AAAAPPPPENDIXENDIX ENDIXENDIX BB BB ... · SolVista Golf and Ski Ranch (2 miles south of Granby, Colorado on Highway 40) July 23, 2003 6:00 - 9:00 P.M. McKee Conference Center 2000

AAAAPPPPPPPPENDIXENDIX ENDIXENDIX BB BB mdashmdash mdashmdash OOOOUTREAUTREAUTREAUTREACHCH CHCH MMMMATATATATEEEERRRRIIIIAAAALLLLSSSS

WW I N D YI N D Y GG A PA P FF I R M I N GI R M I N G PP R O J E C TR O J E C T

Bureau of Reclamation11056 W County Road 18ELoveland CO 80537-9711

The Bureau of Reclamation and the Municipal Subdistrict of the Northern ColoradoWater Conservancy District will hold two public open house meetings to solicit comments on the scope of the EIS You are invited to attend these meetings to learnmore about the project and help identify issues and alternatives The meetings willbe held from 6 to 9 PM on July 22 2003 in Granby Colorado and on July 23 2003in Loveland Colorado

If you have questions or concerns about the scoping process please feel free to contact Kara Lamb at ReclamationPlease also contact Kara for additional copies of this flyer or for directions to the scoping meeting locations

Phone (970) 962-4326

E-mail klambgpusbrgov

To obtain additional information on the NEPA process please visit Reclamationrsquos website at wwwgpusbrgov click onthe link for ldquoEnvironmental Activitiesrdquo To obtain more information on the proposed Windy Gap Firming Project pleasevisit wwwncwcdorg

For More Information

Scoping Announcement July 2003

This scoping announcement provides information about the proposed development of a project to improve the reliability of water deliveries from the existing Windy Gap Project The Windy Gap Firming Project includes nine entities within the Municipal Subdistrict of the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District Because the project would require connection with Colorado-Big Thompson facilities owned by the Bureau of Reclamation an Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared This announcement provides information on the proposed project alternatives issues and how to get involved

Background During the 1960s six entities (the cities of Boulder Greeley Longmont Loveland and Fort Collins and the Town of Estes Park) within northeastern Colorado determined that additional water supplies were needed to meet their projected municipal demands The Municipal Subdistrict of the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (Subdistrict) consisting of the incorporated areas of the six entities was formed to develop the Windy Gap Project (Project) Subsequently the Platte River Power Authority acquired all of the City of Fort Collins allotment contracts as well as one-half of the City of Loveland and the Town of Estes Park contracts The Subdistrict proposed developing what is now the Windy Gap Project using Colorado-Big Thompson Project (C-BT) facilities to store and convey Windy Gap Project water

In 1981 the Bureau of Reclamation completed an Environmental Impact Statement on the effects of using C-BT project facilities for the storage carriage and delivery of Windy Gap Project water Reclamations Record of Decision allowed the conveyance through C-BT Project facilities of an average of about 56000 acre-feet of Windy Gap water annually from the Colorado River with maximum diversions limited to 93300 acre-feet in any one year Average annual deliveries to the Subdistrict were estimated to be about 48000 acre-feet following conveyance and evaporation losses and allocations to the Middle Park Water Conservancy District Reclamation the Subdistrict and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (NCWCD) then entered into a contract for the storage carriage and delivery of Windy Gap Project water in C-BT Project facilities Construction of the Windy Gap Project reservoir pipeline and pumping facility was completed in 1985

Existing Windy Gap Reservoir

The existing Windy Gap Project diverts water from the Colorado River at the confluence of the Colorado and Fraser rivers and pumps this water into the C-BT system for delivery to Windy Gap Project allotees (see figure) Twelve entities currently own the 480 units of water available in the Windy Gap Project Each unit is 1480th of the Subdistrict water supply annually made available by the Board of Directors of the Subdistrict Average annual yield per unit since completion of construction in 1985 has been approximately 17 acre-feetunit compared to the original estimate of 100 acre-feetunit

There are several reasons for this low yield

Water cannot be diverted every year for the Windy GapProject because there are water rights upstream anddownstream of the Project that are more senior and havea higher priority to divert water

In years when the C-BT system is full there is no conveyance or storage capacity in the C-BT system forWindy Gap Project water

2003 One of the goals in developing alternatives for theproposed project was to identify a cooperative regional project that could be integrated with existing water deliverysystems Maximum use of the existing Windy Gap Projectdiversion pumping and pipeline facilities also is desired

The Firming Project Participants varying needs and timingof those needs could allow the proposed project to be constructed in stages depending on the alternative configuration To provide the Firming Project Participants aconsistent annual yield of up to 30000 acre-feet an estimated 110000 acre-feet of new storage specifically forWindy Gap water is needed This is approximately the sizeof the existing Carter Lake southwest of LovelandColorado

The alternatives study evaluated a variety of project elements including non-structural and operational opportunities new reservoir sites enlargement of existingreservoirs and ground water aquifer storage Storage onboth the East and West Slope of the Continental Divide wasevaluated Technical environmental and economic screening criteria were used to identify alternatives capableof meeting the project purpose and need

