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<br />2.5.4 Corps of Engineers Tri-Lakes Projects, South Platte Basin <br />The Corps of Engineers constructed and operates three projects in the vicinity of Denver - <br />Cherry Creek Reservoir, Chatfield Reservoir, and Bear Creek Reservoir. These projects were <br />constructed principally to provide flood protection for the Denver metropolitan area and <br />downstream areas. All three facilities have flood control pools and multipurpose pools for . <br />recreation and water supply. The Corps of Engineers controls the flood control storage in each <br />facility. <br />In 1991, the Omaha District expressed its intent to enter into informal consultation under Section <br />7 regarding impacts to threatened and endangered species in Colorado and on the Platte River. <br />Completion of informal consultation has been delayed while the Corps revises its operations <br />manuals and develops an operations model for the reservoirs. Formal consultation is, not <br />expected to be completed until 1995. Due to the responsibilities of the Corps under Section 7 <br />(a) (2) of the Endangered Species Act, activities and accomplishments under the Program will <br />not be used to provide reasonable and prudent alternatives for the Tri-Lakes projects. <br />Reasonable and Prudent alternatives resulting from this consultation implemented by the Corps <br />that benefit the Big Bend area will be considered as part of Program implementation. However, <br />these measures will not be considered as reasonable and prudent alternatives for other federal <br />actions. <br />2.6.5 Section 7 Consultations on Federal Actions Not Related to Water Projects <br />The Service .is required to consult on all federal actions that may affect threatened and <br />endangered species in the Big Bend area. Many of these actions are not related to water <br />projects, such as, federal actions related to bank stabilization projects, housing developments, <br />transportation activities, pipelines, overhead lines, and soil conservation activities. The Service <br />will identify the impacts of these types of actions and specify reasonable and prudent <br />alternatives, as appropriate, independently of the Program. To the maximum extent possible, <br />the reasonable and prudent alternatives will support implementation of the Program, and will <br />30