p.m. North Tahoe Conference Center 8318 North Lake Blvd.

Truckee, CA Wednesday, October 20 7-10 p.m. Parks and Recreation Community Center 10046 Church St.

Fallon, NV Thursday, October 21 7-10 p.m. Fallon Convention Center 100 Campus Way

TROA would modify existing operations of all designated reservoirs to enhance coordination and flexibility while ensuring that existing water rights are served and flood control and safety of dams requirements are met. 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 (Reno-Sparks metropolitan area); (3) improve Truckee River water quality downstream from Sparks, Nevada; and (4) enhance streamflows and recreational opportunities in the Truckee River Basin. At the time TROA takes effect, the Settlement Act provides that a permanent allocation between California and Nevada of water in the Lake Tahoe, Truckee River and Carson River basins will also take effect.

Written comments on the revised draft EIS/EIR should be mailed to: Kenneth Parr, Bureau of Reclamation, 705 North Plaza Street, Room 320, Carson City, NV. 89701-4015, or faxed to 775-882-7592, or e-mailed to kparr@mp.usbr.gov. All comments, oral or written, will become part of the public record.

For additional information or to request a copy of the revised draft EIS/EIR, please contact Kenneth Parr at 775-882-3436 or Michael Cooney, DWR, at 916-227-7606, fax 916-227-7600, or e-mail: mikec@water.ca.gov, or call 1-800-742-9474 (enter 26). Information is also available on Reclamation's Web site at: http://www.usbr.gov/mp/troa/.