A combination of new reservoirs may be necessary to meetthe project purpose and need In addition refinements in C-BT system operations may be used to enhance the yield ofnew reservoir storage These refinements include optionsfor storage of C-BT water in a new Windy Gap FirmingReservoir and borrowing storage from the C-BT Project

Reclamation with input from federal state and local government agencies and the public will be evaluating arange of reasonable alternatives for the proposed Windy GapFirming Project The public will have opportunitiesthroughout the scoping process and preparation of the EIS tocomment on alternatives or suggest new alternatives

Several questions regarding the proposed project and thealternatives have been identified and would be consideredin the EIS as listed below Input from the public and otherfederal state and local agencies will help further defineissues of concern

How would the proposed project affect operation of the C-BT project and the existing Windy Gap Project

How would streamflow in the Colorado River be affected

Would this project affect water levels in Lake Granby Carter Lake and Horsetooth Reservoir

What are the impacts to aquatic resources including endangered Colorado River fish

How would water quality on the west and east slope be affected

What would be the impact to streams and wetlands

How would wildlife habitat be affected

Would new reservoirs provide recreational opportunities

Are there any significant cultural resources located within the project area

Reclamation and the NCWCD encourage your participationin the EIS public process Get involved by attending meetings and submitting comments Two meetings will beheld for your convenience

Your comments will be considered in the preparation of theEIS Please mail e-mail or fax comments on the alternatives or other issues pertaining to the proposed projectto the attention of Will Tully at the Bureau of Reclamationby September 5 2003

Mail Bureau of ReclamationEastern Colorado Area Office 11056 W County Road 18E Loveland CO 80537

E-mail wtullygpusbrgov

Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216

Alternatives identified to have the potentialto meet the project purpose and the needs ofthe Firming Project Participants include several new reservoir sites listed below andshown in the Alternative Locations Map

Questions and Issues

How to Get Involved

44500-110000Chimney HollowStorage in acre-feetReservoir Site

110000Little Thompson112000Cactus Hill13000Rawhide

36500-79000Jasper

July 22 2003600 - 900 PMSolVista Golf and Ski Ranch (2 miles south of GranbyColorado on Highway 40)

July 23 2003600 - 900 PMMcKee Conference Center2000 Boise AvenueLoveland Colorado

In years when Windy Gap Project water is stored in the C-BT system Windy Gap Project water is sometimes spilled from the system to make room for C-BT Project water Additionally under the contract between the Subdistrict NCWCD and Reclamation water conveyed and stored for the C-BT Project has priority over water conveyed and stored for the Windy Gap Project

For these reasons nine of the Windy Gap Project allotees referred to collectively as the Firming Project Participants (the cities of Broomfield Greeley Longmont Louisville and Loveland the Towns of Erie and Superior the Central Weld County Water District and the Platte River Power Authority) have requested that the Subdistrict investigate and implement measures to cooperatively enhance or improve the reliability of (or to firm) their Windy Gap Project units The service area boundaries for the Firming Project Participants are shown in the figure to the right

Purpose and Need for the Project

The purpose of the proposed Windy Gap Firming Project is to maximize the use of existing water rights under the Windy Gap Project by improving the delivery and reliability of the existing Windy Gap Project water supply For some Firming Project Participants the proposed project does not firm all of their Windy Gap Project units and not all of the owners of Windy Gap Project water are seeking to firm their units Thus only a portion of the 48000 acre-feet of Windy Gap Project water would be firmed by the proposed action The specific purpose of the project is to provide an annual delivery of up to 30000 acre-feet of water by 2008 depending on the identified needs of the Windy Gap Firming Project participants Each Firming Project Participant owns varying amounts of Windy Gap Project water and each Firming Project Participant has determined its firm water supply needs from the Windy Gap Project and the timing of those needs For some of the Windy Gap allottees an increased water supply is needed immediately to meet current demands other allottees needs are expected to increase over the next several years creating a foreseeable future need for their Windy Gap water

The Windy Gap Firming Project is a non-Federal project It was planned and is proposed to be constructed and operated by the Municipal Subdistrict of the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District Federal

actions related to the proposed project may include decisions on permitting the connection of Windy Gap Firming Project facilities to Colorado-Big Thompson Project facilities granting of right-of-way permits andor easements across Federal lands and issuance of a Federal Section 404 permit

Alternatives Under Consideration

Over the past several years the Subdistrict has investigated a wide range of alternative actions that have the potential to meet the project purpose and meet the needs of the Firming Project Participants These investigations concluded with an Alternatives Plan Formulation Report that was finalized in

In years when Windy Gap Project water is stored in theC-BT system Windy Gap Project water is sometimesspilled from the system to make room for C-BT Projectwater Additionally under the contract between theSubdistrict NCWCD and Reclamation water conveyedand stored for the C-BT Project has priority over waterconveyed and stored for the Windy Gap Project

For these reasons nine of the Windy Gap Project alloteesreferred to collectively as the Firming Project Participants(the cities of Broomfield Greeley Longmont Louisvilleand Loveland the Towns of Erie and Superior the CentralWeld County Water District and the Platte River PowerAuthority) have requested that the Subdistrict investigateand implement measures to cooperatively enhance orimprove the reliability of (or to firm) their Windy GapProject units The service area boundaries for the FirmingProject Participants are shown in the figure to the right

