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09~~' Water and Storage Needs Assessment SECWCD/Assessment Enterprise December 10, 1998 Various combinations of these options, and potentially other options, should be evaluated in greater detail to identify a preferred plan and several alternatives for evaluation during compliance with requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Storage costs are estimated to range from $150 per af (Turquoise Enlargement) to $3,000 per af (Gravel Lakes Storage). Depending on how the alternative storage options are combined, total costs to develop 173,000 af of additional storage could range from $41 to $199 million. The lower cost is heavily dependent on whether "reoperation" can be technically and legally accomplished or whether all of the storage must be developed in new or enlarged reservoirs. In summary, municipal water demands, primarily developing in the Fountain Valley area (Colorado Springs, Fountain Security, Widefield, and Stratrnoor Hills) of the District, will require development of additional water storage capacity. Agricultural water supply deficits are expected to occur up to 59,000 af(or more) as municipal demands on Fry-Ark Project water and other water resources in the Basin increase over time. This means that dedicated storage for the Winter Water Storage Program will be increasingly important for agricultural water users. Coupled with dedicated storage for the Winter Water Program and other potential partners, the storage need for District entities is estimated to be 155,000 af. This need will begin to develop over the next 10 to 20 years. Therefore, studies should be initiated in the near future to further evaluate alternative storage options in tenns of technical and environmental performance. Reoperation of Fry-Ark Project storage is likely to be an important element of an overall water management strategy. Coupled with possibilities for enlarging Project reservoirs, this means that detailed discussions with the Bureau of Reclamation should be undertaken soon, in order to fully assess the feasibility, costs, NEPA compliance requirements, and institutional/legal issues associated with these options. Public Comments: The Assessment Project was conducted with opportunities for public input. The SSC meetings were open to the public and three public meetings were held (Buena Vista, LaJunta, and Leadville) to present the draft Report. The public expressed concerns about additional water development, particularly in the Upper Basin, in the absence of more-intensive conservation in the municipal sector. Concems also were expressed about the environmental and social impacts of additional water development and the need for more-detailed environmental and social impact evaluations. Comments from the public are acknowledged in the final report for the Assessment Project. These comments will be considered during subsequent phases of investigation. Recommendations: Based on studies for the Water and Storage Needs Assessment Project, additional water development will be required to meet the year 2040 needs of District water supply entities. In order to initiate this development, the following actions are recommended: ~ GEl Consultants, Inc. -VI- 91411\FinaUITEXT-A.WPD