LOVELAND, Colo. -- A Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed renewal of the Town of Estes Park (Estes Park) water service contract with the Bureau of Reclamation for Colorado-Big Thompson Project water has been made available for public review and comment. Estes Park has contracted directly with Reclamation since 1939 for the delivery of up to 500 acre-feet of water per year for its water treatment plants. Estes Park operates two local water treatment plants, one at Marys Lake and one along Glacier Creek.
Reclamation would continue to deliver water to the Marys Lake Water Treatment Plant. However, the contract would also allow for the instantaneous exchange of water delivered to Lake Estes to be used at Glacier Creek Water Treatment Plant. Prior to this exchange of water, the following activities must occur including: an expansion of the Glacier Creek Water Treatment Plant, adjudication of additional Colorado water rights, and construction of a new diversion structure on the Big Thompson River above Lake Estes. Finally, the contract would change from a 40-year water service contract to a perpetual repayment contract.
The Draft EA is available electronically at http://www.usbr.gov/gp/nepa/sopa.html. Reclamation request any written comments on the Draft EA be received by Sept. 13, 2019. Comments can be sent to: Terence Stroh, Environmental Specialist, Bureau of Reclamation, 11056 W. CR 18E, Loveland, CO 80537; fax: (970) 663-321; or email: tstroh@usbr.gov.
For questions related the Draft EA or to request a printed copy, please contract Terence Stroh at 970-461-5469 or tstroh@usbr.gov. For questions related to the contract, please contact Bob Rice, at 970-461-5496.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