The purpose of the proposed Windy Gap Firming Project isto maximize the use of existing water rights under theWindy Gap Project by improving the delivery and reliabilityof the existing Windy Gap Project water supply For someFirming Project Participants the proposed project does notfirm all of their Windy Gap Project units and not all of theowners of Windy Gap Project water are seeking to firm theirunits Thus only a portion of the 48000 acre-feet of WindyGap Project water would be firmed by the proposedaction The specific purpose of the project is to provide anannual delivery of up to 30000 acre-feet of water by 2008depending on the identified needs of the Windy Gap FirmingProject participants Each FirmingProject Participant owns varyingamounts of Windy Gap Project waterand each Firming Project Participanthas determined its firm water supplyneeds from the Windy Gap Projectand the timing of those needs Forsome of the Windy Gap allottees anincreased water supply is needed immediately to meet currentdemands other allottees needs areexpected to increase over the nextseveral years creating a foreseeablefuture need for their Windy Gapwater

The Windy Gap Firming Project is anon-Federal project It was plannedand is proposed to be constructedand operated by the MunicipalSubdistrict of the Northern ColoradoWater Conservancy District Federal

actions related to the proposed project may include decisionson permitting the connection of Windy Gap Firming Projectfacilities to Colorado-Big Thompson Project facilities granting of right-of-way permits andor easements acrossFederal lands and issuance of a Federal Section 404 permit

Over the past several years the Subdistrict has investigateda wide range of alternative actions that have the potential tomeet the project purpose and meet the needs of the FirmingProject Participants These investigations concluded with anAlternatives Plan Formulation Report that was finalized in



2003 One of the goals in developing alternatives for the proposed project was to identify a cooperative regional project that could be integrated with existing water delivery systems Maximum use of the existing Windy Gap Project diversion pumping and pipeline facilities also is desired

The Firming Project Participants varying needs and timing of those needs could allow the proposed project to be constructed in stages depending on the alternative configuration To provide the Firming Project Participants a consistent annual yield of up to 30000 acre-feet an estimated 110000 acre-feet of new storage specifically for Windy Gap water is needed This is approximately the size of the existing Carter Lake southwest of Loveland Colorado

The alternatives study evaluated a variety of project elements including non-structural and operational opportunities new reservoir sites enlargement of existing reservoirs and ground water aquifer storage Storage on both the East and West Slope of the Continental Divide was evaluated Technical environmental and economic screening criteria were used to identify alternatives capable of meeting the project purpose and need

Alternatives identified to have the potential to meet the project purpose and the needs of the Firming Project Participants include several new reservoir sites listed below and shown in the Alternative Locations Map

Reservoir Site Storage in acre-feet Chimney Hollow 44500-110000 Little Thompson 110000 Cactus Hill 112000 Rawhide 13000 Jasper 36500-79000

A combination of new reservoirs may be necessary to meet the project purpose and need In addition refinements in C-BT system operations may be used to enhance the yield of new reservoir storage These refinements include options for storage of C-BT water in a new Windy Gap Firming Reservoir and borrowing storage from the C-BT Project

Reclamation with input from federal state and local government agencies and the public will be evaluating a range of reasonable alternatives for the proposed Windy Gap Firming Project The public will have opportunities throughout the scoping process and preparation of the EIS to comment on alternatives or suggest new alternatives


Several questions regarding the proposed project and the alternatives have been identified and would be considered in the EIS as listed below Input from the public and other federal state and local agencies will help further define issues of concern




What are the impacts to aquatic resources includingendangered Colorado River fish

How would water quality on the west and east slope beaffected




Are there any significant cultural resources located withinthe project area

How to Get Involved Reclamation and the NCWCD encourage your participation in the EIS public process Get involved by attending meetings and submitting comments Two meetings will be held for your convenience

July 22 2003 July 23 2003 600 - 900 PM 600 - 900 PM SolVista Golf and Ski Ranch McKee Conference Center (2 miles south of Granby 2000 Boise Avenue Colorado on Highway 40) Loveland Colorado

Your comments will be considered in the preparation of the EIS Please mail e-mail or fax comments on the alternatives or other issues pertaining to the proposed project to the attention of Will Tully at the Bureau of Reclamation by September 5 2003

Mail Bureau of Reclamation Eastern Colorado Area Office 11056 W County Road 18E Loveland CO 80537


Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216

During the 1960s six entities (the cities of BoulderGreeley Longmont Loveland and Fort Collins and theTown of Estes Park) within northeastern Colorado determined that additional water supplies were needed tomeet their projected municipal demands The MunicipalSubdistrict of the Northern Colorado Water ConservancyDistrict (Subdistrict) consisting of the incorporated areasof the six entities was formed to develop the Windy GapProject (Project) Subsequently the Platte River PowerAuthority acquired all of the City of Fort Collins allotment contracts as well as one-half of the City ofLoveland and the Town of Estes Park contracts TheSubdistrict proposed developing what is now the WindyGap Project using Colorado-Big Thompson Project (C-BT) facilities to store and convey Windy Gap Projectwater

