Nevada Tribe Assumes Leadership Role In Managing Water For Fish

RENO (AP) - A northern Nevada tribe has assumed a leadership role in managing the waters of a reservoir used for the purpose of maintaining and protecting two native species of fish.

The "team lead" for management of Stampede Reservoir's waters was transferred Friday from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe.

The move gives the tribe the top role in scheduling releases of water from the Sierra reservoir located east of Truckee, Calif.

The water is stored solely for the endangered cui-ui (kwee-wee) fish and Lahontan cutthroat trout in the Truckee River and Pyramid Lake.

Fish and wildlife officials hailed the transfer as a "significant event."

A 1999 agreement signed by the fish and wildlife service, tribe, Bureau of Reclamation and Bureau of Indian Affairs called for the tribe to assume leadership status upon completion of a plan to protect fish in Pyramid Lake.

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