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Ms. Jemiifer Gimbe! July 16, 2008 Page Ttivo The reduced flows in the Poudre River predicted in the draft EIS would likely alter river water temperatures, dissolved oxygen levels and other water quality parameters that could substantially impact regulatory requirements for the City's wastewater treatment facilities and require the City to substantially alter its wastewater treatment systems and processes. The reduced flows in the Poudre River appear to alter river sedimentation so as to impact the regulation of the Poudre River floodplain. This would require the City to substantially alter its stormwater master planning and would require FEMA and the City to review and revise floodplain and stormwater mapping and criteria in the Poudre River basin. The reduced flows in the Poudre River appear likely to have a negative impact on riparian vegetation and wetlands along the river and diminish the abundance and diversity of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife along and around the river. The reduced flows appear likely to impair the City's ability to protect and preserve for pttblic use the numerous public natural areas, parks, trails and other pttbIic facilities that the City has invested in acquiring and developing along the river. This would diminish the quality of those public resources and the public's ttse and enjoyment of them. L' The reduced flows and related impacts appear to signif cantly reduce the usefulness of the river for boating and kayaking within the City, and could have substantial economic impacts due to reduction in boating and other kinds of recreation in the City. The reduced flows appear likely to interfere with developmetrt of public and private facilities in the vicinity of the river, as well as plans to better integrate the river into Fort Coliins's Downtown and North College areas. Based on the City's review so far the City has noted a number of concerns regarding the draft EIS itself, including data, modeling, and analysis that is missing or is insufficient to support some key conclusions stated in the draft. Because of the significance of the potential issues for the City and potential costs to taxpayers of Fort Collins and the City's water, wastewater and stormwater customers, it is critical for the City to develop a sound understanding of the possible impacts and what may be done to avoid or mitigate predicted or anticipated impacts. It is the City's goal to provide the Army Corps of Engineers with solid, thoughtful, factual and substantive comments so the Corps has the information it needs to make an informed and adequate decision on NISP in light of the magnitude of the potential impacts to the City and its citizens. s