Nevada Wildlife Federation

Argenta Marsh -
Wetlands Restoration Project
by Merlin McColm

Rock Creek in the Argenta Marsh area.

One of the most exciting potential wetland restoration projects in Nevada and maybe in the western U.S. is located on the Humboldt River in Northern Lander County.   The area is known as Argenta Marsh (also called "Community Pasture") is situated on the Humboldt flood plain immediately adjacent to the small community of Battle Mountain.  The area is part of the Humboldt project and is owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and leased to the Pershing County Water Conservation District (PCWCD).

It was a warm day in early October of 1956 when this author first visited the Argenta Marsh (a.k.a Community Pasture).  The day was spent with the local Fish and Game warden who was checking local hunters and fisherman.  Even by Nevada standards, the word pasture seems an inadequate term for an area that covers nearly 30,000 acres (46 square miles).  Even though familiar with the Ruby Marsh and some of the more productive wetlands in the state, this writer was unprepared for the profusion and diversity of wildlife, waterfowl, upland game, birding, big game and game fish.  The meandering course of the Humboldt River over the flood plain left countless oxbow sloughs and ponds that swarmed with ducks, geese, swans, and shore birds.  The dense stands of willows were interspersed with park-like meadows that abounded with deer, rabbits, pheasants and quail.  Lower Rock Creek and many of the sloughs and ponds were full of bass, crappie and catfish.  There were two marsh areas, one near Argenta that covered about 2,000 acres and one at the confluence of Rock Creek and the Humboldt that spread over 600 acres.

The coup de grace to this once beautiful area was delivered in 1959 when channelization of the Humboldt River was completed and the area sprayed with herbicide to kill the willows and other riparian vegetation.

The good news is that much, if not all, of the damage is reversible.  It is now recognized that the original water augmentation techniques used to speed water to Rye Patch Reservoir (channelizing and the destruction of native riparian vegetation) are failed technology.  By restoring the Humboldt River to a meandering channel and recharging the marsh and surface aquifer, the water delivery system to Rye Patch Reservoir would be improved.  Natural riverine systems in good condition are the best protection against extremes in water flows and excessive silt build up.

The Humboldt Project is a term most Nevadan's are not familiar with but in the early 1930's it was big news in Northern Nevada. It was heralded as a progressive step in an attempt to stabilize the agricultural economy of the small town of Lovelock, Nevada. These were the early days of the New Deal when the Federal Government began injecting enormous amounts of public money into irrigation and hydroelectric projects all over the west.   Few of these projects could be justified from a realistic cost benefit analysis so it is not surprising that cost benefit ratios were skewed.  These were the depression years and water projects have always been the sacred cow of western politics.

As irrigation projects go, the Humboldt Project was small.  The main reservoir, Rye Patch, was designed with a capacity of 190,000 acre feet.  The Upper and lower Pitt-Taylor Reservoirs had a capacity of 50,000 acre feet.  They were built in the early part of the century and sold to the Pershing County Water Conservation District in 1947 to become incorporated into the project.

The Humboldt Project was designed and implemented as a single use project to benefit a small number of ranchers and farmers in the Lovelock Valley.  The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is the Agency that provided the funding and technical expertise.  As with most single use projects, little attention or thought was given to peripheral environmental impacts.  The fact that Lander County was to lose one of its most beautiful and productive agricultural and recreational areas for the purpose of providing Pershing County farmers with irrigation water was not a major Concern at the time.   The Pershing County Water Conservation District continues to lease the community pasture for grazing livestock.  According to the state report written by the Nevada Department of Wildlife, Wildlife And Wildlife Habitats Associated With The Humboldt River and Major Tributaries - Humboldt River-Community Pasture, the area continues to be grazed and badly managed.

The PCWCD has claimed they have a right to title as they have contractual agreement with the U.S. Government, The Bureau of Reclamation refutes this and states, "that no such agreement exists."  They further state, "they know of no case where the Congress of the United States has authorized the transfer of project facilities and real property to the water users".  There are good reasons for this.  The Humboldt Project was heavily subsidized.  The original loans were interest free.   The latest of these subsidized loans was for the repairs to the dam in 1995 which cost several million dollars.  The U.S. Government paid 85% of the cost while PCWCD is to repay 15%, interest free.  Even with this investment of public money the Nevada Department of Wildlife was unable to negotiate a badly needed minimum pool.  The public has gotten minimal benefits from its investment and has every right to participate in management decisions that affect these public lands.

