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<br /> <br />,. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />the nature of current problems, the causes of those problems, and potential mitigation approaches <br />to address the problems. The General Investigation Feasibility Study will develop the necessary <br />engineering analyses, cost estimates and recommendations to support requests for Congressional <br />authorization for construction of the recommended mitigation projects. <br /> <br />Description of the GI Feasibility Stndy <br />The GI Feasibility Study is intended to reduce future public and private damage from flooding <br />and erosion on Fountain Creek and its tributaries. The study will develop information to <br />improve understanding of the watershed's problems and to provide potential mitigation <br />approaches to address the identified problems. Specific study elements include: <br />. Development of a sediment transport model; <br />. Analysis of specific impacts of flooding and erosion; <br />· Development and assessment of potential mitigation strategies for flooding and erosion <br />problems for irrigation, utility and transportation infrastructure in the watershed; <br />· Development and assessment of potential mitigation strategies for energy resources and <br />distribution infrastructure in the watershed; and <br />. Proposed bridge designs. <br /> <br />Potential Benefits of the GI Feasibility Study <br />If the recommendations of the Feasibility Study are ultimately approved and Congress authorizes <br />funds for construction of recommended mitigation projects, there are various kinds of benefits <br />that could be realized: <br /> <br />. 1. <br /> 2. <br /> 3. <br /> 4. <br /> 5. <br /> 6. <br /> 7. <br /> <br />Reduction of the need for state and federal assistance in rebuilding irrigation infrastructure <br />after future floods; <br />Reduction of sediment from Fountain Creek adversely affecting the Arkansas River in John <br />Martin Reservoir and in Otero County; <br />Increased reliability of coal trains using tracks adjacent to Fountain Creek; <br />Increased reliability of electric transmission lines along Fountain Creek; <br />Increased protection from erosion damage to highways in the watershed; <br />Lessening of the impacts on the watershed from growth within the watershed; <br />Updates of Flood Insurance Rate Maps within the watershed. <br /> <br />Specific Request <br />At this time, the City of Colorado Springs is requesting a $300,000 non-reimbursable investment <br />from the Construction Fund toward the first of three installments for the 10caVstate match for the <br />GI Feasibility Study. The remaining $375,000 would be provided by the II local governments <br />within the watershed, making a total local/state share of $675,000. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Staff Comments <br />The 1999 flood on Fountain Creek and the Arkansas River resulted in approximately <br />$40,000,000 in damages. That flood was estimated to have a frequency of 10 - 20 years. When <br />a larger flood happens on Fountain Creek, damages can be expected to be even worse if no <br />watershed mitigation is implemented. The GI Feasibility Study will provide two major benefits <br />to address that possibility. First, it will contribute to a greatly enhanced understanding of the <br /> <br />'/.. <br />