9417

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9417
• Author: U.S. Department of the Interior.
• Title: Final Environmental Assessment
• USFW Year: 1998.
• USFW - Doc Type: Acquisition and Enhancement of Floodplain Habitats along the Upper Colorado, Green, and Gunnison Rivers as part of the Recovery Program for Endangered Colorado River Fishes.
• Copyright Material: NO

comments. See letter in letter section which lists
their comments.

Colorado Water Conservation Board

1. There is a general concern about the ability to
protect existing public facilities, infrastructure
(roads, utilities, etc.), farmlands, homes, and other
buildings in those areas where lands and
easements would be acquired for this project.
Since future flood control improvements would
not be allowed on the acquired lands, how will
potential flood impacts to those existing features
be mitigated?

2. Will emergency flood control measures and
flood fight efforts be allowed on the acquired
lands in cases when flood flows exceed the design
discharges or exceed existing levels of flood
protection?

3. The breaching or removal of existing levees
from acquired lands could have significant
adverse flood and erosion impacts on adjacent
lands and facilities. It is imperative that all
necessary measures are taken to protect adjacent
non-participating landowners, and that those
landowners are satisfied with their flood
protection.

4. What level of flood protection would be
provided for any affected structures or non-
participating landowners where existing levees
would be breached or removed? For example,
will protection be provided to the existing level or
will it be provided for a specific flood frequency
such as the SO-year event, 100-year event, or 500-
year event? What specific process will be used to
evaluate and design measures that will be used to
protect existing structures? Who will pay for the
flood protection measures where they are needed?

made.

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-"On project lands where there are opportunities
to enhance floodability, steps will be taken to
ensure that existing levels of flood protection are
maintained for adjacent non-participating lands
and associated structures. That is, if adjacent non-
participating lands are currently protected from 50
or IOO-year flood events, then those levels will be
maintained. This may necessitate "walling off'
some project lands by constructing or reinforcing
levees to protect adjacent lands.

-"Emergency measures will certainly be allowed
on any non-participating lands adjacent to project
lands.

-"See response to # I, above.
-"Prior to any excavation, topographic surveys
and flood modeling will be conducted to
determine if there is a need for measures to protect
adjacent lands. Based on results, structures will
be designed and constructed where necessary to
provide existing levels of flood protection or
erosion control.

-"For lands adjacent to project lands, surveys will
be conducted to determine what the existing levels
of flood protection are. Existing levels will be
maintained.
-"The project will consult with Bureau of
Reclamation engineers in design, engineering, and
construction to protect existing structures.
-"The Recovery Program will pay for flood
protection measures where they are needed.

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