In 1981 the Bureau of Reclamation completed anEnvironmental Impact Statement on the effects of using C-BT project facilities for the storage carriage and delivery of Windy Gap Project water ReclamationsRecord of Decision allowed the conveyance through C-BT Project facilities of an average of about 56000acre-feet of Windy Gap water annually from the ColoradoRiver with maximum diversions limited to 93300 acre-feet in any one year Average annual deliveries to theSubdistrict were estimated to be about 48000 acre-feetfollowing conveyance and evaporation losses and allocations to the Middle Park Water Conservancy DistrictReclamation the Subdistrict and the Northern ColoradoWater Conservancy District (NCWCD) then entered into acontract for the storage carriage and delivery of WindyGap Project water in C-BT Project facilities Constructionof the Windy Gap Project reservoir pipeline and pumpingfacility was completed in 1985

The existing Windy Gap Project diverts water from theColorado River at the confluence of the Colorado andFraser rivers and pumps this water into the C-BT systemfor delivery to Windy Gap Project allotees (see figure)Twelve entities currently own the 480 units of water available in the Windy Gap Project Each unit is 1480thof the Subdistrict water supply annually made available bythe Board of Directors of the Subdistrict Average annualyield per unit since completion of construction in 1985 hasbeen approximately 17 acre-feetunit compared to the original estimate of 100 acre-feetunit




This scoping announcement provides information about the proposed development of a project to improve thereliability of water deliveries from the existing Windy Gap Project The Windy Gap Firming Project includesnine entities within the Municipal Subdistrict of the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District Becausethe project would require connection with Colorado-Big Thompson facilities owned by the Bureau ofReclamation an Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared This announcement provides informationon the proposed project alternatives issues and how to get involved


Background

Scoping AnnouncementJuly 2003

For More Information If you have questions or concerns about the scoping process please feel free to contact Kara Lamb at Reclamation Please also contact Kara for additional copies of this flyer or for directions to the scoping meeting locations

Phone (970) 962-4326


To obtain additional information on the NEPA process please visit Reclamationrsquos website at wwwgpusbrgov click on the link for ldquoEnvironmental Activitiesrdquo To obtain more information on the proposed Windy Gap Firming Project please visit wwwncwcdorg


The Bureau of Reclamation and the Municipal Subdistrict of the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District will hold two public open house meetings to solicit comments on the scope of the EIS You are invited to attend these meetings to learn more about the project and help identify issues and alternatives The meetings will be held from 6 to 9 PM on July 22 2003 in Granby Colorado and on July 23 2003 in Loveland Colorado

Bureau of Reclamation 11056 W County Road 18E Loveland CO 80537-9711



For More InformationIf you have questions or concerns about the scoping process please feel free to contact Kara Lamb at ReclamationPlease also contact Kara for additional copies of this flyer or for directions to the scoping meeting locations

Phone (970) 962-4326


To obtain additional information on the NEPA process visit Reclamationrsquos website at wwwgpusbrgov click on thelink for ldquoEnvironmental Activitiesrdquo To obtain more information on the proposed Windy Gap Firming Project visitwwwncwcdorg

The Bureau of Reclamation and the Municipal Subdistrict of the Northern ColoradoWater Conservancy District will hold three public open house meetings to solicit comments on the scope of the EIS You are invited to attend these meetings to learnmore about the project and help identify issues and alternatives The meetings will beheld from 630 to 900 PM on September 30 2003 in Granby Colorado on October 1in Loveland Colorado and on October 2 2003 in Lyons Colorado

Scoping Announcement September 2003


Background

During the 1960s six entities (the cities of Boulder Fort Collins Greeley Longmont Loveland and the Town of Estes Park) in northeastern Colorado determined that addi-tional water supplies were needed to meet their projected municipal demands The Municipal Subdistrict of the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (Subdistrict) consisting of the incorporated areas of the six entities was formed in 1970 to develop the Windy Gap Project Subsequently the Platte River Power Authority acquired all of the City of Fort Collins allotment contracts as well as one-half of the City of Loveland and the Town of Estes Park contracts The goal of the original Windy Gap Project was to divert and convey water through Colorado-Big Thompson Project (C-BT) facilities prior to delivery to Windy Gap Project allotees for storage and ultimate use

In 1981 Reclamation completed an environmental impact statement (EIS) on the effects of using C-BT project facili-ties for the storage carriage and delivery of Windy Gap Project water The Record of Decision for that EIS allowed Reclamation to negotiate a contract with the Subdistrict for the conveyance through C-BT Project facilities of an average of about 56000 acre-feet of Windy Gap Project water annually from the Colorado River with maximum diversions limited to 93300 acre-feet in any 1 year Reclamation the Subdistrict and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (District) then entered into a contract for the storage carriage and delivery of Windy Gap Project water in C-BT facilities Construction of the Windy Gap Project reservoir pipeline and pumping facility was completed in 1985

After conveyance and evaporation losses and allocations to the Middle Park Water Conservancy District the average annual deliveries to the allotees of the Windy Gap Project were estimated to be about 48000 acre-feet Each unit (100 acre-feetunit) of Windy Gap water is 1480th of the


annual yield of the Windy Gap Project Average annual yield per unit since completion of construction has been approximately 17 acre-feetunit There are several reasons for this low yield

During the early years after construction not all of the Project allotees needed their full allocation of water from the Project They had not grown into the full demand for which the Project was developed and diversions were less than allowed

