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<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />003173 <br /> <br />2. PROPOSED ACTION AND AL TERNA TIVES <br /> <br />All Federal agencies that manage public land and/or facilities are mandated by the <br />National Environmental Policy Act to evaluate alternative courses of action to proposed Federal <br />actions so that decisions are made in the best interests of the public. Therefore, in considering <br />the proposed action, two additional alternatives were considered: <br /> <br />1.) Alternative No. I: No action, that is, the Corps will retain management of all designated <br />Recreation Areas at the John Martin Project and forsees no further development of <br />recreational facilities at this time. <br /> <br />2.) Alternative No.2: Colorado State Parks Proposal. Proceed with the lease agreement that <br />would allow further development of recreational facilities at the Lake Hasty, Sandstone, <br />and Overlook Recreation Areas, and transfer management of these areas and reservoir <br />surface water to Colorado State Parks. Colorado Division of Wildlife and Colorado State <br />Parks will work together to evaluate management needs as necessary to minimize <br />potential conflicts between the various user groups and make decisions, as necessary and <br />prudent, regarding regulations and budget priorities as needs dictate. <br /> <br />3.) Alternative No.3: South Beach Alternative: Same as Alternative 2 with the addition that <br />the Colorado Department of Natural Resources will be responsible for furnishing garbage <br />collection, portable sanitation, and law enforcement on the South Beach area leased by <br />them from the Corps. No user fees will be charged to South Beach users. <br /> <br />The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District, and the State of Colorado, <br />Office of the Governor, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Colorado State Parks, <br />signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), dated May 15,2000, agreeing "...in principal <br />to work together in a cooperative and coordinated effort to improve the operations and <br />management of the natural resources and recreational development of John Martin Reservoir for <br />the greater benefit and enjoyment of the general public" (see MOV; Appendix A). Pending this <br />environmental review and if appropriate, the signing of a Finding of No Significant Impact, the <br />Colorado State Parks would be upheld to meet the standards of Federal stewardship of public <br />lands, as per the lease agreement (The lease agreement will not be signed or be in effect until <br />after the environmental review and a Finding of No Significant Impact [FONS!], if appropriate, <br />are completed). <br /> <br />The planning, coordination, and consultation necessary to prepare for review of the <br />proposed lease agreement considers a balanced approach to safe and efficient project <br />implementation; social, economic, and environmental impacts of the proposed action; and <br />environmental resource protection goals. The proposed changes in recreation area development <br />and management do not alter, enhance, or restrict the existing river channel or reservoir storage. <br />I'The Colorado State Parks' proposal to develop and assume management of recreation areas at <br />, John Martin Dam and Reservoir Project follows all Federal, State, and local regulations and <br />guidelines and will not affect conservation pool water. <br /> <br />6 <br />