News and Facts
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SDS News Updates Upper Williams Creek Reservoir: One of the benefits of the Southern Delivery System will be a new water storage reservoir offering recreational opportunities in close proximity to Colorado Springs. The SDS Preferred Alternative terminal water reservoir would be located on Upper Williams Creek just 14 miles southeast of downtown Colorado Springs. . . . . . (more) Pueblo County issues 1041 permit for SDS: On April 21, 2009, the Pueblo Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to issue a 1041 land-use permit for the Southern Delivery System Preferred Alternative. Bruce McCormick, Colorado Springs Utilities Chief Water Services Officer, expressed Colorado Springs’ gratitude to Pueblo County for a fair and open process. “This agreement paves the way for several communities in southern Colorado to come together,” he said. . . . . (more) Colorado Springs City Council Votes to Recognize Pueblo County Permit Conditions: On April 14, 2009, the Colorado Springs City Council voted 8-1 in favor of a resolution to formally recognize the commitments in the terms and conditions of the Pueblo County 1041 land-use permit. The resolution will preserve our ability to construct the Southern Delivery System (SDS) Preferred Alternative - a pipeline from Pueblo Reservoir. . . . (more) Resolution concerning the terms and conditions of the Pueblo County 1041 Permit: The Colorado Springs City Council is scheduled to vote on a resolution concerning the terms and conditions of the Pueblo County 1041 Permit for the Southern Delivery System and related commitments to Fremont County at its April 14 meeting. Date:
April 14 Public Information Session and Hearing on Pueblo County land-use permit: Pueblo County has approved certain terms and conditions for a 1041 Permit for the construction and operation of the Southern Delivery System (SDS) within Pueblo County. Permit conditions will be reviewed in a public information and comment session. Formal acceptance of these terms and conditions by the Colorado Springs City Council is required for final approval of the 1041 permit by Pueblo County. Final approval of the 1041 permit by Pueblo County would provide Colorado Springs the ability to construct the SDS preferred alternative – a pipeline from Pueblo Reservoir. Date: Thursday,
April 9 In addition to public comments taken during the hearing, written comments will be accepted at the office of the City Clerk at 30 South Nevada Avenue. Written comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. on April 9, 2009 at the Clerk’s Office or may be submitted at the hearing. On March 23, 2009, the Bureau of Reclamation announced its release of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Southern Delivery System (SDS) – completing its review of the $1.1 billion water project under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). “This is a critical milestone toward making the Southern Delivery System, and the water it will provide for our future, a reality,” said Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera. “Reclamation’s review of SDS was lengthy, thorough and complete and we will construct a better project as a result.” “With the approval of our land use permit in Fremont County and approval by the Pueblo County Commissioners of the conditions for the Pueblo 1041 Permit, the issuance of the ROD brings us even closer to making SDS a reality,” said John Fredell, SDS Project Director . . . . (more) Pueblo County Approves SDS 1041 Permit: The Pueblo County Board of County Commissioners voted 3-0 on March 18, 2009, to approve a 1041 land-use permit with its staff recommended terms and conditions for the Southern Delivery System (SDS) project in Pueblo County. “This has been an extensive and thorough public process,” said John Fredell, SDS Project Director. “The unanimous vote from the County Commissioners is a historic milestone for the project and a testament to the significant work by many individuals to reach an agreement that has the potential to benefit both communities.” The permit for the SDS Preferred Alternative – a pipeline from Pueblo Reservoir – was approved with staff recommended terms and conditions. Major conditions include Colorado Springs’ mitigation of impacts to Fountain Creek from SDS by funding $50 million to the new Fountain Creek Watershed District or similar entity for erosion, sedimentation, flood control or water quality improvement projects. In addition, Colorado Springs would invest $75 million in planned improvements to its wastewater collection system or reuse systems by 2024. The proposed terms and conditions are now subject to review and acceptance by the Colorado Springs City Council through a public process. Pending Colorado Springs’ approval, Pueblo County officials indicated they are prepared to take final action as early as April 2. Fredell added that “I want to caution that this doesn’t mean construction is imminent. This means we are closer to having two viable options for our management and Council to analyze and decide which is in the best interest of our customers.” Positive reactions greet agreement on 1041 Permit: Colorado Springs Councilwoman Margaret Radford was quoted by The Gazette as saying she is “just ecstatic, like everything I’ve done in the last eight years was worth it.” Radford was quoted as saying Pueblo drove a hard bargain with the conditions it set for the permit, but said they needed to do so to protect their citizens. "We've gained a new approach to our neighbor to the south and they to us and we've tried to make something that's a win-win for both communities," said Utilities CEO Jerry Forte. "They took the right step to give us something