The Windy Gap Project cannot divert water every year because more senior water rights upstream and down-stream have a higher priority to divert water

Under the contract between the Subdistrict the District and Reclamation water conveyed and stored for the C-BT Project has priority over water conveyed and stored for the Windy Gap Project In years when the C-BT system is full there is no conveyance or storage capacity in the C-BT system for Windy Gap Project water In years when Windy Gap Project water is stored in the C-BT system Windy Gap Project water is sometimes spilled from the system to make room for C-BT Project water

The 2003 Alternatives Report evaluated a variety of projectelements including non-structural and operational opportuni-ties new reservoir sites enlargement of existing reservoirsand ground water aquifer storage Storage on both the Eastand West Slope of the Continental Divide was evaluatedTechnical environmental and economic screening criteriawere used to identify and compare alternatives capable ofmeeting the project purpose and need A combination ofalternatives may be necessary to meet the project purposeand need In addition C-BT system operations may berefined to enhance the yield of new reservoir storage Theserefinements might include options for storage of C-BTProject water in a new Firming Project reservoir or borrow-ing storage from the C-BT Project The Firming ProjectParticipants varying needs and timing of those needs couldallow the proposed project to be constructed in stagesdepending on the alternative configuration

A full range of reasonable alternatives will be evaluated inthe EIS These alternatives will include No Action and oth-ers that will meet the stated purpose and need for theFirming Project The EIS will evaluate potential environ-mental impacts of specific alternatives together with engi-neering and socioeconomic considerations A preferredalternative has not been identified at this time Reclamationwith input from Federal State and local government agencies and the public will evaluate the alternatives

The Subdistrict in cooperation with Reclamation heldinformational meetings on the proposed project in Granbyon July 22 2003 and in Loveland on July 23 2003 Publicinput from these meetings has helped to identify issues Thefollowing issues have been tentatively identified for analysisin the EIS This list is preliminary and is intended to facilitate public comment on the scope of this EIS


How would water quality on the West and East Slope be affected

How would the proposed project affect operation of the C-BT Project and the existing Windy Gap Project



What are the effects to existing property owners




Reclamation and the Subdistrict encourage your participa-tion in the EIS public process by attending meetings andsubmitting comments Three open houses will be held foryour convenience

September 30 2003Inn at Silver CreekGranby Colorado(2 miles south of Granby off Highway 40)

All of the open house meetings will be held from 630 to900 PM with a brief presentation at 700 PM There willbe an opportunity to make written or verbal comments onthe proposed project If you cannot attend the meetingsplease send comments on the alternatives or other issuespertaining to the proposed project to the attention of WillTully by November 3 2003



Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216

Preliminary Identification of Environmental Issues

How to Get Involved

October 1 2003McKee Conference Center2000 North Boise AvenueLoveland Colorado

October 2 2003Lyons Elementary School338 High StreetLyons Colorado

Alternatives identified to have the potential to meet theproject purpose and the needs of the Firming ProjectParticipants include several new reservoir sites listed below and shown in the Alternative Locations Map



36500-79000Jasper

For these reasons nine of the Windy Gap Project allotees (the cities of Broomfield Greeley Longmont Louisville and Loveland the Towns of Erie and Superior the Central Weld County District and the Platter River Power Authority) referred to collectively as the Firming Project Participants have requested that the Subdistrict investigate and implement measures to cooperatively enhance or improve the reliability of (or to firm) their Windy Gap Project units The service area boundaries for the Firming Project Participants are shown in the Figure to the right


The purpose of the proposed Firming Project is to maximize the use of existing water rights associated with the Windy Gap Project by improving the delivery and reliability of the existing Windy Gap Project water supply For some Firming Project Participants the proposed project does not firm all of their Windy Gap Project units and not all of the owners of Windy Gap Project water are seeking to firm their units Thus only a portion of the 48000 acre-feet of Windy Gap Project water would be firmed by the proposed action

The specific purpose of the project is to provide an annual delivery of up to 30000 acre-feet of water by 2008 depending on the identified needs of the Firming Project Participants Each Firming Project Participant owns varying amounts of Windy Gap Project water and each Firming Project Participant has determined its firm water supply needs from the Windy Gap Project and the timing of those needs For some of the Firming Project Participants an increased water supply is needed immediately to meet current demands other Participants needs are expected to increase over the next several years creating a foreseeable future need for their Windy Gap Project water

The Firming Project is a non-Federal project It is proposed to be constructed and operated by the Subdistrict Federal actions related to the proposed project may include decisions on permitting the connection of Firming Project facilities to C-BT facilities granting of right-of-way permits andor easements across Federal lands and issuance of a Federal Clean Water Act Section 404 permit


Over the past several years the Subdistrict has investigated a wide range of alternative actions with the potential to meet the needs of the Firming Project Participants These investi-gations concluded with an Alternative Plan Formulation Report that was finalized in 2003 The primary goals in developing alternatives for the proposed project were

To identify a cooperative regional project that could be integrated with existing water delivery systems

To allow maximum use of the existing Windy Gap Project diversion pumping and pipeline facilities and water rights

