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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)
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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)
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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)
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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
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Council Chambers, Colorado Springs City Hall,
107 N. Nevada Ave.
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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
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Colorado Springs City Hall, 107 N. Nevada
Ave.
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.
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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)
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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.
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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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