ALP 6

November 19, 2012
Mark Chiarito
Bureau of Reclamation
185 Suttle Street
Durango, CO 81303
Dear Mr. Chiarito,
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on Reclamation's Preliminary
Draft Environmental Assessment of the Lake Nighthorse Recreation Master Plan
( "Plan ") dated October 2012 (the "Draft "). The San Juan Water Commission
( "Commission ") has the following comments:
Page 2, Section 1.2, last full paragraph: Please delete the reference to the City
of Durango, or note that no final decision has been made concerning which entity
will be responsible for development and management of recreation.
Page 8, Section 2.0, last full paragraph: Please clarify that the Draft does not
require all phases to be constructed for the Plan to meet the environmental
commitments.
Page 12, Section 2.2, top paragraph: While operational concerns for large
events should be vetted with the ALP OM &R Association, the ALP contractors,
such as the Commission, should have a consultation role in setting the guidelines
for large events. The cumulative effect of large events will have a long -term
impact, and thus the contractors have a consultation role in setting the general
ground rules. Please acknowledge that role for contractors.
Page 12, Section 2.3: The Commission prefers this Action Alternative 2 and the
others that do not create a trail system that loops around the entire reservoir and
dam area. The Commission is concerned that the isolated nature of the dam and
related facilities would create a risk to the security of the facilities. One way to
prevent such a risk would be to prohibit trail access to the area, and any Plan
should include that prohibition.
Page 15, Section 2.6 Fueling commitment: The Commission agrees that non
fueling should be allowed on the reservoir, and it prefers that fueling be located
much more than 150 feet from the water's edge because the water will be used
for a drinking water supply. Extra precautions should be taken to guard against
the possibility of a fuel spill that would contaminate the water supply.