To provide the Firming Project Participants a consistent annual yield of up to 30000 acre-feet approximately 110000 acre-feet of new storage is needed specifically for Windy Gap Project water This is approxi-mately the size of the existing Carter Lake southwest of Loveland Colorado

For these reasons nine of the Windy Gap Project allotees(the cities of Broomfield Greeley Longmont Louisville andLoveland the Towns of Erie and Superior the Central WeldCounty District and the Platter River Power Authority)referred to collectively as the Firming Project Participantshave requested that the Subdistrict investigate and implementmeasures to cooperatively enhance or improve the reliabilityof (or to firm) their Windy Gap Project units The servicearea boundaries for the Firming Project Participants areshown in the Figure to the right

The purpose of the proposed Firming Project is to maximizethe use of existing water rights associated with the WindyGap Project by improving the delivery and reliability of theexisting Windy Gap Project water supply For some FirmingProject Participants the proposed project does not firm all oftheir Windy Gap Project units and not all of the owners ofWindy Gap Project water are seeking to firm their unitsThus only a portion of the 48000 acre-feet of Windy GapProject water would be firmed by the proposed action

The specific purpose of the project is to provide an annualdelivery of up to 30000 acre-feet of water by 2008 depending on the identified needs of the Firming Project Participants Each Firming Project Participant owns varyingamounts of Windy Gap Project water and each FirmingProject Participant has determined its firm water supplyneeds from the Windy Gap Project and the timing of thoseneeds For some of the Firming Project Participants anincreased water supply is needed immediately to meet current demands other Participants needs are expected toincrease over the next several years creating a foreseeablefuture need for their Windy Gap Project water

The Firming Project is a non-Federal project It is proposedto be constructed and operated by the Subdistrict Federalactions related to the proposed project may include decisionson permitting the connection of Firming Project facilities toC-BT facilities granting of right-of-way permits andor easements across Federal lands and issuance of a FederalClean Water Act Section 404 permit

Over the past several years the Subdistrict has investigated a wide range of alternative actions with the potential to meetthe needs of the Firming Project Participants These investi-gations concluded with an Alternative Plan FormulationReport that was finalized in 2003 The primary goals indeveloping alternatives for the proposed project were


To allow maximum use of the existingWindy Gap Project diversion pumping and pipeline facilities and water rights

To provide the Firming Project Participantsa consistent annual yield of up to 30000acre-feet approximately 110000 acre-feetof new storage is needed specifically forWindy Gap Project water This is approxi-mately the size of the existing Carter Lakesouthwest of Loveland Colorado



The 2003 Alternatives Report evaluated a variety of project elements including non-structural and operational opportuni-ties new reservoir sites enlargement of existing reservoirs and ground water aquifer storage Storage on both the East and West Slope of the Continental Divide was evaluated Technical environmental and economic screening criteria were used to identify and compare alternatives capable of meeting the project purpose and need A combination of alternatives may be necessary to meet the project purpose and need In addition C-BT system operations may be refined to enhance the yield of new reservoir storage These refinements might include options for storage of C-BT Project water in a new Firming Project reservoir or borrow-ing storage from the C-BT Project The Firming Project Participants varying needs and timing of those needs could allow the proposed project to be constructed in stages depending on the alternative configuration

A full range of reasonable alternatives will be evaluated in the EIS These alternatives will include No Action and oth-ers that will meet the stated purpose and need for the Firming Project The EIS will evaluate potential environ-mental impacts of specific alternatives together with engi-neering and socioeconomic considerations A preferred alternative has not been identified at this time Reclamation with input from Federal State and local government agencies and the public will evaluate the alternatives




How to Get Involved

The Subdistrict in cooperation with Reclamation held informational meetings on the proposed project in Granby on July 22 2003 and in Loveland on July 23 2003 Public input from these meetings has helped to identify issues The following issues have been tentatively identified for analysis in the EIS This list is preliminary and is intended to facilitate public comment on the scope of this EIS










Reclamation and the Subdistrict encourage your participa-tion in the EIS public process by attending meetings and submitting comments Three open houses will be held for your convenience

September 30 2003 Inn at Silver Creek Granby Colorado (2 miles south of Granby off Highway 40)

October 1 2003 October 2 2003 McKee Conference Center Lyons Elementary School 2000 North Boise Avenue 338 High Street Loveland Colorado Lyons Colorado

All of the open house meetings will be held from 630 to 900 PM with a brief presentation at 700 PM There will be an opportunity to make written or verbal comments on the proposed project If you cannot attend the meetings please send comments on the alternatives or other issues pertaining to the proposed project to the attention of Will Tully by November 3 2003



Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216

During the 1960s six entities (the cities of Boulder FortCollins Greeley Longmont Loveland and the Town ofEstes Park) in northeastern Colorado determined that addi-tional water supplies were needed to meet their projectedmunicipal demands The Municipal Subdistrict of theNorthern Colorado Water Conservancy District(Subdistrict) consisting of the incorporated areas of the sixentities was formed in 1970 to develop the Windy GapProject Subsequently the Platte River Power Authorityacquired all of the City of Fort Collins allotment contractsas well as one-half of the City of Loveland and the Townof Estes Park contracts The goal of the original WindyGap Project was to divert and convey water throughColorado-Big Thompson Project (C-BT) facilities prior to delivery to Windy Gap Project allotees for storage and ultimate use

