Environmental statements; notice of intent: Hess Reservoir, Parker, CO,

Text

---

Federal Register: January 10, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 6)NoticesPage 1359-1360From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr10ja00-26

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Proposed Rueter-Hess Reservoir, Parker, Colorado

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the direct, indirect and cumulative effects of constructing and operating the proposed Rueter-Hess Reservoir. The basic purpose of the proposed action is to provide a safe, adequate and sustainable municipal water supply to Parker Water and Sanitation District, Parker, CO, which is capable of meeting the peak demands for the District's service area for the next 50 years. The construction of the proposed project would result in temporary and permanent impacts to wetlands and other waters of the United States, requiring a section 404 permit. To familiarize the public and interested organizations with the project and potential environmental issues that may be involved, the COE has prepared a scoping document for the project. This document includes a project description, preliminary list of alternatives and various environmental/resource issues that will be addressed in the EIS. Copies of the scoping document will be available at the public scoping meetings or can be requested by mail. The EIS will be prepared according to the COE's procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), and consistent with the COE's policy to facilitate public understanding and review of agency proposals.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding the proposed action and EIS can be addressed to Rodney Schwartz, EIS Project Manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 215 North 17th Street, Omaha, NE 68102-4978 or at 402-221-4143.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Parker Water and Sanitation District proposes to construct and operate Rueter-Hess Reservoir and the associated water delivery system in order to provide a safe, adequate and sustainable municipal water supply, which is capable of meeting the peak demands for the District's service area for the next 50 years. The proposed reservoir is located in Douglas County, Colorado approximately 12 miles southeast of Denver and 3 miles southwest of the town of Parker. The construction of the 120-foot high, 2,600-foot long dam would impound 15,000 acre-feet of water and inundate approximately 385 acres in and around Newlin Gulch, an intermittent tributary to Cherry Creek.

The water supply system would be designed to be capable of capturing, reusing and storing seasonal high flows in nearby Cherry Creek and also capable of capturing and reusing Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWT) return flows currently discharged into Cherry Creek. The water system would provide

[Page 1360]adequate storage to ensure it has the capability to meet peak seasonal demands and help conserve ground water by maximum utilization of surface and AWT return flows in Cherry Creek. The current projected buildout for the water distribution and supply system is for 23,840 taps or approximately 85,000 residents within the next 50 years.

Scoping meetings will be held at two locations:

1. February 2, 2000 at 7 p.m. at the Parker Mainstreet Center, 19650 E. Mainstreet, Parker, CO.

2. February 3, 2000 at 7 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Southeast Hotel, 7525 E. Hampden Avenue, Denver, CO.

These scoping meetings will be held to describe the proposed project, preliminary alternatives, the NEPA compliance process and to solicit input on the issues and alternatives to be evaluated and other related matters. Written comments will also be requested. Gregory D. Showalter, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.

FR Doc. 00-496Filed1-7-00; 8:45 amBILLING CODE 3710-62-M

---