RENO, Nev. (AP) — Water officials have finalized a deal regarding the Truckee River after decadeslong disputes over how the waters should be managed.
The Reno Gazette-Journal reports Truckee Meadows Water Authority directors have agreed to sell up to 2,750 acre-feet of water rights to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. The long-pursued Truckee River Operating Agreement could now be implemented by next year.
The agreement was signed by the tribe, federal government, Nevada and California in 2008 but lawsuits have stalled its progress.
The sale of the water rights will allow the dismissal of the remaining lawsuits, including a suit filed in 1973 against the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District.
The agreement has been designed to permanently replace an inflexible water system and will allow more storage in upstream reservoirs for use during drought.