Carson City is developing a comprehensive update to its Carson River Master Plan (1996). Through the development of a community-driven master plan, Carson City seeks to manage, protect, interpret, and enhance the natural and recreational resources of the Carson River into the future. 

 Project Goal

 To manage, protect, interpret, and enhance the natural and recreational resources of the Carson River into   the future through development of an updated, community-driven master plan. 

Background Information

 Since adopting the Carson River Master Plan in 1996, Carson City has been working with local partners   and stakeholders to implement and achieve many of the plan's detailed recommendations and elements.   The City has acquired hundreds of acres of property and completed numerous park improvement   projects, all with an aim towards balancing resource protections and recreational access opportunities.   Over time, as conditions in the river corridor have improved, the City has transitioned from a focus on   land acquisition to land management. Carson City is looking to build on its past successes and   accomplishments to continue to steward the river for generations to come.

 Click here to see the original Carson River Master Plan!

Stakeholder Engagement

Community outreach is a huge component of the Master Plan update. In addition to seeking feedback from members of the public, we will also engage with a core group of stakeholders comprised of partner agencies including local, state, and federal government officials, non-profit groups, and individuals who helped write the original plan in 1996. 

Carson River Master Plan Partner Collaboration Kick-Off

The first part of the stakeholder engagement process was to host the Carson River Master Plan Partner Collaboration Kick-Off Tour, which was held on September 26, 2024 and included a guided walk along the Buzzy's Ranch Trail, adjacent to the Carson River. Approximately 20 stakeholders were in attendance from a variety of agencies, in addition to staff from the Carson City Parks, Recreation & Open Space Department, Carson Water Subconservancy District, and our federal partner from the National Park Service - River, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program. A number of topics were covered including the Carson City Open Space Program, and the acquisition and protection of approximately 11 miles of the Carson River corridor through Carson City, thanks in large part to the Question 18 - Quality of Life Initiative passed by voters in 1996. Other topics discussed included: riverbank erosion, noxious weed control, water quality, mercury, natural resource management, education and interpretation, and recreation.

Future stakeholder engagement for this project will involve in-person meetings to dive deeper into specific topics and planning related to the Carson River Master Plan and Carson River.

Carson River Master Plan Partner Stakeholder Workshop

Carson City Parks, Recreation & Open Space Department staff hosted the "Carson River Master Plan Partner Stakeholder Workshop" on November 21. Attendees included planning staff from Carson City, Carson Water Subconservancy District, National Park Service-Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, and Resource Concepts Inc., as well as about 20 staff from partner agencies who have been invited to participate as stakeholders in the Carson River Master Plan amendment process. The purpose of this event was to provide additional background on the project and review survey results from the Public User Experience Survey and Stakeholder Survey that were launched this year. The results of both surveys can be found below. Additionally, the group started to brainstorm themes and key topics for inclusion in the amended plan. Future outreach activities will include additional workshops for stakeholders and an open house for the public. 

Carson River Master Plan Stakeholder Survey Results

Carson River Master Plan Public Survey Results

1.2. 3. 

 Photo 1. Patrick Johnston with the National Park Service - Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program sets the stage for the workshop. 

Photo 2. Lyndsey Boyer, Open Space Manager for Carson City Parks, Recreation & Open Space Department, prompts attendees to answer the ice breaker question: "What is one word you would use to describe the Carson River?".

Photo 3. Results of group brainstorm session regarding major themes from both public and stakeholder surveys that will inform core components of the Carson River Master Plan amendment.

Project Partners

 The National Park Service - Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program (NPS-RTCA) supports community led natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation projects across the nation. NPS-RTCA assists communities and public land managers in developing or restoring parks, conservation areas, rivers, and wildlife habitats, as well as creating outdoor recreation opportunities and programs that engage future generations in the outdoors. 

Carson Water Subconservancy District promotes cooperative action in the Carson River Watershed. CWSD is a unique multi-county, bi-state agency which crosses both political and stakeholder boundaries. CWSD involves all watershed counties and communities to develop regional planning and management solutions for the Carson River Watershed. CWSD Board members are elected officials, agricultural producers and citizens who represent their communities. CWSD leads the integrated watershed planning process in the following categories: water quality, floodplain management, regional water supply, invasive species, river rehabilitation and stabilization, outreach and education, and recreation projects.