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0413 . . SUMMARY SHEET I" Environmental Statement for the Mt, Elbert Pumped Storage Powerplant. Fryi.ngpan- Arkansas Project, Colorado - Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Department of the Interior 1. Date of Statement - Rarch 15, 1971 2. Draft Statement 3. A list of the agencies who have received the draft statement and from whom comments have been received is attached. 4. Environmental impact - a. Special architectural design concepts have been employed to minimize the impact of the powerp1ant on the aesthetic values of the area. b. Transformers will be of low-profile design and wi 11 be screened from view; penstocks and power transmission lines will be buried and trenches will be refIlled and revegetated. c. Scarring of the landscape will be held to a minimum during the con- struction period and such scars, borrow areas, and access roads as are required will be shaped and revegetated, .d. The operation of the pumped storage powerplant is expected to have some adverse effect on the physical and biological environment of Twin Lakes. e. The impact of the powerplant operation on the established fisheries Is as yet undetermined, Colorado Game, Fish and Parks Divi.ion is presently studying this impact. f. Sewage treatment facilities necessary to provide adequately for the pO~lerplant und Visitor Center are being provided. Sewage treatment requirements for the total development incl~ding the town of Twin Lakes and adjacent private holdings is under study. 9, Air, water, sound and aesthetic quality standards vJill be adhered to. Adverse environmental effects which cannot be avoided - u, The area will be scarred und aestheticully will present a rough appearance during construction. However, grading, revegetation and landscapi ng. refi 11 i ng of trenches, etc.. subsequent to construction will rectify this adverse effect in a relatively short time. b. An unknovm number of fish \"i 11 be lost through the pumpback-power generation operation, Although this operation will be studied to minimize the impact, it is doubtful that totnl el imination of fish losses wi 11 be possible. Alternatives - The Mt, Elbert Pumped Storage Powerplant is the principal power generating feature of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, Many design alternatives have been studied, The proposed construction plan reflects the design which the Bureau of Reclnmation feels will best meet the need with the minimum of environmental impact, 5. This is a proposed administrative action for awarding the construction contract for the Mt, Elbert Pumped Storage Powerplant.