BOARD02614

• Board Meeting Date: 7/13/1998
• Description: Flood Section - South Platte River Channel Project - Right-of-Way Action
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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Colorado Water Conservation Board
Department of Natural Resources
721 Centennial Building
131 3 Sherman Street
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: (303) 866,3441
FAX: (303) 866,4474

STATE OF COLORADO

8

Roy Romer
Governor

MEMORANDUM

James S. Lochhead
Executive Director, ONR
DiHiesC tile, P.E.
Director, eWeB
Peter H. Evans
Acting Director, CWeB

TO:

Colorado Water Conservation Board Members

FROM: Larry Lang

DATE: July 6, 1998

SUBJECT: Agenda Items 4,c, July 13-14, 1998 Board Meeting--
South Platte River Channel Project, Right-of-Way Action

INTRODUCTION

At the November 6-7, 1995, Board Meeting, approval was given to grant requests for easements
in CWCB's right-of-way along the Chatfield Downstream Channel Improvement Project on a
case-by-case basis. The Board has received a request for an easement from Air Life Division of
Health One - Request letter attached. This request by Air Life is for the construction of a
Memorial Rest Stop which will be officially named as the "THE AIR LIFE PLATTE RIVER
MEMORIAL PARK". The park will be constructed adjacent to the existing South Platte River
bike and walking trail/path between Prince Street and West Bowles Avenue. The area of usage
for the easement request is approximately 40 feet x 140 feet.

DISCUSSION

The purpose for the construction of the park is a dedication to Julie Olmstead, and AIR LIFE
crew members Pete Abplanalp, Leslie Feldmann, and Beth Barber who lost their lives in a tragic
accident and related helicopter crash on December 14, 1997. The Air Life helicopter had
responded to a call for medical assistance due to a serious automobile accident in Littleton. Upon
exiting the scene, the helicopter struck a power line and crashed into the CWCB South Platte
River Channel Right -of-Way. The proposed Park is located at the approximate impact site of the
December 14th helicopter crash. The area of usage for the construction of the park complex is
40 feet x 140 feet (5,600 Sq. ft.) within the left overbank between Prince Street and West Bowles
A venue,

The Memorial Park is being built as a permanent remembrance of those who dedicated their Jives
to saving the lives of others. The South Suburban Park and Recreation District (District) who
manages the park and recreational activities within the Board's project lands are supportive of
this proposal and will manage the park complex upon its completion, In addition, the City of

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