WSP08712

• File Number: 8149.700
• Description: Miscellaneous Small Projects and Project Studies - Homestake Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 4/25/1974
• Author: Black and Veatch
• Title: Environmental Impact Report - Homestake Water Collection System Extension for Aurora and Colorado Springs with related documents Volume I
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: EIS

(2) Clearance of 444 acres of forest cover and other vegetation
for project components, resulting in habitat loss and some animal
kill.

(3) Inundation of Homestake, Hornsilver, and Blodgett Camp-
grounds for the Iron Mountain Reservoir, resulting in the loss of
24 camping units.

(4) Reduction of 275 acres of privately owned lands within the
Project Area, primarily for reservoir construction.

(5) Reduction of 288 acres of wet meadowlands due to reser.
voir construction on Homestake Creek and water diversion on
Fall and Cross Creeks, resulting in habitat destruction and some
loss of indigenous. marsh wildlife.

(6) Inundation of 6.2 miles of Homestake Creek due to reser-
voir construction.

Il} Reduction of 82,060 acre-feet of water per annum on the
western slope.

(8) Reduction in downstream flow along 26.4 miles of sustain-
ed streambeds in the Project Area and the Eagle River adjacent
to the Project Area.

(9) Increase in salinity levels on the Lower Colorado River of 6
ppm due to reduction in downstream flow.

(10) Increased traffic along Highway 24 and along access roads
into the Project Area during the construction period due to an
influx of approximately 600 construction workers.

(11) Relocation of 2.7 miles of Highway 24.

(12) Installation of 2.5 miles of new power transmission lines.

(13) Installation of 2.4 miles of new telephone line.

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(14) Displacement and destruction of an indeterminate
of fish and other wildlife during the construction period.

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(15) Increased noise level due to blasting and tunneling during
the construction period.

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(16) I ncreased level of dust in the air due to construction
activities.

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(17) Increased potential for forest fires due to construction
activity.

( 18) I ncreased generation of litter during the construction
period.

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(19) Increased pressure for community services (education,
police, utilities, etc.) in the communities of Minturn, Red Cliff,
Gilman, and Vail during the construction period, followed by a
surplus of facilities and skilled services when construction is
completed.

(20) Increased potential for rapid urbanization and increased
population growth in the Cities of Aurora and Colorado Springs
with attendant 5Ocio.economic prob lems and costs.

(21) Power generation of an additional 53,000,000 kWh per
year for the operation of required pumping. Generation
would probably be by a coal-fired steam plant which would
result in increased air pollution near the generating site, increased
alteration of land features in the area from which the coal is
mined, and possible tightening of the supply of electrical energy
in the region.

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Plan F-l - Tunnels, Pipelines, Reservoir, and Pumping

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(1) Destruction of 743 acres of elk and deer winter game range
along Homestake Creek for construction of project components.

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