[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 84 (Wednesday, April 30, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23437-23438]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-9440]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Northern Integrated Supply Project, Larimer and Weld Counties, CO

AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Omaha District has 
prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the 
direct, indirect and cumulative effects of the construction of the 
Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) involving the Glade Reservoir 
and the South Platte Water Conservation Project (SPWCP) involving the 
Galeton Reservoir in Larimer and Weld Counties, CO. The Proposed Action 
is a regional water supply project intended to provide approximately 
40,000 acre-feet (AF) of

[[Page 23438]]

new water for 12 water providers and municipalities in Larimer, Weld, 
Morgan and Boulder Counties. Construction of the two reservoirs and 
support facilities would result in permanent impacts to approximately 
44 acres of wetlands and 7 acres of other waters and temporary impacts 
to approximately 10 acres of wetlands and 9 acres of other waters. This 
action requires authorization from the Corps under Section 404 of the 
Clean Water Act. The Applicant is the Northern Colorado Water 
Conservancy District (NCWCD).
    The Draft EIS was prepared in accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, and the Corps' 
regulations for NEPA implementation (33 Code of Federal Regulations 
[CFR] parts 230 and 325, Appendices B and C). The Corps, Omaha 
District, Regulatory Branch is the lead federal agency responsible for 
the Draft EIS and information contained in the EIS serves as the basis 
for a decision regarding issuance of a section 404 permit. It also 
provides information for Federal, state and local agencies having 
jurisdictional responsibility for affected resources.

DATES: Written comments on the Draft EIS will be accepted on or after 
April 30, 2008 until July 29, 2008. Oral and/or written comments may 
also be presented at the Public Hearing to be held at 6 p.m. on 
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at the Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree 
Drive, Fort Collins, CO and at the Public Hearing to be held at 7 p.m. 
on Thursday, June 19, 2008 at the University of Northern Colorado 
Student Center, 501 20th Street, Greeley, CO.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments regarding the Proposed Action and 
Draft EIS to Chandler J. Peter, NEPA EIS/404b1 Coordinator, U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, Omaha District--Denver Regulatory Office, 9307 
South Wadsworth Boulevard, Littleton, CO 80128 or via e-mail: 
[email protected]. Requests to be placed on or removed 
from the mailing list should also be sent to this address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chandler J. Peter, NEPA EIS/404b1 
Coordinator, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at 303-979-4120; Fax 303-979-
0602.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the Draft EIS is to provide 
decision-makers and the public with information pertaining to the 
Proposed Action and alternatives, and to disclose environmental impacts 
and identify mitigation measures to reduce impacts. NCWCD proposes to 
construct Glade Reservoir with a total storage capacity of 
approximately 170,000 AF. NCWCD also proposes to construct the SPWCP 
which includes Galeton Reservoir with a total storage capacity of 
approximately 40,000 AF and support facilities. In addition to Glade 
Reservoir, an existing diversion dam and intake structure in the Cache 
la Poudre River would be rehabilitated and a forebay, pumping facility 
and outlet channel would be constructed. Glade Reservoir would inundate 
approximately 7 miles of U.S. Highway 287, requiring a relocation of 
the highway east of its current alignment as well as a section of the 
Munroe (North Poudre Supply) Canal requiring it to be rerouted. 
Construction of a new pipeline from Glade Reservoir to the existing 
Horsetooth Reservoir, a part of the Colorado-Big Thompson project, is 
also proposed. A new diversion dam and intake in the South Platte 
River, pumping facilities, and new pipelines would also be constructed 
with Galeton Reservoir for the SPWCP.
    The purpose for the project is to provide additional firm annual 
yield to the 12 water providers and communities to address anticipated 
water demands associated with projected growth. Operations of the 
reservoirs involve an exchange of water. The Glade Reservoir would be 
filled with water from a new water right as well as agricultural water 
normally diverted for irrigation. Agricultural water would be replaced 
by the South Platte Water Conservation Project which will divert new 
water rights from the South Platte River and pumping it into Galeton 
Reservoir.
    In addition to the Proposed Action, the Draft EIS analyzes three 
primary alternatives and associated sub-alternatives: (1) The Cactus 
Hill Reservoir (180,000 AF) and SPWCP (40,000 AF Galeton Reservoir) 
Alternative, (2) the Glade Reservoir and reduced SPWCP (20,000 AF 
Galeton) with agriculture transfers, and (3) the No Action Alternative.
    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region VIII, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Colorado Department of 
Transportation, and Larimer County participated as cooperating agencies 
in the formulation of the Draft EIS.
    Copies of the Draft EIS will be available for review at:
    1. Colorado State University Morgan Library, 501 University Avenue, 
Fort Collins, CO 80523.
    2. Fort Collins Regional Library District, 201 Peterson St., Fort 
Collins, CO 80524.
    3. Fort Collins Regional Library District, 4616 S. Shields St., 
Fort Collins, CO 80526.
    4. Windsor Recreation Center, 250 11th Street, Windsor, CO 80550.
    5. Greeley City Manager's Office, 1000 10th Street, Greeley, CO 
80631.
    6. University of Northern Colorado, James A. Michener Library, 
Greeley, CO 80639.
    7. Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, 220 Water Avenue, 
Berthoud, CO 80513.
    8. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Denver Regulatory Office, 9307 S. 
Wadsworth Boulevard, Littleton, CO 80128.
    Electronic copies of the Draft EIS may be obtained from the Denver 
Regulatory Office or its Web site at http://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/html/od-tl/eis-info.htm.

Chandler J. Peter,
NEPA EIS/404b1 Coordinator, Operations Division, Omaha District.
 [FR Doc. E8-9440 Filed 4-29-08; 8:45 am]
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