Fish Creek Reservoir expansion : draft environmental impact statement

476 Pages·1993·27.4 MB·English

by  United States. Forest Service

Historic, Archive Document
Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

I
FISH CREEK RESERVOIR EXPANSION
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
FEBRUARY 1993
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APR 71993
CATALOGING PREP.
ROUTT NATIONAL FOREST
29587 WEST US. SUITE 20
40,
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO 80487

.
United States Forest Routt 29587 W. US 40, Suite 20
Department of Service National Steamboat Springs,
Agriculture Forest Colorado 80487
303 879-1722
Reply to: 1950-3
Date: February 16, 1993
Dear Reader:
Enclosed is the Fish Creek Reservoir Draft Enviromental Impact Statement (DEIS)
for the proposed enlargement of the Fish Creek Reservoir by the City of
Steamboat Springs and Mt. Werner Water & Sanitation District. This DEIS is
being circulated for your review and comment. The formal comment period ends
on April 12, 1993. Written comments may be sent to:
Jerry E. Schmidt, Forest Supervisor
Routt National Forest
29587 West U.S. Highway 40, Suite 20
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
[phone]
A public meeting will be scheduled during the 45-day comment period to receive
comments after the public has had an opportunity to review the DEIS. Notice of
that meeting will be published in the Steamboat Pilot.
Should you have any questions, please contact Wendy Schmitzer at the telephone
number above
cc S Reed:HP
: .
K.Kowynia:HP
W. Schmitzer
Caring for the Land and Serving People
FS-6200-28M488)

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
FOR THE PROPOSED FISH CREEK RESERVOIR EXPANSION
ROUTT COUNTY, COLORADO
USDA
Lead Agency: - Forest Service
Routt National Forest, Steamboat Springs, Colorado
&
Reviewing Agencies: U.S. Fish Wildlife Service
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Water Quality Control Division, State of Colorado
Colorado Department ofNatural Resources
Colorado State Historic Preservation Office
Colorado Division ofWildlife
Routt County
Responsible Official: Jerry E. Schmidt, Forest Supervisor
Routt National Forest
Further Information: Wendy Schmitzer Sherry Reed, District Ranger
Routt National Forest Hahns Peak District
29587 West U.S. 40, #20 57 10th Street, Box 771212
CO CO
Steamboat Springs, 80487 Steamboat Springs, 80477
[phone] [phone]
ABSTRACT: The City of Steamboat Springs, in partnership with the Mt. Werner Water and
Sanitation District, is proposing to enlarge the existing Fish Creek Reservoir, located on the Routt
National Forest in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Fish Creek Reservoir is a municipal water supply
and is operated by the City under a Forest Service Special Use Permit. The Proposed Action,
Alternative B, includes enlargement of the reservoir’s water storage capacity from 1,842 acre-feet
(AF) to 4,122 AF by raising the level ofthe main dam approximately20 feet and reconstructing the
sadale dam and spillway. Also proposed are the installation of an early warning system on both
dams, and an undergroundpowerlineas the principalpower sourcefor the earlywarning system and
remote off-site operations control. Two other alternatives were analyzed in detail, No Action
(Alternative A), and a smaller reservoir expansion (Alternative C). In addition, two other
alternatives that would be available to the City and Mt. Werner are displayed: Water Conservation,
and Infiltration Gallery Expansion. At this time, considering the environmental impacts to public
lands and the opportunities for use of those lands which would benefit the most people over the
longest term, the Forest Supervisorprefers Alternative B. Following review ofpubliccomments on
this Draft EIS, the Forest Supervisor will make a final determination as to which alternative best
serves the publicinterest onNational Forest SystemLands. The U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers may
also make a decision concerning the issuance of a permit as is required under Section 404 of the
Clean WaterAct, 1977.
Reviewers should provide the Forest Service with their comments during the review period of this
Draft EIS. This will enable the Forest Service to analyze and respond to the comments at one time
and to use information acquired in the preparation of the Final EIS, thus avoiding undue delay in
the decision-making process. Reviewers have the obligation to structure their participation in the
National Environmental Policy Act process so that it is meaningful and alerts the agency to the
reviewer’spositionand contentions (Vermont YankeeNuclearPowerCorp.v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519,
553 (1978)). Environmental objections that could have been raised at the draft stage may be raised,
if not waived, until after completion of the Final EIS (City of Angoon v. Hodel (9th Circuit, 1986)
and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc, v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980)). Comments on
the Draft EIS should be specific and address the adequacy of the environmental impact statement
and the merits of the alternatives discussed (40 CFR 1503.3).
Comments must be received by: £)<prt1 IT,
^
Comments should be sent to: Jerry Schmidt, Forest Supervisor
Routt National Forest
29580 West U.S. Highway 40, Suite 20
CO
Steamboat Springs, 80487