Palo Verde Irrigation District

“The Nevada Conservation Corps crews will help us improve local recreation opportunities on Reclamation and adjacent lands near the Colorado River,” said Commissioner Connor. “Through these projects and because of Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar’s focus on youth employment, these young people will have an excellent opportunity to work outdoors in the coming year and perhaps choose careers with Reclamation.” The Colorado Regional Heritage Greenway Trail Project is a collaborative partnership whose partners include the National Park Service, Nevada’s Clark County, the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. The crews will work on the greenway trail system and picnic areas, improve fishing and river access, improve hiking and equestrian trails and develop a ½-mile-long interpretative walk highlighting Reclamation’s heritage in the 1940’s Davis Dam Contractors Camp.

“This Greenway project is part of Reclamation’s ongoing collaboration to enhance recreation areas along the lower Colorado River and offer more opportunities for families to get outside,” said Lower Colorado Regional Director Lorri Gray-Lee. “We are also glad we can offer employment experience and resource education for these crews of five to ten young folks out of the Las Vegas area,” added Gray-Lee.

The NCC crews will also work on the River Mountains Loop Trail and in the adjacent River Mountains area in Henderson, Nev. They will perform trail maintenance and construction as well as work on restoration projects and desert clean-up initiatives, including installing signs and safety devices on the trail and on Reclamation lands adjacent to the 11.5-mile trail segment. The city of Henderson manages the trail, and partners include the River Mountains Loop Trail Partnership, the Railroad Pass Casino, Boulder City and the NPS.

The popular Historic Railroad Trail begins in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, meanders onto Reclamation-managed land and ends at the top of the Hoover Dam Parking Garage. With its great views of Lake Mead and pathways through tunnels, the trail follows the old railroad bed that was used for delivering materials and supplies that could not be transported by conventional roadway means for the construction of Hoover Dam. The NCC crews will perform fencing and basic construction activities on the Historic Railroad Trail.

The contract includes NCC work on ongoing resource management efforts through large-scale clean-up efforts and the restoration of heavily impacted areas on other lands managed by Reclamation that need attention due to desert trash dumping and increased usage.

The NCC is an AmeriCorps affiliated program founded on the original Civilian Conservation Corps model with participants ranging in age from 18 to 25.

In early November, lake levels will begin rising again and the conservation work will be completed. Current water level information is available at http://www.usbr.gov/lc/riverops.html.

While the Mohave Lake level is lowering, Reclamation’s Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (MSCP) will be harvesting razorback suckers from several lakeside fish-rearing ponds around Lake Mohave. Each year, tens of thousands of newly hatched razorback sucker larvae are collected from Lake Mohave to be raised in state and federal hatcheries throughout the southwest. Upon reaching the minimum stocking size, about 12 inches, the fish are micro-chip tagged and released into the lower Colorado River or adjacent floodplain backwaters.

The project is part of the Reclamation’s continuing collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and also includes the National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona State University, and the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

The Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program is a multi-agency effort to accommodate current and present water and power needs while conserving species and their habitats along the river. For more information about the LCR MSCP, visit the Internet site at www.lcrmscp.gov/.

“This funding agreement is an important step toward developing a dependable, long-term water supply for the White Mountain Apache Tribe who, for too long, has had to depend upon shallow, unreliable wells,” Secretary Salazar said. “Advancing Indian water rights settlements like this one is a critical piece of President Obama’s efforts to empower tribal governments and help them build stronger and more prosperous communities.”

"One of Reclamation's priorities is to ensure that native communities can make the most of their water allocations," said Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor. "This agreement will not only help provide a permanent water supply and economic security for the tribe, but it will also provide certainty to water users throughout the Colorado River Basin." The agreement covers a three-year period for the initial planning, environmental compliance, feasibility engineering and design of the Miner Flat Project on the reservation. The completed project will include construction of a concrete dam, pumping plants, a water treatment plant and water distribution pipelines on the White River in southeast Navajo County, Ariz. The project is estimated to create over 120 direct and indirect jobs.

Under the terms of the agreement, the tribe will contract for preparation of design specifications, cost estimates and environmental documents. Reclamation will perform technical oversight of the agreement, ensure adherence to all federal requirements including labor, safety and environmental regulations and provide other technical assistance as requested by the tribe.

The tribe was authorized to contract for the work under the White Mountain Apache Tribe Rural Water System Loan Authorization Act as amended by the Claims Resolution Act of 2010 which contained four Indian water rights agreements, totaling more than $1 billion, that will deliver clean drinking water for the Taos Pueblo and Aamodt case pueblos in New Mexico; as well as the Crow Tribe of Montana and the White Mountain Apache Tribe in Arizona. The agreements will build and improve reservation water systems, rehabilitate irrigation projects, construct a regional multi-pueblo water system, and codify water-sharing arrangements between Indian and neighboring communities.

The proposed action would not result in additional construction of new facilities or any land-disturbing activities beyond what has been considered within the EA.

Based upon the EA, Reclamation?s preliminary determination is that a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is appropriate for this proposed lease, and an environmental impact statement is not required. However, all comments from the public will be fully considered before a final decision is issued.

