[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 34 (Thursday, February 20, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 7761]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4172]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for 
Cherry Creek Dam Safety Evaluation Denver, Colorado

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Cherry Creek Dam was constructed in the 1940's by the Corps of 
Engineers primarily to provide flood control for the City of Denver. 
Although the project became operational in 1950, the facility was 
operated without a permanent pool until 1958. The State of Colorado, 
through its Department of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, operates the 
project as Cherry Creek State Park. A 1993 reconnaissance-level report 
by the Corps revealed that the dam does not meet the level of safety 
currently required for such a project when located upstream from a 
major metropolitan area. The proposed action is to provide increased 
flood storage capacity, an increase in emergency spillway capacity, or 
a combination of the two, so as to bring the project up to current dam 
safety guidelines/requirements.
    In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
and implementing regulations, an environmental impact statement will be 
prepared to analyze the impacts of the proposed action and 
alternatives. Public scoping meetings have been scheduled to solicit 
comments regarding the scope of the environmental studies.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action 
and Environmental Impact Statement should be directed to: Ms. Candace 
M. Thomas, Chief, Environmental Analysis Branch,U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, 215 North 17th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68102-4978; telephone 
(402) 221-4598, FAX (402) 221-4886.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A selected plan has yet to be defined. A 
number of possible alternatives were identified in the 1993 report; it 
is planned to refine the number of alternatives in the current study. 
The alternatives most likely to be studied in detail in the EIS are as 
follows:
     No Federal Action.
     A dam rise.
     A supplemental spillway.
     A combination of dam raise and addition of a supplemental 
spillway.
     Supplemental upstream storage.
     Other, partial solutions such as closing the existing 
spillway and/or changes to the existing outlet works capacity.
    An afternoon public open house and evening scoping meeting have 
been scheduled for March 4, 1997 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. 
respectively at the Holiday Inn Denver Southwest, 3200 South Parker 
Road, Aurora, Colorado. The purpose of these meetings is to solicit 
input on issues, alternatives to be evaluated, and potential 
environmental effects. Written comments will also be solicited.
    Potential significant environmental issues include possible impacts 
to threatened and endangered species, wetlands, upstream areas of 
special biological significance, and social and economic impacts to 
upstream and downstream residences and businesses.
    Other applicable and pertinent environmental review and 
consultation requirements will be undertaken simultaneously with the 
NEPA process, including requirements of the Endangered Species Act, 
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, National Historic Preservation Act, 
Clear Water Act, Clear Air Act, and others.
Gregory D. Showalter,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-4172 Filed 2-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-62-M