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<br />'" <br /> <br />,. <br /> <br />of Raton Basin CBM produced water. Data and experience gained from the USGS study will <br />hopefully be of use in that effort. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Bureau of Reclamatiou Southern Delivery System Study Update: The Bureau of Reclamation <br />(Reclamation) wiil look at effects of water development on Fountain Creek as it analyzes the <br />environmental impact of a $1 billion water pipeline to Colorado Springs. <br /> <br />A recently released fact sheet answers some ofthe most frequently asked questions about the <br />Southern Delivery System (SDS), a proposed 66-inch-diameter pipeline 43 miles north from <br />Pueblo Dam to provide up to 78 million gallons of water per day to meet water needs in Colorado <br />Springs, Fountain and Security through 2046. Many of those questions center around Fountain <br />Creek issues such as growth, past studies of dam sites and a plan by Pueblo County consultant <br />Ray Petros to incorporate water reuse with flood control. The fact sheet can be found at <br />Reclamation's website at <br />htto:/lwww.usbr.aov/oo/ecao/sds faa 061506.odf <br /> <br />The draft Environmental Impact Statement for SDS won't be ready until late this year, but <br />Reclamation released a review of the process in June, partly because of increasing questions <br />about Fountain Creek. <br /> <br />The environmental review process has delayed SDS by about two years from a timetable released <br />in 2003. Even at the slower pace, however, Colorado Springs Utilities could build the pipeline by <br />2012, which it calls the critical date for meeting its water demand needs. <br /> <br />Colorado Springs proposes releasing SDS return flows directly into Fountain Creek in the form of <br />wastewater. The Fountain Creek exchange could further reduce flows on the Arkansas River . <br />through Pueblo and increase flows on Fountain Creek. Colorado Springs is restricted by a 2004 <br />intergovernmental agreement with Pueblo and others to forgo exchanges at minimum <br />streamflows, but plans to increase exchanges over time. <br /> <br />Reclamation will measure the environmental impact of that particular water right against six <br />alternatives, possibly using components ofthe alternatives to mitigate damage. For instance, one <br />alternative suggests a return flow pipeline to the confluence of Fountain Creek. <br /> <br />Reclamation also looked at growth as an issue. Growth in the Fountain Creek watershed will <br />increase flows, both from higher releases of treated wastewater and by increasing runoff from <br />parking lots, rooftops and streets. It cites other studies such as the Statewide Water Supply <br />Initiative in concluding that growth would occur regardless of whether SDS is built. <br /> <br />Costs also are factored in, both for ratepayers in Colorado Springs, Security and Fountain, and for <br />downstream communities that could be looking at dealing with increased flows. A "no-action" <br />alternative looks at how communities would cope with growth and resulting water needs if no <br />pipeline is built. <br /> <br />Reclamation is proceeding with its environmental review despite a slowdown in a Fountain Creek <br />Watershed study by the Corps of Engineers. The Corps last week estimated its study won't be <br />done until 2008, but Reclamation has coordinated its work with the Corps as it evaluates <br />alternatives. <br /> <br />Fountain Creek Transit Loss Study: The Board is contributing $200,000 to this $600,000 <br />USGS cooperative study with the El Paso County Water Authority, Colorado Springs Utilities, <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />20 <br />