WSP00420

• File Number: 8441.600.20
• Description: CBT Title Transfer to NCWCD
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Date: 10/1/2000
• Author: USDOI/BOR
• Title: Draft Environmental Assessment - Title Transfer of Selected Colorado-Big Thompson Project Water Facilitiies to the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
TITLE TRANSFER OF SELECTED COLORADO-BIG THOMPSON PROJECT WATER
FACILITIES TO THE NORTHERN COLORADO WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRJCT

North Poudre Diversion Dam

The North Poudre Diversion Dam is located on the Cache la Poudre River about 1 I

miles northwest of Fort Collins, The diversion feature incorporates an overflow dam

with sluiceway, canal intake, by-pass outlet, and a Parshall flume with gauging station,

No Action Alternative
Under the No Action Alternative, the United States would retain title to all land that it
currently owns associated with the selected facilities previously described and would
continue to own the facilities. The District would continue to manage, operate, maintain,
repair, rehabilitate and replace these facilities. Reclamation would continue to have
oversight responsibility for the facilities. The District and Reclamation would continue to
jointly issue and administer crossing licenses and other forms of permission to utilize the
land on which the facilities are located.

Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
Legal and Regulatory Environmental Changes
Reclamation has federal stewardship and oversight responsibilities for the facilities
proposed for title transfer. Although the District has responsibility for and has effectively
managed, operated, maintained, and repaired the facilities for many years, Reclamation
has the ultimate responsibility for the facilities. Reclamation's responsibilities require
compliance with all federal environmental laws and regulations associated with its
stewardship and oversight of the facilities. The most common federal environmental
laws and regulations associated with Reclamation's responsibilities are discussed below,

National Environmental Policy Act

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEP A) of 1969 as amended requires federal

agencies to consider the effects of their actions that may significantly affect the quality of

the human environment. Consideration of the effects of agency actions is addressed

through an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

This process considers alternatives to the proposed action including a no action

alternative, and discloses significant impacts to the hwnan environment associated with

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