The EA and draft FONSI is posted for public review on Reclamation?s Phoenix Area Office website, www.usbr.gov/lc/phoenix. A hard copy or CD version of the EA is available by calling the Environmental Resource Management Division at (623) 773-6251, or by e-mailing jharagara@usbr.gov.

Please mail your comments to Ms. Nichole Olsker, Bureau of Reclamation, 6150 W. Thunderbird Rd., Glendale AZ 85306-4001, Attention PXAO-1500, via electronic mail to nolsker@usbr.gov, or fax to (623) 773-6486, no later than October 28, 2011. Questions should be directed to Ms. Olsker at (623) 773-6258.

"Valerie has a strong technical expertise in environmental compliance field, and contributes to Reclamation?s mission by providing grounded leadership and management skills, common sense, a fact based approach to problem solving, and a good sense of humor," said Director Gray-Lee.

Val Thomas began her civil service career in October of 1995 as an environmental protection specialist with the Department of Defense. She joined the Bureau of Reclamation, Lower Colorado Region in July 2009, and recently served as the Environmental Compliance Group Manager for an 11-member team of professionals. This group is critical to meeting the Region's environmental compliance mandates including Environmental Management System (EMS) implemented to reduce environmental impacts from the Region?s activities and facility operations; the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) which guides the production of environmental analysis documents for Regional projects; Cultural Resources Management; and Hazardous Material/Waste Management. Thomas also led her team in providing technical assistance in these areas to partner agencies, water users and Tribes and other stakeholders throughout the Region.

Valerie is a combat veteran, retiring as a Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel in 2003 after assignments that took her from Alaska to Iraq. Thomas has a B.S. degree from the Archeological Division of the Social Science Department at Michigan Technological University.

With Phase 4 of the Study, the team is seeking a broad range of options to help resolve future water supply and demand imbalances in the Colorado River. The team will explore the effectiveness of various options and groupings of options, referred to as strategies, for helping resolve projected future imbalances. The performance of options and strategies will be evaluated over time and across the combination of water supply and demand scenarios. Due to the scale of the Basin, the magnitude and timing of projected imbalances, and the broad needs of the Basin resources being considered, a wide variety of options will likely be explored, including conservation and reuse, development of local groundwater supplies, augmentation, water transfers, and operational efficiencies.

The reports and analysis in the Study will better define options for future water management of the Colorado River Basin where climate change, record drought, population increases and environmental needs have heightened competition for scarce water supplies. Based on preliminary assessments, large supply-demand imbalances greater than 3.5 million acre-feet (maf) are plausible over the next 50 years when considering a water supply scenario that incorporates changes in climate. Work is ongoing to explore alternative combinations of supply and demand that could result in a range of imbalances both greater and less than 3.5 maf.

“Those who best understand the dynamics of the Colorado River are the people who can bring the most to the table in gathering ideas and insight on the potential future management of the basin,” Commissioner Michael L. Connor said today. “Phase 4 of this basin study invites a broad discussion on ideas that can help identify how future water managers will address imbalances between supply and demand along the Colorado. Reclamation, the seven Colorado River Basin States and our many partners throughout the basin have much to learn from this study to guide future management, so it is critical that we provide this forum to gather a wide array of public input.”

Reclamation is considering the needs of the Basin resources that are dependent upon a healthy river system, including water for municipal, industrial and agricultural use, hydroelectric power generation, recreation, fish and wildlife and water dependent ecological systems, under a broad range of conditions that could occur over the next 50 years.

“Bringing in many perspectives is critical to the success of the Study,” said Co-Study Manager for Reclamation Carly Jerla. “We are seeking input from a wide range of stakeholders and interested parties from within and outside of the Basin to help identify a broad range of ideas because no single option will be adequate to meet all of the future needs of Basin resources,” Jerla added.

Due to the inherent complexities of the Study and the many diverse interests and perspectives, new information will be distributed in the form of technical updates. The updates will be published to reflect continuous technical developments and the ongoing input of stakeholders. Interim Report No. 1 was published in June 2011 and technical updates to the reports included in Interim Report No. 1 will be published in January 2012, with additional technical updates in spring 2012. The Study is targeted for completion in July 2012.

Additional information on the Study including preliminary information on future supply and demand projected imbalances, the process for submitting ideas, and information on how to join a webinar about the Study, can be found online at: www.usbr.gov/lc/region/programs/crbstudy.html.

The lake will be lowered to approximately elevation 445.0 feet above mean sea level by January 3, 2012. Lake Havasu is expected to remain at this lower elevation through January 6, 2012. Small, intermittent fluctuations may occur due to unforeseen wet weather or other operational considerations.

The lake will begin to return to normal operating levels of about 448 ft on or before January 17.

All lake users should remember that fluctuating or lower than normal flows may expose or create natural hazards such as moving sandbars, gravel bars, unstable riverbanks, floating or submerged debris, or other unfamiliar obstacles. As always, use common sense and stay alert when using the Colorado River and its reservoirs.

