LOVELAND, Colorado -- The Bureau of Reclamation has released the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) for the recreational management of four reservoirs: Horsetooth Reservoir, Carter Lake, Pinewood Reservoir and Flatiron Reservoir. Reclamation owns and manages the four reservoirs in terms of water operations in partnership with Northern Water, while Larimer County manages them in terms of recreation. Because the reservoirs are federally owned, proposed recreation improvements are required to be disclosed and analyzed under the National Environmental Policy Act.
The EA summarizes the public process and identifies potential environmental impacts associated with concept-stage recreation improvements and other management actions at the four reservoirs. The conceptual recreational improvements and other management actions are identified in an associated Resource Management Plan (RMP).
The RMP was developed in parallel to Larimer County's Reservoir Parks Master Plan. The Master Plan is available at: www.larimer.org/naturalresources/plans-reports-advisory-boards and takes a county-wide look at current and future recreation needs. While the four reservoirs play an important role in the county's Master Plan, the plan also includes topics beyond the scope of the RMP, including project costs, financial strategies, and recreation needs beyond the four reservoirs.
Reclamation's Final EA and a Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) are available at www.usbr.gov/gp/ecao/nepa/larimer_county.html.
For additional information or to receive a printed copy of the EA or Draft FONSI, please contact Terence Stroh at 970-962-4369 or TStroh@usbr.gov.
More about the project:
Reclamation owns and operates nearly 7,000 acres of land and water at Horsetooth Reservoir, Carter Lake, Pinewood Reservoir and Flatiron Reservoir. Larimer County Department of Natural Resources manages recreational activities and maintains the recreation facilities at these reservoirs. Water stored in these reservoirs is distributed by Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District for municipal, agricultural, and other uses.
The RMP would replace the previous plans prepared in 2007 and establish a 10-year plan describing a management framework for the conservation, protection, and enhancement of the four reservoirs and surrounding lands.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
