Laserfiche WebLink
berianb 311)ittb anb 3.eorboir Qtampanp <br /> grand mesa. Our experience of now more than 7 years into the process suggests this is a good <br /> first move. <br /> • Current Activity and Plan: Several meetings with the COE have been completed with staff, <br /> engineering, and environmental science to date. It is anticipated that a full year, perhaps a year <br /> and a half will be required to complete the COE permit process, the public comment periods and <br /> the response documentation. It is anticipated that there will be opposition to the project from <br /> several sources. Current plan: <br /> 2011 COE 404 permit—public comment—scoping <br /> Environmental studies <br /> Quantitative wetlands evaluation <br /> 2012 COE Final permit stage <br /> USFS NEPA and special use permit requirements (roads, timber, etc) <br /> Engineering/Contract work <br /> 2013 Final permits sometime in 2013 <br /> Final Engineering drawings <br /> Pre Contract Bid Spring <br /> START CONSTRUCTION FALL 2013 <br /> FINISH CONSTRUCTION LATE FALL 2013 <br /> Environmental Studies;The COE 404 process is very complex and requires heavy emphasis on <br /> wetlands management and analysis. The FENS issues prevalent on the Grand Mesa are poorly <br /> understood and lacking in well performed scientific studies. The FENS impact area on our project is <br /> about.08 acres (3000 square feet)and is very small and our preliminary study suggests that impacts will <br /> be small, if any to the existing FENS. For this reason, the team feels there is a good chance at an <br /> ultimate permit. We anticipate environmental analysis costs to be in the range of$75,000 to$150,000 <br /> and will be the major expense in the permitting process. The suggestion is that an EA(Environmental <br /> Analysis)will be sufficient. A requirement for an EIS (Environmental Impact Statement)would be of such <br /> cost that the project would most likely be unfeasible.We should know by the end of 2011 what those <br /> requirements will be. <br /> Engineering and Construction: This project has already had a significant amount of engineering and <br /> preliminary work completed. The Overland is a mature site with existing roads, infrastructure, borrow pit, <br /> and a relatively easy engineering requirement. The outlet works will not be disturbed. The spillway will <br /> require minor modifications but no significant rebuild. A large component of cost may be the LEDPA <br /> (Least Environmentally Damaging Proposed Alternatives)analysis. The 404/NEPA requirements require <br /> looking at all possible alternatives for expansion, and in some cases doing in-depth evaluations of those <br /> sites. By the end of 2011 we should have some idea of the requirements in this area. I think the <br /> Engineering and Construction permitting and planning phase of this project will move very quickly once <br /> the environmental hurdles are completed. <br /> Money Requirements: It remains unclear what the final cost requirements will be for this project. Current <br /> projections remain in the$1.8 million dollar range which at$1800 per AF stored remains very cheap <br /> supply water. This project is being driven by environmental analysis costs. At the 2011 shareholders <br /> meeting of the Overland Ditch, the shareholders by a wide margin voted to continue support of the project <br /> as outlined. By 1Q 2012 we should have better numbers. The company will be drawing against the loan <br /> in the near future as we are starting a number of studies this summer. The company plans on <br /> resubmitting to the roundtable for a follow up grant on the FENS study published that has had good <br /> reception. The FENS wetlands issue is the defining obstacle to supply projects on GM at the moment. <br /> (As a side comment I think the CWCB would be wise in supporting some further research on the <br /> wetlands issues on the GM. I have some projects in mind!) <br /> Page 2 <br />