WSP01996

• File Number: 8149.911
• Description: PSOP Background
• Basin: Arkansas
• Date: 3/1/2000
• Author: Montgomery Watson
• Title: Permitting and Regulatory Issues Prepared for Arkansas Basin Future Water and Storage Needs Assessment Enterprise
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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2331
Permitting of Alternatives

An initial ranking of the project alternatives based on their comparative difficulty with
project pennitting is presented below. None of the projects are deemed to have any fatal
flaws that would prohibit pennitting. The enclosed ranking is used to show the comparative
difficulty anticipated with obtaining the necessary pennits to allow project implementation.
The projects are ranked on a 1-10 scale with 10 being the most favorable (least difficult to
pennit). The scale rankings are based on the input from the pennitting agencies noted and an
understanding of the pennitting issues for other major water projects in Colorado.

Project reoperations was ranked six (6) in tenns of comparative pennitting difficulty.
Concerns have been raised with regard to the indirect impacts of project reoperations;
however, no construction would occur or inundation as a result of reservoir enlargement. The
existing Fry-Ark storage reservoir enlargement projects for Turquoise and Pueblo reservoirs
were each ranked three (3), as substantial areas would be newly inundated causing concerns
with wetlands, wildlife habitat, and recreational facilities. The Lake Meredith enlargement, in
contrast, was ranked five (5) as fewer difficulties were noted. However, as the Lake Meredith
enlargement would impact wetlands and wildlife habitat, pennitting issues would still be
present. The Gravel Lakes reservoirs were judged as the least difficult to pennit and was
ranked eight (8), assuming that they would be a new use of an existing gravel mining facility.
The Williams Creek reservoir enlargement was ranked five (5), with issues similar to Lake
Meredith, namely with wetlands and wildlife concerns. The pennitting ranks are shown in
Table 2.

Table 2. Ranking of Alternatives Based on Permitting Difficulty

Storaoe Project Alternative Permittlna Difficulty'"
Proiect Reooerations 6
Pueblo Reservoir EnJaraement 3
Turauoise Reservoir Enlaraement 3
Lake Meredith Enlaroement 5
Gravel Lakes Storaoe 8
Williams Creek Reservoir Enlaraement 5

Notes:
",

Scores noled 10 as least difficult to 1 being most difficult.

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