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Historic, Archive Document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. FISH CREEKRESERVOIR EXPANSION FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTSTATEMENT | FISH CREEK RESERVOIR EXPANSION FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT SEPTEMBER 1993 ~’1 I AGRICULTURAL ; IRRABV NOV 2 4 1993 J CATALOGING PRER ROUTT NATIONAL FOREST 29587 WEST US. SUITE 20 40, STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO 80487 FINAL 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 Colorado Department of Health - Water Quality Control Division Colorado Department ofNatural Resources Colorado State Historic Preservation Office Colorado Division of Wildlife Routt County Responsible Official: Jerry E. Schmidt, Forest Supervisor Routt National Forest Further Information: Wendy Schmitzer Routt National Forest 29587 West U.S. 40, #20 CO Steamboat Springs, 80487 (303) 879-1722 Sherry Reed, District Ranger Hahns Peak District 57 10th Street, Box 771212 Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80477 (303) 879-1870 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 of the main dam approximately20 feet and reconstructing the saddle dam and spillway. Also proposed are the installation of an early warning system on both dams, and an undergroundpowerlineas the principal powersourcefor the early warning 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, three other alternatives that would be available to the City and Mt. Werner are displayed: Water Conservation, Infiltration Gallery Expansion, and a Combination Alternative consisting of Water Conservation, Infiltration Gallery Expansion and Fish Creek Reservoir Modernization. At this time, considering the environmental impacts to publiclands and the opportunitiesfor use ofthose lands which would benefit the most peopleover the longest term, the Forest Supervisorprefers Alternative B. The U.S. Army CorpsofEngineers will also make a decision concerning the issuance ofa permit as is required under Section 404 of the Clean WaterAct, 1977.