River Justice

Healing Waters Institute (HWI) is submitting this grant in pursuit of River Justice. Indigenous Peoples of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe (PLPT) are leading river protection efforts, because the river cannot speak for itself. Massive amounts of litter, other solid waste, and chemical nonpoint pollution enter the Truckee River from Reno, Sparks, other upstream communities, Interstate 80, and other uses. e This pollution can impact the health and survival of the endemic and federally endangered cui-ui (Chasmistes cujus), as well as the federally threatened Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkia henshawi). This pollution is also an environmental justice issue, because it impacts the cultural and human rights of downstream Indigenous Peoples. Every day, Native people connect with water and continue to protect water. Their everyday struggle to maintain traditional, cultural, and spiritual connections to land, air, and water is being threatened. This grant will support the six clean up projects from Wadsworth to Pyramid Lake on the PLPT Reservation to help achieve the long-term health of the waters, wildlife, and communities of the lower Truckee River.

TMWA Benefit:

The monitoring program will help identify challenges such as aquatic invasive weeds (I), terrestrial invasive and noxious weeds (not enumerated by TRF), erosion and sediment discharges (II), and restoration/revegetation needs (IV). Our clean up projects will further stewardship and environmental awareness (VI). Our tour and training will build collaboration and coordination to leverage better stakeholder assets and participation (VIII). Perhaps most important, this grant will support the health of the Truckee River’s federally threatened and endangered species.