concrete we can take back to our citizens," said Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera. Rivera said the city will hold a public hearing in Colorado Springs to let residents comment on the conditions. No date has been set. Pueblo County Announces 1041 Permit Conditions: The Pueblo Board of County Commissioner has announced its conditions for the 1041 Land-Use Permit for the Southern Delivery System (SDS). The permit would be valid for the life of the SDS project, providing the participants are in compliance. The proposed conditions are posted on the Pueblo County Web site, www.co.pueblo.co.us. If approved by Pueblo County, the Colorado Springs City Council would review and vote on the conditions in a public process. Pueblo County will accept comments through its hearing on March 18, 2009. Details of the Pueblo County 1041 Permit Conditions Colorado Springs to Review 1041 Permit Conditions: If Pueblo County approves the permit, the Colorado Springs City Council will conduct its own review in a public process before voting on acceptance of the conditions. “The announcement of these conditions is a major step forward to obtaining a land use permit in Pueblo County,” said SDS Project Director John Fredell. “But now our community must carefully review these conditions. Assuming that Pueblo County approves our 1041 Permit, we will be in a good position of having two very good alternatives to choose from – each with its own advantages and disadvantages. SDS ensures we will have a dependable and cost effective way to deliver water to our community.” A pipeline from Pueblo Dam still appears to be the less expensive of the two alternatives, although some of the conditions proposed by Pueblo County will narrow the price difference between it and the Highway 115 Alternative through Fremont County. ————— Fremont County Approves SDS Land Use Permit: The Fremont County Board of County Commissioners voted 3-0 on Feb. 24 to approve the Special Review Use Permit for the Southern Delivery System (SDS) project in Fremont County. “We are very pleased with the Commissioners’ decision today and are appreciative of the professionalism we have encountered by them and their staff,” said John Fredell, SDS Project Director. “The unanimous vote from the County Commissioners and the letters of support submitted by companies, individuals and government entities in Fremont County demonstrates that this community understands the benefit a project like SDS could have for their community. It underscores that SDS can be a win-win.” The permit for the SDS Highway 115 Alternative was approved with conditions recently developed with Fremont County, as well as additional conditions discussed and agreed to at the hearing today. One of the conditions would ensure the Penrose Water District would be allowed to share the construction corridor for SDS for their own planned water pipeline if the entity opts not to partner on the SDS project. At the hearing, Fredell proposed a 90-day timeframe that outlines a process to work out the details for agreements with Penrose Water District and Beaver Park Water by June 1. The Commissioners concurred with the added time for discussions and encouraged both sides to continue negotiating in good faith, while also noting that the water agreements are outside the scope of the permit approved by the County. Fredell noted that there are costs savings of up to $2 million to Penrose Water for using the SDS pipeline to transport their water versus building their own pipeline. The SDS project participants and the two local water providers will continue to develop cost estimates for Penrose and Beaver Park to partner on the project. ————— Pueblo County Delays Hearing: Pueblo County has delayed until March 18 a hearing to announce its conditions for a 1041 land-use permit for SDS. A press release from Pueblo County indicated the continuance is intended to provide staff additional time to finalize a proposed set of terms and conditions designed to mitigate impacts if the proposed project is approved. The March 18 hearing will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the Commissioners Chambers of the Pueblo County Courthouse. ————— Fremont County shows support for SDS: At the conclusion of their hearing on Feb. 10, the Fremont County Commissioners expressed support for the Southern Delivery System (SDS) project in Fremont County and voted to consider approval of the pending land use permit application as early as their Feb. 24 meeting – once conditions are agreed to and finalized. During the hearing, SDS project staff provided an hour-long presentation on key components, public outreach efforts, mitigation of project impacts, and potential benefits to Fremont County. Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera conveyed that the Fremont County option is a viable option for SDS that the city is seriously considering. During the presentation, SDS staff reviewed numerous commitments to avoid or mitigate construction impacts, efforts to protect river flows and the economic and community SDS benefits to Fremont County, including $60 million in construction labor, enhancements to the Florence River Park, and partnerships with local water providers, among others. SDS Project Director John Fredell reported that considerable progress is being made in discussions with Penrose Water District and Beaver Park Water. Colorado Springs Utilities is optimistic that agreements can be reached with these Fremont County water providers to ensure they can participate in the project, if they choose, and to provide assurances that SDS will not impact their water operations. Commissioners gave the public an opportunity to provide additional comments on the project. Of the verbal