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<br />-2- <br /> <br />Project operations and with national policies on flood plain management as a minimum. The <br />proposed development may place no undue limitation on the Congressionally authorized <br />operation of the project and public safety is paramount. The Corps has the responsibility to <br />provide leadership to reduce flood damages and to minimize the effect of floods on human <br />safety, health, and welfare. In the event a proposed development is incompatible with these <br />mandates, the Corps shall withhold such properties from out grant or conveyance to non-Federal <br />public or private parties. The guidance also states that I, as District Engineer, cannot approve <br />structures for human habitation on the land, that no structures for non-habitation purposes shall <br />be constructed or maintained on the land except as may be approved in writing by the Corps, and <br />that no excavation shall be conducted or landfill placed without Corps approval. <br /> <br />Recreation is a very important part ofthe Cherry Creek Project. The enjoyment of boating, <br />fishing, swimming, equestrian and hiking trails, bicycling, camping, and picnics, are just a few of <br />the activities that playa major role for families in the Denver metroplex. As such, with over <br />3 million visitors each year to the Project, and with recreation also established as an authorized <br />Project purpose, I recognize the balance required to enhance recreation while maintaining flood <br />control responsibility. <br /> <br />This balance can be especially difficult to achieve when recreation interests demand <br />facilities to be located in close proximity to water and flood control interests demand facilities to <br />be located above the elevation of Corps property obtained both in fee and in easement. <br />Determining this balance at the Cherry Creek Project ultimately rests with me as District <br />Engineer. I and my staff have taken this role very seriously and have developed reservoir land <br />use criteria that provides this balance through compromise of both recreation interests and flood <br />control interests. I know that you are of the same opinion as I that the Cherry Creek Project must <br />provide as much recreation opportunity as possible while at the same time maintaining the <br />integrity of the Project to function as an unconstrained flood control system for those areas <br />downstream from the Project as well as for those areas within the project itself. <br /> <br />I feel that the marina, office and events center as currently proposed within the Cherry <br />Creek Project do not meet this balance and compromise between maximizing recreation needs <br />and minimizing flood damages, both within the reservoir and downstream. I must, therefore, <br />deny this proposal. I am enclosing a copy of the reservoir land use criteria that I referred to <br />earlier for your use and the use of your staff in our continued efforts to work together to identify <br />a marina, office, and events center facility which meets criteria for wise and prudent use ofthe <br />flood plain, where potential damages are minimized, the risk ofloss oflife is eliminated, and the <br />recreational needs of the surrounding community are met. <br /> <br />