In 1981 Reclamation completed an environmental impactstatement (EIS) on the effects of using C-BT project facili-ties for the storage carriage and delivery of Windy GapProject water The Record of Decision for that EISallowed Reclamation to negotiate a contract with theSubdistrict for the conveyance through C-BT Project facilities of an average of about 56000 acre-feet of WindyGap Project water annually from the Colorado River withmaximum diversions limited to 93300 acre-feet in any 1year Reclamation the Subdistrict and the NorthernColorado Water Conservancy District (District) thenentered into a contract for the storage carriage and delivery of Windy Gap Project water in C-BT facilitiesConstruction of the Windy Gap Project reservoir pipelineand pumping facility was completed in 1985

After conveyance and evaporation losses and allocations tothe Middle Park Water Conservancy District the averageannual deliveries to the allotees of the Windy Gap Projectwere estimated to be about 48000 acre-feet Each unit(100 acre-feetunit) of Windy Gap water is 1480th of the

annual yield of the Windy Gap Project Average annualyield per unit since completion of construction has beenapproximately 17 acre-feetunit There are several reasonsfor this low yield

During the early years after construction not all of theProject allotees needed their full allocation of water fromthe Project They had not grown into the full demand forwhich the Project was developed and diversions were lessthan allowed

The Windy Gap Project cannot divert water every yearbecause more senior water rights upstream and down-stream have a higher priority to divert water

Under the contract between the Subdistrict the Districtand Reclamation water conveyed and stored for the C-BTProject has priority over water conveyed and stored for theWindy Gap Project In years when the C-BT system isfull there is no conveyance or storage capacity in the C-BT system for Windy Gap Project water In years whenWindy Gap Project water is stored in the C-BT systemWindy Gap Project water is sometimes spilled from thesystem to make room for C-BT Project water



Background

Scoping AnnouncementSeptember 2003


Phone (970) 962-4326


To obtain additional information on the NEPA process visit Reclamationrsquos website at wwwgpusbrgov click on the link for ldquoEnvironmental Activitiesrdquo To obtain more information on the proposed Windy Gap Firming Project visit wwwncwcdorg


The Bureau of Reclamation and the Municipal Subdistrict of the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District will hold three public open house meetings to solicit comments on the scope of the EIS You are invited to attend these meetings to learn more about the project and help identify issues and alternatives The meetings will be held from 630 to 900 PM on September 30 2003 in Granby Colorado on October 1 in Loveland Colorado and on October 2 2003 in Lyons Colorado


For immediate release September 26 2003

Windy Gap Alternatives to be Reviewed by Public

The Bureau of Reclamation will host three open houses for the public to review and comment on proposed alternatives for the Windy Gap Firming Project The open houses will be held on September 30 in Granby CO October 1 in Loveland CO and October 2 in Lyons CO

The purpose of the open houses is to provide the public an opportunity to identify issues concerns and ideas on the proposed Windy Gap Firming Project The proposed project would make a portion of the existing Windy Gap Project water supply more reliable for its participants

Reclamation is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed Project and encourages public participation and comment on associated project alternatives and issues The public can submit comments for the EIS through November 7 2003 to the Bureau of Reclamation Attention Will Tully 11056 West County Road 18E Loveland Colorado 80537 or e-mail wtullygpusbrgov

The open houses will be held from 630 to 900 pm with a brief presentation at 700 pm at the following locations

Tuesday September 30 Wednesday October 1 Inn at Silver Creek Aspen Room McKee Conference Center Hwy 40 Coors Room 2 miles South of Granby CO 2000 N Boise Ave

Loveland CO

Thursday October 2 Lyons Elementary School 338 High Street

Lyons CO

For more information on the Windy Gap Firming Projectrsquos proposed alternatives please contact the Subdistrictrsquos Nicole Seltzer at (970) 622-2277 For more information on the public open houses and scoping process please contact Reclamationrsquos Kara Lamb at (970) 962-4326 or e-mail klambgpusbrgov

Sample Public Meeting Notice

Windy Gap Firming ProjectWindy Gap Firming ProjectWindy Gap Firming ProjectWindy Gap Firming Project

PublicPublicPublicPublic ScScScScooooppppinginginging MeMeMeMeeeeettttingingingingss ss

The Bureau of Reclamation will host three public scoping meetings to gather input on the proposed Windy Gap Firming Project This Project is an effort to improve the reliability of the existing Windy Gap Project water supply by providing new storage facilities that would connect to Reclamationrsquos existing Colorado-Big Thompson Project facilities

Project participants are members of the Municipal Subdistrict of the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District and include the cities of Broomfield Greeley Longmont Louisville and Loveland the towns of Erie and Superior the Central Weld County Water District and the Platte River Power Authority

Reclamation is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement and encourages public participation and comment on the alternatives and issues associated with the proposed Project The deadline for written comments on the issues and alternatives is November 7 2003 Comments should be mailed to Wil Tully USBR 11056 West County Road 18E Loveland Colorado 80537 or emailed to wtullygpusbrgov To learn more about the Windy Gap Firming Project please attend one of the following meetings to be held from 630 to 830 PM at the following locations

