ArkansasComments24

• Basin: Arkansas
• Title: Comments 24
• Date: 2/2/2004
• SWSI - Doc Type: Comments

"'

02/02/2004 17:23

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PAGE 04

· Union Park's pumped-storage and multi~basin delivery facilities can be permitted
and constructed in four self-funding phases over a 7 t015 year period, for a total cost
of about $3 billion; .

· Union Park's Phase I Dam, Taylor-Union pump/generator facility, and Union-Antero
Siphon to Denver and Colorado Springs would cost about $1.5 billion. Colorado
Springs and EI, Paso County would eventually need another gravity pipeline through
South Park to Rampart Reservoir above the Air Force Academy;

· Union Park's Phase 2 pumped-storage filling and peaking power operation between
Blue Mesa and Union Park Reservoirs would cost about $900 million, including
several small fishing and irrigation reservoirs for local Gunnison needs;

· Union Park's optional Phase 3 reversible interconnect pipeline between Union Park
Reservoir and Fry-Ark's southern collection system could further enhance
efficiencies of existing reservoirs throughout four river basins for about $250 million;

· Union Park's optional Phase 4 pipeline branch from the Union-Antero high pressure
siphon can augment the Rio Grande Basin over Poncha Pass, when needed, for
droughts and endangered species needs, for about $250 million;

· Union Park's high storage. concept can substantially reduce regional evaporation
losses, Le. 1 ~ feet annually from surface of Union Park vs. 7 feet from Lake Powell;

· Union Park's expected 10 to 1 benefjt~cost ratio for enhancement of water rights and
utilities throughout five major river systems is about 500% more efficient than any
other current or proposed Western water storage project;

· Union Park can quickly solve regional water quality, endangered species, farm dry-
up, Front Range growth. Black Canyon, Kansas shortages, etc., without additional
dewatering of Colorado's excessively depleted South Platte, Arkansas, and
Colorado Main Stem Rivers, as well as regional ground water reserves;

· Union Park can be owned and managed by cooperating Western and Eastern Slope
water providers; or a Statewide Water Authority; Of' a Regional Water Authority;

· Union Park's unique high altitude, multi-basin, pumped-storage water and power
enhancement concept can serve as a watershed pilot program to solve the West's
escalating clean water and power crisis for future droughts and growth.