WSP05205 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

C> Co) ('-., c.n co OJ To construct, operate and maintain the PVPL, the District seeks a contract with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) for carriage of tributary Poudre River water in the Munroe Canal and a permit from Reclamation to connect the proposed pipeline to the Munroe Canal. In addition 10 the no aCtion alternative, Reclamation has considered two alternative routes for the pipeline, as well as alternative diversion sites and delivery options. The alternative preferred by the District and Reclamation (Central Pipeline Alignment) is to install 8.5 miles of buried raw water pipeline from the Munroe Canal to the Fort Collins Water Treattnent Facility and Soldier Canyon Filter Plant. Environmental effects of the preferred alterna1ive action and the District's proposed mitigation include: . The transfer of irrigation water rights in the Poudre River 10 the Munroe Canal diversion would result in a change in 1he timing and distribution of flows in the Poudre River. Streamflow below the Munroe Canal would decrease during the summer months and streamflow downstream of Fort Collins wouJd increase. No substantial direct impacts to water resources would occur with pipeline construction, although a 1emporary disturbance would occur at the Poudre River crossing. A slight improvement in water quality in the lower Poudre River is possible over time with the change from agricultural water use to municipal water use. . Pipeline construction would result in the temporary disturbance of about 119 acres of vegetation along the 8.5-mile pipe's route. The majority (102 acres) of the disturbance would be to pasture land and mixed grassland. Cropland (6.9 acres) and riparian woodland (2.8 acres) would also be disturbed. All disturbed areas would be revegetated following construction with the exception of the 6-acre fore bay pond adjacent to the Munroe Canal at the top of the proposed PVPL inlet . Project construction may affect and is likely to adversely affect to a small degree the Preble's meadow jumping mouse due to disturbance of potential mouse habitat at the Poudre River crossing. Planned construction during the winter and revegetation follOwing construction should minimize adverse effects and is a reasonable and prudent alternative. Black-tailed prairie dog may also be adversely affected due to construction through a portion of a prairie dog town. . Bald eagle, Ute ladies'- tresses orchid, and Colorado butterfly plant may be affected, but are not likely to be adversely affected due to the limited potential for directly affecting their habitat or activity. American burying beetle and western prairie fringed orchid may be affected by proposed depletions, but are not likely to be adversely affected. . Based on assumptions by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the relationship between streamflow in the Platte River basin and threatened and endangered species in Nebraska, the depletions associated with operation of the PVPL would adversely affect least1ern, piping plover, whooping crane, pallid sturgeon, and sturgeon chub. While the CWCB does not necessarily concur, implementation of reasonable and prudent measures under the Cooperative Agreement will reduce the adverse effects and ensure that such actions likely would neither jeopardize the continued existence of these species nor adversely modify their habitat. Accordingly, we believe that the substantial benefits of the District's proposed action outweigh 1he small, potentially adverse environmental impacts, which will be reasonably mitigated. We 1hank you for the opportunity to comment on this matter. 'GJ;KLYL- Rod Kuharich Director Flood Protection. Water Project Planning and Financing. Scream and Lake Protection Water Supply Protection. Conservation Planning