News Release Archive

Reclamation Announces Draft EA on Aurora Contract

Media Contact: Kara Lamb, (970) 962-4326, klamb@gp.usbr.gov
Mark Andersen, mandersen@gp.usbr.gov

For Release: September 22, 2006

Reclamation has released its Draft Environmental Assessment on Aurora's requested long-term contract for storage and exchange in Pueblo Reservoir. The public is invited to review and comment on the draft assessment. The deadline for comments is Thursday, November 9, 2006.

Reclamation has prepared the Draft EA under the National Environmental Policy Act. The document addresses earlier public comments and explains potential impacts of the proposed contract. A public meeting to introduce the Draft EA will be held Monday, October 16. Location and time to be announced.

The City of Aurora's Utility Enterprise is requesting a long-term storage, exchange and conveyance contract. The contract would help Aurora move its Arkansas River water rights and leased water from the Arkansas Basin to the South Platte Basin as well as help Aurora more efficiently manage its water. The contract would be for up to 40 years and would provide storage and exchange of non-Fryingpan-Arkansas project water in Pueblo Reservoir, when space is available.

To view the Draft EA and related reports, including a list of libraries that have copies of the Draft EA, please visit: www.usbr.gov/gp/nepa/quarterly.cfm. To obtain a paper or CD copy of the report, please contact Kara Lamb at either (970) 962-4326 or at klamb@gp.usbr.gov.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

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