Reclamation is lowering Lake Havasu to facilitate a BLM seawall restoration project at Linda’s Camp, a boat-in campsite approximately 8 miles upstream of Parker Dam on the Arizona side of the lake. The BLM Lake Havasu Field Office will refurbish a seawall at Linda’s Camp where some blocks have been dislodged. The site is one of the 88 shoreline camps available along the Arizona side of Lake Havasu, from Lake Havasu City south to the Parker Dam. These sites are only accessible by watercraft.

Linda’s Camp is closed at this time and will re-open in mid-January, when the work is complete. Please contact the BLM Lake Havasu Field Office Project Engineer Bill Parry at 928-505-1211 for more information on construction activities.

Additional information about Havasu lake elevations and lower Colorado River operations are available on Reclamation’s website at: www.usbr.gov/lc/riverops.html.

“Chau is a terrific example of perseverance and dedication. She brings solid leadership skills to a very complex area of Reclamation’s mission,” said Director Gray-Lee. “Chau’s work in Reclamation offices in Boulder City, Hoover Dam and the Denver office gave her a wide array of problem-solving skills and working relationships to continue the Region’s excellence in delivery of clean hydropower,” Gray-Lee added.

Chau has over 20 years experience in hydropower engineering. She has received numerous awards including twice as a recipient of the Superior Service Award, one of the Department of the Interior’s highest for career employees; and she was given the Heart of Hydro Award. Chau Nguyen is a registered Professional Engineer (PE) in Electrical Engineering in the State of Nevada, and holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) credential from the Project Management Institute.

Chau was born is Vietnam and, as the oldest of seven children, stayed behind to care for her ailing paternal grandparents when her family escaped Vietnamese Communists in 1975. After her grandfather died, her grandmother obtained permission to leave the country and convinced the Communists to allow Chau to travel with her due to her poor health and because Chau’s family was already living in the United States.

Chau reunited with her family in 1980 in Tucson, Arizona and began the difficult adjustment to a new life, new culture, new environment, democracy, and most importantly getting to know her family again. Chau did not speak English so her biggest challenge was mastering the language before she could attend the University of Arizona. In May 1981, Chau passed her English exam and was accepted to the University of Arizona. She graduated 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and in November 1985 was sworn in as a U.S. citizen.

In 1986, Chau obtained a position in Reclamation’s Lower Colorado Region as a Rotation Engineer with the Power Division, Engineering and Communication Branch. In 1988, she transferred to Hoover Dam’s Engineering Division, Electrical Engineering Branch; and became Hoover’s Engineering Group Manager in 2000. Chau was promoted to the Chief of Engineering for the Lower Colorado Dams Area Office in 2010.

Chau lives in Boulder City, Nevada and enjoys cooking, reading, hiking and traveling. She has traveled to all seven continents included Antarctica. She begins her new position on January 1, 2012 in the 1400/Green Building in Boulder City, Nevada.

The Region’s ESO provides nearly all facets of engineering design, construction, and other technical services including cost estimating; acquisition activities; contract administration; construction management and quality assurance; field engineering; safety and occupational health management, emergency management, examination of existing infrastructure, and dam safety.

“While Scott Tincher has a strong engineering background, he also has people management skills and can communicate controversial, difficult, and multifaceted issues extremely well. He continues to mentor those that are involved with evaluating future operations of the facilities,” said Regional Director Lorri Gray-Lee. “He knows our Regional projects well, and I’m confident he’ll continue the excellent service reputation of the Region’s ESO,” added Gray-Lee.

Before coming to the Boulder City Office, Scott spent 4 ½ years working in the Lower Colorado Region’s Yuma Area Office performing hydraulic studies, managing projects, and supervising employees performing a broad range of technical duties. Scott’s areas of expertise include water resources engineering and dam safety. While in Yuma, he also assisted with review of early designs of the Brock Reservoir Project, a successful water conservation project funded by stakeholders in three states.

Scott has 25 years experience as an engineer. Before coming to Reclamation, he was with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and engineering service contractors from 1995 to 2004, working on design of hydraulic structures and analysis of flow-through man-made structures and natural features such as rivers. Scott’s experience also includes engineering and contract work for water conveyances systems in the private sector.

Scott Tincher received his Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from California Polytechnic University in 1982 and his Masters Degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources and Water Treatment in 1995 from Sacramento State University. Scott carries a P.E. in Civil Engineering and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Currently residing in Henderson, Nevada, with his wife, Theresa Tincher and assumes his new duties on December 18, 2011.

The temporary drawdown will have only minimal impact on releases from Parker Dam and flows below Headgate Rock Dam. During the drawdown, the Lake Moovalya water level will stay at approximately elevation 363.40 feet; it is normally at elevation 364.40 feet.

The drawdown is scheduled to begin Tuesday morning, January 3, 2012. The one-foot drop should be completed by Tuesday afternoon, but environmental conditions could vary the drawdown time. The lake should return to its normal elevation by Tuesday, January 17, 2012; however, a return to normal elevation may occur sooner or later than this date based on operational or environmental conditions.

All river users should remember that fluctuating or decreasing river flows may expose or create natural hazards such as moving sandbars, gravel bars, unstable riverbanks, floating or submerged debris, or other unfamiliar obstacles. As always, take precautions and stay alert to use the Colorado River safely.