Board Meeting 11/16/2004

• Board Meeting Date: 11/16/2004
• Description: CF Section - Non-Reimbursable Investments - Town of Florence - Oak Creek Reservoir Feasibility Study
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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KEN KESTER
State Senator
201 Grand Avenue
Las Animas, Colorado 81054
Capitol: [phone]
Home: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
[e-mail]

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COMMITTEES
Vice.Charrman of:
Health, Environment, Welfare &
Institutions
Local Government
Member of:
Business Affairs & labor

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~tat.e of Qlolorallo
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Colorado Water Conservation Board
1580 Logan Street, Suite 750
Denver, CO 80203

Re: City of Florence Grant Proposal, Oak Creek Reservoir

Dear Sir or Madam:

The City of Florence, and the towns of Coal Creek, Rockvale and Williamsburg are
pursuing a joint water storage and flood control reservoir on Oak Creek, west of the City
of Florence. Florence is pursuing this reservoir on behalf of the regional entities, and is
requesting a grant from CWCB for $200,000 in furtherance of this reservoir.

The City of Florence and the Albuquerque District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have
entered into a Feasibility Study for this project, which is a 50150 cost share. It is
estimated now that the "regional" costs for storage will be $7.7 million, and $2.6 million
for flood control. The Corps pays for 65% of flood control, but 0% for storage.

This reservoir has far-reaching benefits for the entire Arkansas Basin. Pueblo West and
Canon City have expressed interest in potentially participating in this project with
Florence. Decreed storage of 2,250 acre-feet, coupled with flood control, will be a
positive economic benefit to the region.

The grant request of $200,000 appears reasonable given the scope of this project, and
would greatly assist Florence, its regional partners, and potentially Pueblo West and
Canon City.