UPDATE REGARDING THE TRUCKEE CANAL
A message from Mayor Edgington.
Hello Fernley, this is your Mayor, Roy Edgington with an important update related to the Truckee Canal. As you may or may not know, the City filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to get a COVID-19 extension of time to a 45-day period that Reclamation set to receive public comment on the Truckee Canal Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Reclamation was forced to cancel public meetings on March 24 and 25 because of the COVID-19 shut-in orders and did not offer to reschedule these meetings for Fernley residents. Fernley and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe requested that Reclamation extend the public comment period beyond April 20, 2020, and after the COVID-19 shut-in orders are lifted. Reclamation refused and Fernley was left with no option but to file a lawsuit and ask the Federal District Court to intervene.
Unfortunately, this extension to allow for in person comment was not granted. However, the City will be hosting a Zoom meeting to discuss the potential impact to the wells and the City’s water system. This meeting is for all community members, it is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28th at 1:00 pm. There will be a link with how to register for the zoom meeting on the City’s webpage and Facebook page. After you register for the meeting, you will receive a confirmation email letting you know how to join the meeting.
The Truckee Canal runs through Fernley and transports water from the Truckee River to the Lahontan Reservoir. In 2008, a canal breach flooded Fernley.
Reclamation wants to line the Truckee Canal and prevent recharge from reaching a groundwater aquifer that serves Fernley’s municipal water system, and over 450 domestic wells. Reclamation will dry up 71% of the domestic wells and cause operational problems for the City’s water system.
Again, this project will have a significant impact on Fernley, it will affect all residents, whether on a domestic well or on municipal water. I ask you to please consider joining this zoom meeting, make your voice heard, share your comments and concerns regarding this project. Thank you for your time, stay safe and stay healthy.