KENNY C. GUINN
Governor ALLEN BIAGGI
Administrator
 

The Wendell McCurry Excellence in Water Quality Award
Presented for the Year 2004 has been given to:

The Carson Water Subconservancy District

The Carson Water Subconservancy District has a long history of providing leadership in addressing water quantity and water quality related issues throughout the Carson River Basin. Beginning with the first Carson River Watershed Conference in 1998, the District has promoted a watershed management philosophy and public participation process that transcends political and jurisdictional boundaries including two states, five counties and numerous communities. To highlight some of the District's many achievements:
  • The District was instrumental in the formation of the Carson River Coalition that brings together a wide range of local, county, state and federal agencies, community and environmental groups, and local landowners with the main goal of achieving a healthy, sustainable watershed.

    Under the direction of the District, the CRC has promoted the Integrated Watershed Planning Process and development of the eleven Guiding Principals to direct watershed management in a systematic and coordinated way.

  • The District has supported numerous studies and other data gathering efforts to help better understand water quality and quantity issues including stream flow, recharge, sources of phosphorus, and most recently, the Light Detection and Ranging (or LiDAR) project that will provide geospatial information on riparian vegetation and channel morphology.

  • The District has promoted notable public outreach and education efforts including the upcoming Carson River Conference and the Watershed Map and Interactive Website.

  • The District is taking the lead on developing the Watershed Plan that will guide Carson River TMDL implementation and restoration efforts.

  • Recently, the CWSD was designated by the Governor Guinn as the 208 planning entity for the Carson River Basin and will be responsible for updating the twenty-year old water resources plan.
Although much has been accomplished, much remains to be done. With this award, NDEP commends the District and in particular, the District Manager Ed James and the CRC Watershed Coordinator, Genie Azad for their professionalism and dedication in promoting the vision of healthy land and water within the Carson River Basin.

Press Coverage

August 26, 2004 – Agency wins award for work on Carson River – A Carson City-based water resources organization has received the state’s top water-quality award this year for its work throughout the Carson River watershed.   The sixth annual Wendell McCurry Award, from the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Water Quality Planning, recognizes the Carson Water Subconservancy District for its ongoing efforts to make improvements to the river system in a four-county area of Western Nevada. The river also flows through part of one county in neighboring California – Reno Gazette Journal