The Humboldt Project was originally designed by the BOR as a single use project.   This singular approach was changed in 1993 when the BOR issued "The Blue Print for Reform". In this statement the BOR addresses "adverse impacts of existing projects", and, "...implementing environmental restoration efforts, and undertaking programs and activities with more concern for environmental values".

In 1994, the Elko County Conservation Association organized two meetings; One in July and a field tour in September.  The tour was attended by about 40 people representing nine different agencies.  The BOR outlined a plan of action at that time and solicited recommendations from the participants.  The BOR was to complete the plan by the end of 1994.  As of this date, the plan has not been received.

In the fall elections of 1996, Lander County voters rejected an opportunity to transfer funds from the failed Rack Creek Dam proposal to the Community Pasture Project.  This was a disappointment but hardly surprising as only a handful of people living in Lander County today know what an extraordinary area it once was.

Only recently has Lander County expressed an interest in restoring the pasture to its former productivity.  With Lander County taking a leadership role in the pasture's restoration, wide support should follow from groups who affirm the importance of wetland restoration.  In January of 1997 the Lander County Commissioners went on record as opposing the transfer of the Community Pasture to PCWCD. They also went on record of announcing long range plans to restore the marsh area.

Much of the riparian vegetation in the pasture could be restored through intensive livestock management and plantings of riparian shrubs such as willow and cottonwood.   The restoration of the Argenta Marsh, however, would require extensive planning and engineering.  It has also been suggested that this stage may require the acquisition of water rights.

At a recent meeting in Battle mountain called by former Lander County Commissioner Gerald LaMiaux; the possible restoration of the area was discussed with many interested parties including PCWCD representatives.  Nearly all those present were in favor of moving ahead with investigating the feasibility of restoration.  The Nevada Department of Wildlife's Director Willie Molini introduced a representative from the North American Waterfowl Association who outlined their Intermountain Joint Venture Program.   Mine dewatering was discussed as a possible water source for rewatering the marsh areas.  In excess of 100,000 GPM is now being pumped into the Humboldt drainage above the pasture.

A local expert on insect Vectors also discussed potential mosquito and black fly problems that would be inherent with restoration.

The PCWCD has always resisted public involvement in the management of the pasture, as up until now, they have been the sole beneficiaries of the pasture resources.   However, it is public land and at some point PCWCD will realize that accommodating wildlife and recreational interests will be essential for continued public funding of the Humboldt project.

PCWCD is continuing their efforts to acquire title to the land from the U.S. Government; however, this would take an act of Congress and requires the support of the Nevada Congressional delegation.  If this were to happen, it would mean any chance for multiple use management or restoration of the riparian and marsh habitats would be lost.

It is important for interested individuals to contact Nevada's Congressional delegation and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and let them know you support Lander County in its efforts to keep the Argenta Marsh in public ownership and that you support restoration of the riparian and wetland areas.

 

To voice support for the restoration of the Argenta Marsh, contact the following people:
U. S. Senator Harry Reid Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-3542	U.S. Senator Richard Bryan Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-6244
Representative James Gibbons U.S. House of Representatives 1116 Longworth Building Wanhington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-6155	Representative Shelley Berkley U.S. House of Representatives 1505 Longworth Building Wanhington, D.C. 20515 Phone: 202-225-5965
Anne Bell, Area Manager U.S. Bureau of Reclamation P.0. Box 640 Carson City, Nevada 89702 Phone: (702) 882-3436	Governor Kenny Guinn State Capitol Building Carson City, Nevada 89710 Phone: (702) 687-5670
For further information contact:
Nevada Wildlife Federation PO Box 71238 Reno, NV 89570 Phone, Northern Nevada:  775-885-0405 Phone, Southern Nevada:  702-253-0104 e-mail:  nvwf@nvwf.org	Jason Jackson Argenta Marsh Committee e-mail:  jjackson@the-onramp.net
Elko County Conservation Association P. 0. Box 2561 Elko, Nevada 89803 (702) 738-3260	Gerald LaMiaux 158 East Fifth Street Battle Mountain, Nevada 89820 (702) 635-5794