LOVELAND, Colo. -The Bureau of Reclamation has released a supplemental information (SIR) report for the Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC) in Southeastern Colorado. The SIR describes changes from a reconfigured alignment of the AVC. Under the Reconfigured AVC Project, Reclamation will construct the trunkline and the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District and others will fund and construct the spur and delivery pipelines. Reclamation intends to begin construction of the first reach of the AVC in 2022 with initial deliveries of AVC Project water to the towns of Boone and Avondale. When completed, the AVC Project will deliver Fryingpan-Arkansas Project water to 40 communities in Southeastern Colorado.
“The Reconfigured AVC Project eliminates approximately 27 miles of pipeline construction south and east of Pueblo, Colorado," said Eastern Colorado Area Manager Jeffery Rieker. “In its place, the AVC Project will utilize Pueblo Water’s infrastructure to treat and deliver AVC water from Pueblo Reservoir to a connection point east of Pueblo along Highway 50."
Reclamation is completing an environmental assessment to address supplemental National Environmental Policy Act requirements for the changes in AVC Project, including the addition of a long-term contract with Pueblo Water. The contract will address treatment and delivery of AVC Project water through the Pueblo Water system as well as Pueblo Water’s continued use of excess capacity storage in Pueblo Reservoir. Reclamation completed an environmental impact statement for the AVC Project in 2013 and signed a Record of Decision in 2014.
A copy of the SIR is available for download at https://www.usbr.gov/gp/ecao/avc/. For additional information of the AVC Project please contact Sam Braverman, Project Manager at sbraverman@usbr.gov or by calling 970-461-5305. For information about environmental compliance associated with the Reconfigured AVC Project, please contact Terence Stroh, Environmental Specialist, at tstroh@usbr.gov or 970-461-5469. For the deaf or hard of hearing, please call the Federal Relay System at (800)877-8339.
The Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC) is a major infrastructure project that upon completion will convey a reliable municipal and industrial water supply from Pueblo Reservoir to 40 communities serving a projected future population of 50,000 in Southeastern Colorado via pipelines. The area includes water providers in Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, Prowers, and Pueblo counties.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
