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Water planning commission backs $60,000 NDEP pass‑through for Idyllwild riverbank design
Summary
The Northern Nevada Water Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the Western Regional Water Commission approve a $60,000 pass‑through from the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (Section 604(b) Clean Water Act funds) to support 30% design for riverbank repairs at Idyllwild Park.
The Northern Nevada Water Planning Commission voted unanimously on Oct. 1 to recommend that the Western Regional Water Commission approve pass‑through funding of $60,000 from the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (Section 604(b) Clean Water Act) to support a professional services agreement for 30% design of the Idyllwild Riverbank repair project.
The funding request was presented as an implementation step of a multi‑year vegetation management and restoration effort led by One Truckee River in coordination with Nevada Land Trust. The project scope presented to the commission covered preliminary design and stabilization planning for a stretch of the Truckee River at Idyllwild Park in the urban Truckee River corridor.
Commission staff member Birgit Wittergren introduced the request and turned the presentation over to Iris Jaley Peppard, introduced in the meeting as executive director of One Truckee River. Peppard said the coordinated vegetation management planning effort began in 2020, produced a 2022 framework vegetation management and restoration plan, and has since completed condition assessments that identified multiple areas needing work along the corridor.
Peppard said discussions with City of Reno staff led the group to focus near Idyllwild Park and requested the NDEP 604(b) funding to complete design to the 30% level.
Commission members who spoke praised the regional planning work and supported the request. "I'm fully in favor of this — I think this is a tremendous use of funding," Commissioner Chris Melton said, citing the stakeholder engagement and condition‑assessment methodology used in the planning process.
Commissioner Cara Steelen also voiced support and referenced past One Truckee River projects: "One Truckee River has done incredible work ... and I am fully in support of this project." Commissioner John Flansberg described local geomorphology at the site and noted the bank erosion results from the river's meandering pattern, saying the targeted work is appropriate for that stretch.
The motion to recommend approval of the $60,000 pass‑through was moved and seconded at the meeting; commissioners voted unanimously in favor. Commissioners present recorded no opposing votes.
The approval before the commission was a recommendation to the Western Regional Water Commission; the WRWC must take the formal action to accept the pass‑through and authorize the professional services agreement. The funding will support design work only (30% design) and does not authorize construction. Peppard and staff said the design work is intended to position the project for future construction funding and to refine restoration plans and specifications.
Commission members asked for no additional conditions; staff indicated the item will be forwarded to the WRWC for final approval.
