Go to main contentsGo to main menu
Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 3:13 PM

Commissioners vote to support Fernley's position on canal lining project

Commissioners vote to support Fernley's position on canal lining project

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

After hearing a presentation by David Rigdon, the attorney representing the City of Fernley on the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s project to line the Truckee-Carson Irrigation Canal through a portion of Fernley, the Lyon County Commissioners voted unanimously to direct staff to work with the City of Fernley to draft a resolution in support of the City’s position on the project and for staff to provide additional recommendations.

Commissioner Rob Jacobson also requested staff to invite the Bureau of Reclamation to present at a future Commission meeting.

Rigdon made his presentation during the Commission’s Sept. 7 meeting on the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Truckee Canal Extraordinary Maintenance project, impacts from the project, and the status of associated litigation.

The Bureau of Reclamation completed an Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision in 2020 recommended lining the whole 12.7 miles of the canal with a geomembrane and concrete liner in a series of phases. The beginning phase of the project lines roughly 3.5 miles of the canal and will cost an estimated $35 million.

The Truckee Canal Irrigation District (TCID) entered into a contract with the Bureau of Reclamation for water right users to repay the costs of the project over 50 years, thus imposing assessments on water right holders to pay for the project obligations. The City of Fernley will be assessed approximately $2.5 million over the next 50 years for the project.

According to Rigdon, this project will negatively impact residents and businesses by reducing the amount of water absorbed from the canal into the groundwater system. According to an independent study commissioned by the City of Fernley, impacts from the project over 40 years include water levels will fall by 90 feet and 71% of domestic wells will fail.

South Lyon Medical Center Second Phase of Life Event

South Lyon Medical Center is hosting a Second Phase of Life event on Friday, Sept. 22 for seniors and older adults to connect with resources from the hospital, law enforcement, emergency medical services, human services, state agencies, and more. The event will be held at the Pioneer Crossing Convention Center. More information is available on the South Lyon Medical Center website https://slmcnv.org/.

Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Activities:

Sheriff Brad Pope presented two Life Saving Awards to deputy Levi Bell and deputy Ariana Mendoza. On July 20, Bell and Mendoza took action during a welfare check which likely saved the life of an 81-year-old man, according to the letter of recommendation provided by Sgt. Julie Redmond.

Pope said the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office hired a school resource officer for schools in Silver Springs and is working with the school district to explore adding a second SRO position in Fernley. Pope reminded the community of the zero tolerance policy in schools.

BOCC Action Items:

The Lyon County BOCC also took action on the following items:

·Approved a request for a zoning map amendment from Aspen Creek, 2022, LLC, to reconfigure the zoning boundaries of a dual-zoned, 612,85-acre parcel to align with current floodplain map boundaries. In addition, commissioners approved the request for a tentative subdivision map from Aspen Creek 2022, LLC to create a 499-lot single-family residential subdivision on a 612.85-acre parcel (APN 016-023-02).

·Appointed Shannon Lee Cresola to the planning commission. Motion by Commissioner Hockaday and approved with three commissioners in support (Hockaday, Jacobson, Henderson) and two opposed (Keller, Hendrix).

·Appointed M. Kameron Hawkins (December 31, 2023) and Celeste A. Thornhill (expiring December 31, 2024) to the Smith Valley Park and Recreation Board.

·Acknowledged the resignation of Charlotte F. Guthrie from the Lyon County Fair Board.

·Approved a payment of $30,950.00 for a storm drain easement across APNs 016-341-08, 016-341-34 and 016-341-35. From Cardelli ditch

·Approved a five-year master plan for the 911 telephone surcharge.

·Approved an improvement agreement between Lyon County and Copper Canyon 2016, LLC for Copper Canyon 2016, LLC to make a certain improvements in the NDOT right of way and to authorize the county make an application, with the landowner responsible for all the costs and maintenance, and to authorize the county manager to sign.

·Approved a notice of award to the lowest responsive bidder, American Road Maintenance, in the amount of $302,525.50 for the Silver Springs Airport to rehabilitate Runway 06/24 and Taxiway A.

The complete agenda and back up materials are posted online at www.lyon-county.org/Agendacenter.

For more information, visit our website https://www.lyon-county.org/ and follow https://www.facebook.com/LyonCountyNV.  Residents can view recordings of previous Board of County Commission meetings on the Lyon County YouTube Channel.


Share
Rate

Comment

Comments

COMMENTS
Comment author: PFB Comment text: Why can't you guys find competent contractors.. For a large municipal facility like the indoor-outdoor Fernley Swimming Pool located at 300 Cottonwood Lane, a complete ground-up commercial build or major structural renovation typically spans 6 to 12 months or longer when factoring in large-scale engineering, public municipal permitting, specialized commercial HVAC/roofing, and health department inspections. The current renovation has been- The Fernley Swimming Pool has been closed for approximately six to seven months since late February 2026 for a major roof replacement and facility renovation. Now you sat October. Soooo 8 months for a new roof. The picture shows no other renovations. Comment publication date: 9/17/26, 7:14 PM Comment source: Electrical problem delays Fernley pool opening Comment author: P Comment text: Relative of the Mayor is to over see this site. Anyone who knows Fernley KNOWS this is more of the who you are related to and know business in this town. VOTE THEM ALL OUT AND THE CALIFORNIA TRANSPLANTS. Comment publication date: 9/16/26, 10:31 PM Comment source: Lift Station Failure Released Untreated Sewage Comment author: Christopher Walsh Comment text: Could you look into the strong recurring smell around Fernley? It smells like sewage and it can be bad enough that people don’t want to be outside or open their windows. It would be helpful to get an investigative journalist help the Fernley residents get a clear answer from the City, NDEP, and any involved facilities. I was really disappointed that the smell was not disclosed by my realtor when I moved here. I enjoy Fernley and am seeing the improvements that are being made. With Appreciation Comment publication date: 9/12/26, 2:49 PM Comment source: Sewage spill near City of Fernley Municipal Well 9 Comment author: Alicia Euresti Comment text: We are all so blessed to have Pastor Matt and Mrs. Regina in this town. They have become a major part of pur family and our children adore them. Thank you both for all you do for qll of us. We love you!!!! Comment publication date: 9/6/26, 9:24 PM Comment source: Fascinating Fernley: Meet Your Neighbors at Living Faith Food Pantry Comment author: R Conley Comment text: Is the deputy receiving any additional training or reinforcing prior training? Comment publication date: 9/5/26, 10:08 AM Comment source: Inmate escapes from Fernley substation Comment author: Kayla Allen Comment text: Suzie was a wonderful woman. I was pleased to call her my "godmother" as she helped me to become a better version of myself. I think about her a lot. Comment publication date: 7/10/26, 8:31 PM Comment source: Susanne Lynn Foster