Tuesday September 30 Wednesday October 1 Inn at Silver Creek Aspen Room McKee Conference Center Coors Room

Hwy 40 2 mi South of Granby CO 2000 N Boise Ave Loveland CO

Thursday October 2 Lyons Elementary School 338 High Street Lyons CO

For more information or a copy of the scoping announcement contact Kara Lamb Bureau of Reclamation

klambgpusbrgov (970) 962-4326



The Bureau of Reclamation and the Municipal Subdistrict of the Northern ColoradoWater Conservancy District will hold two public open house meetings to solicit comments on the scope of the EIS You are invited to attend these meetings to learnmore about the project and help identify issues and alternatives The meetings willbe held from 6 to 9 PM on July 22 2003 in Granby Colorado and on July 23 2003in Loveland Colorado

If you have questions or concerns about the scoping process please feel free to contact Kara Lamb at ReclamationPlease also contact Kara for additional copies of this flyer or for directions to the scoping meeting locations

Phone (970) 962-4326


To obtain additional information on the NEPA process please visit Reclamationrsquos website at wwwgpusbrgov click onthe link for ldquoEnvironmental Activitiesrdquo To obtain more information on the proposed Windy Gap Firming Project pleasevisit wwwncwcdorg

For More Information

Scoping Announcement July 2003


Background During the 1960s six entities (the cities of Boulder Greeley Longmont Loveland and Fort Collins and the Town of Estes Park) within northeastern Colorado determined that additional water supplies were needed to meet their projected municipal demands The Municipal Subdistrict of the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (Subdistrict) consisting of the incorporated areas of the six entities was formed to develop the Windy Gap Project (Project) Subsequently the Platte River Power Authority acquired all of the City of Fort Collins allotment contracts as well as one-half of the City of Loveland and the Town of Estes Park contracts The Subdistrict proposed developing what is now the Windy Gap Project using Colorado-Big Thompson Project (C-BT) facilities to store and convey Windy Gap Project water

In 1981 the Bureau of Reclamation completed an Environmental Impact Statement on the effects of using C-BT project facilities for the storage carriage and delivery of Windy Gap Project water Reclamations Record of Decision allowed the conveyance through C-BT Project facilities of an average of about 56000 acre-feet of Windy Gap water annually from the Colorado River with maximum diversions limited to 93300 acre-feet in any one year Average annual deliveries to the Subdistrict were estimated to be about 48000 acre-feet following conveyance and evaporation losses and allocations to the Middle Park Water Conservancy District Reclamation the Subdistrict and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (NCWCD) then entered into a contract for the storage carriage and delivery of Windy Gap Project water in C-BT Project facilities Construction of the Windy Gap Project reservoir pipeline and pumping facility was completed in 1985


The existing Windy Gap Project diverts water from the Colorado River at the confluence of the Colorado and Fraser rivers and pumps this water into the C-BT system for delivery to Windy Gap Project allotees (see figure) Twelve entities currently own the 480 units of water available in the Windy Gap Project Each unit is 1480th of the Subdistrict water supply annually made available by the Board of Directors of the Subdistrict Average annual yield per unit since completion of construction in 1985 has been approximately 17 acre-feetunit compared to the original estimate of 100 acre-feetunit























Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216



How to Get Involved



36500-79000Jasper










































Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216









Background



Phone (970) 962-4326









Phone (970) 962-4326






Background


























Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216


How to Get Involved






36500-79000Jasper


























How to Get Involved

















Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216










Background



Phone (970) 962-4326













Loveland CO


Lyons CO
































Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216



How to Get Involved



36500-79000Jasper










































Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216









Background



Phone (970) 962-4326









Phone (970) 962-4326






Background


























Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216


How to Get Involved






36500-79000Jasper


























How to Get Involved

















Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216










Background



Phone (970) 962-4326













Loveland CO


Lyons CO












































Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216









Background



Phone (970) 962-4326









Phone (970) 962-4326






Background


























Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216


How to Get Involved






36500-79000Jasper


























How to Get Involved

















Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216










Background



Phone (970) 962-4326













Loveland CO


Lyons CO





















Background



Phone (970) 962-4326









Phone (970) 962-4326






Background


























Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216


How to Get Involved






36500-79000Jasper


























How to Get Involved

















Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216










Background



Phone (970) 962-4326













Loveland CO


Lyons CO
















Phone (970) 962-4326






Background


























Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216


How to Get Involved






36500-79000Jasper


























How to Get Involved

















Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216










Background



Phone (970) 962-4326













Loveland CO


Lyons CO






























Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216


How to Get Involved






36500-79000Jasper


























How to Get Involved

















Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216










Background



Phone (970) 962-4326













Loveland CO


Lyons CO




























How to Get Involved

















Fax (970) 663-3212 or (970) 962-4216










Background



Phone (970) 962-4326













Loveland CO


Lyons CO






















Background



Phone (970) 962-4326













Loveland CO


Lyons CO




















Loveland CO


Lyons CO
























Documents

AAAAPPPPENDIXENDIX ENDIXENDIX BB BB ... · SolVista Golf and Ski Ranch (2 miles south of Granby, Colorado on Highway 40) July 23, 2003 6:00 - 9:00 P.M. McKee Conference Center 2000