WSP09389

• File Number: 8111
• Description: Arkansas River Compact Administration
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 9/21/2001
• Author: Corps of Engineers
• Title: Finding-No Significant Impact - Final EIS - John Martin Dam-Reservoir Project - Lease Agreement-Transfer Management of Recreation Areas-Surface Water - Corps of Engineers to CO State Parks
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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033178

responsibilities for John Martin Dam and the management of flood control and conservation
water releases.

2.1.2 Alternative No.2: Colorado State Parks Proposal: Proceed with the lease agreement that
would allow further development of recreational facilities at the Lake Hasty, Sandstone,
and Overlook Recreation Areas, and transfer management of these areas and reservoir
surface water to Colorado State Parks. Colorado Division of Wildlife and Colorado State
Parks will work together to evaluate management needs as necessary to minimize
potential conflicts between the various user groups and make decisions, as necessary and
prudent, regarding regulations and budget priorities as needs dictate.

Colorado State Parks has proposed to assume the management of the Sandstone and
Overlook Recreation Areas (both of which are located upstream of John Martin Dam west to the
waterfowl closure line and on the north shore of the reservoir), the Lake Hasty Recreation Area
located below the dam, and the reservoir's surface waters in their entirety, dependent upon
reservoir storage levels (Figure 2 and Colorado State Parks preliminary plan drawings identified
as Figures 3 and 4).

Preliminary State Parks' plans call for two construction phases that provide new facilities
and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure (Table 2). Ground breaking for components of Phase
I construction would commence on or about August 1,2001, with an effective date for Colorado
State Parks' management of the leased areas of October 1,2001. Both the State Parks' fees and
the construction of the remaining Phase I components would commence at that time. Proposed
Phase II construction would be completed as funding becomes available. Funding for the Phase I
activities will come from Colorado's Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund and Colorado Lottery
proceeds. The proposed lease agreement would be for a term of 25 years and would be
renewable. A similar lease agreement is already in place between the Corps of Engineers,
Albuquerque District, and Colorado State Parks for the management of recreation areas at the
Corps' (Albuquerque District) Trinidad Lake Project near Trinidad, Colorado and at the Corps of
Engineers' (Omaha District) Cherry Creek and Chatfield Projects near Denver, Colorado.

Preliminary State Parks' Phase I plans provide for a new visitor center with a meeting
room and interpretative displays to be located near the entrance to the project (Figure 4). At the
existing Lake Hasty Recreation Area below the dam (Figures 2 and 3), preliminary Phase I plans
will provide for 35 new campsites and upgrades to the 65 existing campsites, new day-use picnic
areas, and group use areas (shelters). At Lake Hasty, new construction would also provide for a
new park entry station, a camper services building, a recreational vehicle dump station, a
maintenance building and compound, a new potable water distribution system, and upgrades to
the existing waste water treatment facility. Realignment of certain roadways both above and
below the darn would enhance public safety and provide for control of vehicular movement and
efficient traffic flow. No changes would be made to the road across the John Martin Dam crest
or to Bent County Road 25.75 that travels below the dam through the Lake Hasty Recreation
Area to the community ofCaddoa. Both the crest road and Bent County Road 25_75 will remain
open to public use at no cost.

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