and written comments submitted, there were significantly more in support of the project than in opposition. A number of groups who had previously shared concerns about the project spoke out in support of the project yesterday indicating that issues they had with the project have been resolved . . . . (more) ————— In an historic collaborative move, El Paso and Pueblo County Commissioners signed an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) and demonstrated their cooperative efforts to make major improvements to Fountain Creek. The agreement will create a Fountain Creek Watershed Governing Board, responsible for managing projects to control flooding, improve water quality and create recreational facilities along the creek. The agreement is the culmination of a two-year effort by the Fountain Creek Vision Task Force, a broad coalition representing local governments and other stakeholder interests from throughout the Fountain Creek Watershed. Over the last two years, the Task Force developed a cooperative framework and strategic plan for addressing broad based issues related to Fountain Creek. News Release from Keystone Center, December 16, 2008. ————— The Pueblo Board of County Commissioners resumes its hearing on the SDS Project Participants’ 1041 Land Use Permit Application on Dec. 29. The hearing will be at 6 p.m. in the in the Jackson Conference Room at the Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center, 210 North Santa Fe Avenue, Pueblo. The Commission held two nights of hearings on the application on Dec. 9 and 11. The Commission heard presentation from the Project Participants and the county’s staff on the first night and comments from project supporters and opponents on the second night. The Dec. 29 hearing will provide an opportunity for the commissioners and staff to ask questions about the project and the application. The Project Participants will also submit a written rebuttal to comments made during the Dec. 11 meeting. ————— SDS reached a major milestone Dec. 12 with the Bureau of Reclamation’s completion of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the project. Reclamation’s Eastern Colorado Area Office sent the FEIS to the agency’s Washington D.C. headquarters for publication in the Federal Register. Publication of the FEIS in the Federal Register is a prerequisite for Reclamation to issue its Record of Decision (ROD) for the project after a 30-day waiting period. That means the ROD could be issued as early as mid January. Reclamation identified the project participants’ Modified Proposed Action – a 53-mile-long pipeline from Pueblo Dam to a terminal storage reservoir on Upper Williams Creek near Colorado Springs – as the agency’s preferred alternative in the FEIS. “We’re pleased to be nearing the end of this very important step toward making the Southern Delivery System a reality,” said John Fredell, SDS Project Director. “Reclamation’s review of SDS dates back more than five years and included extensive study of a number of alternatives beyond the seven included in the Environmental Impact Statement. The process has been comprehensive and well done. We’ll end up with a better project as a result of their scrutiny.” ————— The environmental impact statement for SDS received EPA’s second highest marks as EPA ranks environmental impact statements. That is very positive and speaks to the thoroughness of the Final EIS for the project. The Project Participants’ goal is to build an environmentally responsible SDS project. EPA’s goal is the same. That is why we appreciate EPA’s feedback. However, we disagree with EPA’s comments in some regards. The EPA came to different conclusions than the Bureau of Reclamation on key issues, such as growth, SDS impacts on water quality and the comparison of action alternatives to the no action alternative. ————— SDS decision: An early holiday present, or a giant lump of coal: Dec. 9 of this year may be remembered as one of the most significant dates in the long history of our city. On that day, a public hearing will be held before the Pueblo County Board of Commissioners, who will decide whether to approve the 1041 permit process, and allow the Southern Delivery System to be constructed from Pueblo Reservoir. The potential impacts of SDS have been exhaustively analyzed by the city-financed Environmental Impact Statement. After multiple modifications, including replacing the proposed Jimmy Camp Creek reservoir with an impoundment on Upper Williams Creek, no significant environmental impacts are expected from the construction of the project. There will, however, be significant other effects — and most of them should be positive for both Pueblo and Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs Business Journal, November 14, 2008. ————— After two years of study, the Fountain Creek Vision Task Force has released its strategic plan for improving Fountain Creek. And the Army Corps of Engineers has released its Fountain Creek Watershed Study on flood-control options for the creek. Both sets of recommendations were outlines at public meetings in Pueblo on November 12, 2008, and in Colorado Springs on November 13, 2008. The meetings also included a display highlighting recommendations of the Fountain Creek Corridor Master Plan and its planned demonstration projects. The $600 million Master Plan was jointed funded by Colorado Springs Utilities and the Lower Arkansas Water Conservancy District. . . . (more) ————— Question 200, a measure that would have likely eliminated the city of Colorado Springs Stormwater Enterprise, was defeated by voters 60 percent to 40 percent Tuesday (November 4). “I have said all along that Colorado Springs voters would do the right thing,” said John Fredell, Southern Delivery System Project Director. “The continuation of the Stormwater Enterprise is good news for everyone concerned about controlling the impacts of stormwater to our community, our downstream neighbors, and to the health of Fountain Creek.”