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News Release City of Fernley Shari L. Whalen, P.E. Public Works Department Voice (775) 784-9910 Fax (775) 784-9966 [EMAIL REDACTED] 12/17/2010 www.cityoffernley.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE On December 17, 2010, The City of Fernley and the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe recently concluded another year of water leasing. 2010 was the second year the parties agreed to a one year lease of the City of Fernley’s Truckee River surface water rights. Under the terms of the Lease, the City of Fernley obtained temporary permits to change the place and manner of use of the City of Fernley’s Truckee River surface water rights for a single irrigation season. The temporary permits authorized the City of Fernley to use its water down river from Derby Dam, which is the intake structure for the Truckee Canal, to increase flows of the Truckee River for the benefit of fish habitat. In exchange, the City of Fernley will receive a portion of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe’s water stored in upstream reservoirs on the Truckee River. The City of Fernley may also receive payment of up to 4.2 million dollars for its leased water, if currently pending federal legislation that authorizes a City of Fernley water leasing program passes through Congress. The temporary permits do not alter the City of Fernley’s ownership status of these surface water rights. The City of Fernley will eventually use its Truckee River surface water rights to meet municipal water demand. However, the City of Fernley is able to meet current municipal water demand with its groundwater rights. The City of Fernley will continue to explore lease agreements, which maximize the use and ownership benefit of these surface water rights. For further information, please contact Ms. Kathy Bennett, City of Fernley, at 595 Silver Lace Blvd., Fernley, Nevada 89408, [PHONE REDACTED] or [EMAIL REDACTED].