PLPT TROA Water Management

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) intends to issue a grant agreement to Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe under the authority of Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) 15.508 Providing Water to At-Risk Natural Desert Terminal Lakes, Public Laws 108-7 Consolidated Appropriation Resolution, 2003, Division D, Title II, Section 207, enacted February 20, 2003 and 113-79 Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm Bill), Title II, Section 2507, enacted February 7, 2014. Estimated total amount of agreement is $529,500.00. Reclamation is providing $529,500.00 in Fiscal Year 2017. The objectives of the project are to: Objective #1: Implement TROA operational provisions to manage water rights efficiently and effectively to provide the delivery of water to Pyramid Lake through the Truckee River system which will provide conservation benefits to associated fish, wildlife, plant, and habitat resources. Objective #2: Monitor Truckee Canal operations, directly participate in projects regarding future Truckee Canal operations and/or repairs, and monitor upstream groundwater pumping to ensure these activities do not impact providing water to Pyramid Lake by diminishing the Tribal water resources or Tribal water rights that are used to support and enhance the associated fish, wildlife, plants, and habitat resources. Objective #3: Increase direct flow in the lower Truckee River and flow to Pyramid Lake from proper management of water releases, storage, and reservoir utilization for an efficient adaptive water management plan that will provide water to Pyramid Lake and conservation benefits to associated fish, wildlife, plants, and habitat resources. Objective #4: Enhance Truckee River flows for riparian vegetation, aquatic habitat, and water quality of the lower Truckee River and terminus Pyramid Lake. Objective #5: Participate in ongoing Federal litigation against TCID for the recoupment of water diverted to the Newlands Project in violation of operating criteria in order to establish the amount of water to be repaid, and to ensure its repayment, to the lower Truckee River and Pyramid Lake to enhance the benefits to the associated fish, wildlife, plants, and habitat resources. (Refer to the Notice of Intent to Award Announcement No. BOR-MP-17-N028 for additional information) A Determination by the Government not to compete this proposed financial assistance based upon Departmental Manual 505 DM 2, paragraph 2.14(B)(4) is solely within the discretion of the Government. This notice of intent is NOT a request for competitive proposals. Questions concerning this announcement should be directed to Larry Glover-Meade, Grants Management Specialist, by e-mail at Lglovermeade@usbr.gov.