WSP01174 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

3. The District and Division Engineers recommend that the Chief of Engineers be authorized to participate in construction or reloca- tion of transportation facilities and utilities in advance of project construction as required to avoid increased costs for relocations; that, following authorization of the project, detailed site investigations and design be made for the purpose of accurately defining the lands required; and that, subsequently, advance acquisition be made of such title to such lands as may be required to preserve the site against incompatible developments. 4. The District Engineer points out that the Colorado Department of Highways had suspended improvement of the four-lane Colorado High- way No. 70 in the sector traversing the project area to avoid the added cost of subsequent relocation, but that, since other sectors of the highway improvement are completed and traffic densities require early completion of the affected sector, early consideration of project authorization and relocation authority would result in a savings in public funds. The reporting officers recommend that the Chief of Engineers be authorized to negotiate cost-sharing agreements with the Colorado Department of Highways and the United States Bureau of Public Roads for prompt relocation of the route of the highway improvements. 5. The Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors concurs in general in the proposed plan of improvement; however, it believes that non-Federal interests should acquire the water needed to establish the recreation and fish and wildlife enhancement purposes, in addition to the usual cost sharing under the provisions of the Federal Water Proj- ect Recreation Act. On this basis the Board estimated the net cost to the United States at $29,223,000 for construction and $40,000 annually for operation, maintenance, and replacements. Subsequent to completion of the District and Division Engineers' reports, the Colorado Highway Department has decided that it may need to proceed with construction of the uncompleted segment of Colorado Highway No. 70 along the alternate route outside the reservoir area because of the urgent need for this highway improvement. The Board recommends that the Chief of Engineers be authorized to reimburse the Highway Department for the added costs of relocating the highway even though construction of the highway may be initiated prior to authorization of the dam and reservoir project. The Board also believes that responsible local interests should be required to hold and save the United States free from damages due to water-rights claims resulting from construction and operation of the project; adequately inform all affected interests, at least annually, that the project will not provide complete flood protection; and, provide guidance and leadership in preventing unwise and uneconomical future development of the flood plain areas by encouraging prudent management techniques to reduce future flood losses. The Board recom- mends authorization for construction and operation of the dam and res- ervoir, essentially as planned by the District Engineer as subsequently modified, subject to certain conditions of local cooperation, including those added by the Board and stated in the foregoing. 2 , . ~