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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I PLEASANT V ALLEY PIPELINE, ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT City of Fort Collins In addition to participation in the Pleasant Valley Pipeline, the City of Fort Collins has explored several options to meet its anticipated demand including: . The constmction of a new pipeline from the City's existing diversion on the Poudre River. This option would require installing a buried pipeline along Highway 14 through the Poudre Canyon and then a route south similar to the PVPL alignment or parallel to Fort Collins' existing pipelines. Approximately 15 miles of pipeline would need to be constmcted for this option depending on the alignment. Constmction of the pipeline through the Poudre Canyon could potentially result in environmental impacts due to the proximity to the Poudre River and the disturbance required to install a pipeline in this narrow corridor. There is also some risk that a flood event could damage pipelines in this corridor and dismpt service. . The City also considered installing a booster pump on its existing pipelines to increase deliveries from about 20 mgd to 30 mgd. This option would not provide sufficient additional water to meet the City's need. There are also cost and reliability concerns with pressurizing an older gravity line. Energy consumption and costs would be greater with a pressurized line in comparison to a gravity system. . Another option considered by the City included acquiring additional C-BT units. This option would not allow the City to use existing Poudre River water rights. There are reliability concerns associated with increasing the City's dependence on C-BT water should there ever be a problem with the outlet works at Horsetooth Reservoir that could impact the City's ability to take water deliveries. Other limitations in use ofC-BT water are described below in the No Action Alternatives for the Tri-Districts. Tn-Districts The Tri-Districts currently rely exclusively on C-BT water to meet their water supply needs. Acquisition of additional C-BT units is a possible No Action Alternative for the Tri-Districts to meet a portion of anticipated water supply needs, but there are not sufficient units to meet projected demands. This alternative would require the purchase of C-BT units from a farmer who is retiring irrigated agricultural land from production or who has a surplus of water. A disadvantage of this alternative is a reduction in irrigated agriculture. There also are limitations in the amount ofC-BT water that can be used for municipal purposes under NCWCD "Cap" policy guidelines. The original intent of the C-BT Project was to provide a source of water to supplement native water supplies for irrigated agriculture. As cities have grown and annexed agricultural lands, water historically used on these lands is transferred to municipalities. There is not sufficient C- BT water available to meet the water needs for all municipal uses. The NCWCD has historically sought to protect the region's agricultural economy by placing limits on the amount of water that could be owned by any entity. This policy allows maximum beneficial use ofC-BT water where needed to supplement existing supplies and discourage financial speculation in water. 10