. . . (more) ————— After studying the findings in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the SDS, we’ve agreed to make some changes to our Proposed Action by blending elements of two alternatives – our Proposed Action and the Wetland Alternative –into a new hybrid alternative. The most significant changes are substituting Upper Williams Creek Reservoir for the Jimmy Camp Creek Reservoir and using a pipeline to pipe water from Upper Williams Creek to Fountain Creek. These changes protect more wetlands and eliminate impacts to cultural and paleontological sites and birds at the Jimmy Camp Creek site. We believe the changes make SDS even more sound and are a good example of how the NEPA process is working to give us a better project. ————— Based on the findings of the Draft EIS and public comments, Reclamation recently concluded additional analysis of SDS, including additional water quality studies, and has published the findings in a Supplemental Information Report. Among the findings: The additional water quality study did not reveal any major impacts from the SDS on water quality of Fountain Creek or the Lower Arkansas River. This is significant because now water quality has been analyzed using two different scientific methods and they have both drawn similar conclusions. ————— Colorado Springs has submitted an application Fremont County for a Special Review Use Permit for the Southern Delivery System project. The permit outlines Fremont County’s requirements as it relates to construction, technical issues and mitigation of impacts for projects built in their county. While our preferred alignment for SDS is a 43-mile underground pipeline originating at Pueblo Dam, Colorado Springs is concurrently pursuing a viable alternative in Fremont County. . . . (more) ————— U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar had high praise for the Fountain Creek Vision Task Force and voiced his support for Colorado Springs’ stormwater enterprise Thursday. “I think it is a testament to these communities working together,” Salazar said, referring to the diverse membership of the task force. “People are working together, and I find that the most positive thing the group has accomplished. I have all the confidence in the world that if you continue the way you have, you will be successful.” Two years ago, Salazar launched what he called the Fountain Creek Crown Jewel Project. Thursday he checked in with the task force, which has been the driving force toward that goal. “We’ve turned our backs on our rivers for too many years,” Salazar said. Salazar applauded the task force for moving toward a model adopted on the Urban Drainage District and the Greenway Foundation that turned an open sewer into an amenity for Denver and its suburbs after the 1965 flood. What’s happening now on Fountain Creek parallels that effort, Salazar said. The task force is taking steps toward a two-county authority and a Fountain Creek Foundation formed earlier this year. Pueblo Chieftain, September 5, 2008. . . . (more) ————— Reclamation, under the National Environmental Policy Act, announces the opportunity to provide additional comment on the water quality analysis portion of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Southern Delivery System. Reclamation will continue to receive comments on the existing water quality portion of the Draft EIS while the additional analysis is performed. When completed, the additional analysis will be made available for public review and comment over a 45-day period. (From Reclamation news release, August 25, 2008) Our comment: Additional study and comment are routinely done as part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. While we expect the Bureau of Reclamation will complete its work as soon as possible, we also believe it’s important for the Final EIS to be thorough and complete. We’re confident the public comment and Reclamation’s review will result in an even better project. . . . (more) ————— Colorado Springs Utilities submitted a Pueblo County 1041-land use permit application for the Southern Delivery System (SDS) project on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008. Colorado Springs’ preferred alignment for SDS is a 43-mile pipeline originating at Pueblo Dam – the most direct and cost-effective route. “This is a major step forward for the project,” said John Fredell, SDS Project Director. “A lot of resources went into putting together a comprehensive and thorough application.” . . . (more) ————— As Colorado Springs residents attempted to cope with a record heat wave in July, the community also set another record — the most water consumed for any month on record. Colorado Springs Utilities produced an estimated 4.33 billion gallons of water for its customers in July. The next highest July on record was 2001, when Colorado Springs residents consumed 4.29 billion gallons. Although there are more users today than seven years ago, usage per household has decreased significantly since 2001, in part because of good conservation practices. For the year 2007, residential water use was 93 gallons per capita per day – among the lowest on the Front Range – down from 122 gallons per capita per day in 2001 . . . (more) ————— The economic downturn has raised some questions about whether there will be a need to delay the Southern Delivery System project. The construction schedule projects SDS to go online in 2012 based upon our current customer demand forecast. As is common for any project the size of