The Bureau of Reclamation is extending the scoping comment period deadline for the Walker River Basin Acquisitions Program Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) from November 26, 2007, to December 10, 2007.  Additional comments are welcome even if comments have already been submitted.  Reclamation is preparing the EIS to comply with requirements of Public Law 109-103 which allocates $70 million from Reclamation to the University of Nevada to acquire from willing sellers land, water appurtenant to the land, and related interests in the Walker River Basin.  All acquired water rights would be transferred to provide water to Walker Lake.  The goal is to acquire sufficient water rights to increase the long-term average annual inflow to Walker Lake by up to 50,000 acre-feet to help restore a sustainable condition of ecological health to the lake. 

Public scoping comments on the acquisitions program outlined in the law will be considered in developing EIS alternatives and identifying significant issues to be addressed in the EIS.  In addition, scoping comments can include providing sources of relevant data or information to assist in the EIS analysis of the acquisitions program. 

Written comments on the scope of the EIS should be sent by close of business Monday, December 10, 2007 to Mrs. Caryn Huntt DeCarlo, Bureau of Reclamation, 705 N. Plaza Street, Room 320, Carson City, NV, 89701, e-mail chunttdecarlo@mp.usbr.gov, or fax 775-884-8376.  For additional information or to request translation services or special assistance, please contact Mrs. Huntt DeCarlo at 775-884-8352, TDD 775-882-3436.