Colorado River photo:Ian Parker
The Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District hopes to divert as much of its 30,000 acre-feet of water as possible from the Colorado River every year to the East Slope. Northern proposes building a reservoir near Carter Lake for storing Windy Gap water to serve cities like Loveland, Greeley, Fort Lupton, Broomfield and Longmont.
With about 60 percent of the upper Colorado is already being diverted by Northern and Denver Water Board, this project would take another 20 percent of a river struggling to survive.
Worse, Denver Water's Moffat Firming Project will further reduce flows in the upper Colorado. Both projects are seeking federal approval at the same time. You would think their collective impacts need to be considered. This is not the case.
We have until October 29, 2008 express our views on the 2 1/2 thick draft EIS (Environmental Impact Statement). At this time the document does not
- Reflect a cumulative impact assessment of both projects
- Address the impact on stream tempetatures, reduced fish populations, sediment, and nutrients changes
- Accurately assess the recreational impact
- Deal with conservation opportunities for Front Range cities will receive the water
WHAT CAN YOU DO
1. Attend the hearing and make your views known...there will be opportunities to speak. The time and place TBD...click here to send me an email and I'll send you the specifics
2. Prepare a written statement (email or letter) of your concern(s) which should includes some personal statement on why the Colorado River is important to you. This should be addressed to
Will Tully
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Eastern Colorado Area Office
11056 W. County Rd. 18E
Loveland, CO 80537-9711
Email wtully@gp.usbr.gov
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