SDS, we’ll recalibrate the projected need date before construction begins. . . . (more) ————— FLORENCE – Bringing the Southern Delivery System to River Park is a 50/50 option. Florence City Manager Tom Piltingsrud discussed the possibility during the Florence City Council meeting. – Canon City Daily Record. . . . (more) ————— Draft EIS Comments Will Make SDS Better: Although the Bureau of Reclamation has official responsibility for considering public comments submitted in response to its Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the Southern Delivery System (SDS), Colorado Springs Utilities is studying the comments as well for potential ways to improve the project. . . . (more) ————— Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel questioned Rep. Mark Udall’s (D-Colorado) call for a delay in the southern Delivery System (SDS) Environmental Impact Statement stating “it would be a mistake for Colorado Springs and its partner communities (Fountain, Security and Pueblo West).” . . . (more) ————— The Colorado Springs City Council has approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Fremont County related to the permitting process for the Southern Delivery System (SDS) through that county. The Fremont County Commission unanimously approved the agreement on April 8. “This is a positive step forward for the project,” said John Fredell, SDS Project Director for Colorado Springs. The Agreement establishes an orderly process for Colorado Springs to work with Fremont County on review of proposals and reimbursement of costs incurred by Fremont County for the review of permit applications. It also states the parties will work together to identify and develop a mitigation plan that the City will implement to address impacts in Fremont County if the project is constructed there. . . . (more) ————— The Bureau of Reclamation’s decision to extend the public comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Southern Delivery System (SDS) is welcome news. “The Southern Delivery System is extremely important to the future of Colorado Springs, and the public has shown a great deal of interest in the project,” Fredell said. “Encouraging public comment is consistent with the approach we have taken throughout this process. And we hope members of the public will take advantage of the extra time to submit their comments and show their support.” . . . (more) ————— The Fremont County Commission has approved a proposed intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the City of Colorado Springs related to the potential construction of the Southern Delivery System (SDS) pipeline through their county. The agreement would establish a process for Colorado Springs to work with Fremont County on review of proposals and reimbursement of costs incurred by Fremont County for the review of permit applications associated with the Southern Delivery System . . . (more) ————— Mayor Lionel Rivera is encouraging Colorado Springs residents and businesses to submit letters to the Bureau of Reclamation supporting the Southern Delivery System (SDS). The Bureau of Reclamation has issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the project and fewer than 30 days remain to submit comments to the Bureau. To be considered, comments must be received by the Bureau by April 29. How and where to submit comments . . . (more) ————— Leaders of the four communities partnering to build SDS have come together to support the regional importance of SDS. A print ad featuring Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera, Fountain Mayor Jeri Howells, Security Water Utility Board Chair Cap Proal and Pueblo West Metro Board Chair Butch Batchelder will appear soon in local newspapers. Look for the ads to see why SDS is important to these leaders. ————— Mayor Rivera says Draft Environmental Impact Statement “important step forward”. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the Southern Delivery System (SDS) released February 29 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is “an important step toward making this critical project a reality,” says Lionel Rivera, Mayor of Colorado Springs. “We need the Southern Delivery System. Our future depends on it.” . . . . (more) ————— Colorado Springs residents won’t have to drink recycled wastewater when the city expands its water system, the Interior Department’s Bureau of Reclamation has decided. Recycling was a possibility if the federal government decided to include reuse as an alternative to Colorado Springs Utilities’ Southern Delivery System proposal to pipe water from Pueblo Reservoir. The bureau spent the past 10 months studying six reuse options but rejected all of them because of the cost, which would be twice as much as a pipeline. It also determined that reuse is “less desirable from a standpoint of public health protection,” according to the bureau’s report, issued in late December. – Source: The Gazette, Jan. 14, 2008. . . . (more) ————— Colorado Springs has filed an application in Division 2 Water Court to capture flood flows in current and future reservoirs in the Fountain Creek drainage and exchange water from releases at Pueblo Dam. The filing is an attempt to make better use of current reservoirs in Colorado Springs, as well as making more use of reservoirs proposed as part of the Southern Delivery System, said Brett Gracely, water resources manager. Source: Pueblo Chieftain, Jan. 12, 2008. . . . (more) ————— Colorado Springs has appealed a November decision by Pueblo District Court Chief Judge Dennis Maes that the city’s proposed Southern Delivery System is subject to Pueblo County land-use regulations. . Source: Pueblo Chieftain, Jan. 11, 2008. . . . (more) —————
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