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<br />2.5.3 Colorado Geological survey <br /> <br />The CGS is a review agency for the State Clearinghouse that <br />only addresses proposals by federal agencies and by the Depart- <br />ment of Local Affairs. However, other state agencies refer pro- <br />posals directly to the Geological survey. These include the <br />State Buildings Division and the Department of Health. <br /> <br />The most common geologic problem related to proposed build- <br />ings forwarded by the State BUildings Division is swelling <br />soils. Flooding is an infrequent problem. With the Department <br />of Health there are many referrals for review of sewage treatment <br />plants, water treatment plants, and hazardous waste sites. Sew- <br />age treatment plants are frequently located in the floodplain, so <br />they have to be protected with dikes or other floodproof ing mea- <br />sures. There are also numerous uranium tailings piles in flood- <br />plains in communities like Durango and Grand Junction. <br /> <br />The Geological Survey also reviews subdivision proposals <br />referred to them by the counties as required by Section 30-28-101 <br />et seq., CRS 1973. The floodplain review is conducted whether <br />floodplain mapping has been previously performed or not. The CGS <br />works with the Water Conservation Board to maintain a current <br />library of available floodplain information throughout the <br />state. Where no mapping is available, the physiographic <br />floodplain is examined, and if it is necessary, mapping of the <br />floodplain is recommended. The possible flood impacts of <br />upstream dams are included in this review process. <br /> <br />If a proposal involves development in the floodplain, the <br />staff wants the developer to take that fact into account, which <br />means a professional evaluation by a geologist or an engineer and <br />the following of their recommended mitigating procedures. If the <br />CGS feels it is necessary, they forward proposals to the Water <br />Conservation Board for more detailed review. In a few cases--for <br />example, if development proceeds in a floodplain and buildings <br />are elevated--the CGS has required an emergency response plan <br />wi th a warning system to let people in the buildings in the <br />floodplain know that a flood is imminent. <br /> <br />In debris slide and mud slide areas, the Geological Survey <br />is the lead agency. For example, upon request by Glenwood <br />Springs they have been helping the community as a result of three <br />separate slides in 1981. <br /> <br />I\. research project the Survey initiated but couldn't com- <br />plete because of funding problems was a study of some floodplain <br />and geologic hazards in mountain canyons using stratigraphic <br />information to date historic floods in geolog ic time. An impor- <br />tant element of these studies is the determination of debris- <br />producing potential of various mountain watersheds. Tois project <br />is intended to enhance the State's ability to determine relative <br />vulnerability of the many canyon and canyon reaches of Colorado. <br /> <br />56 <br />