News Release Archive

Reclamation Invites Public Comment on AVC

Media Contact: Kara Lamb, (970 962-4326, 08/10/2010 06:00

For Release: August 10, 2010

LOVELAND, Colo. - The Bureau of Reclamation is holding a public comment process and series of public open houses on the proposed Arkansas Valley Conduit and Long-Term Excess Capacity Master Contract.

The public comment period will open July 30 and close September 13, 2010. During this time, Reclamation is accepting public comments and will host five meetings:

  • Monday, August 16: Salida Community Center, 305 F Street, Salida, Colo.
  • Tuesday, August 17: Koshare Indian Museum, 115 W. 18th Street, La Junta, Colo.
  • Wednesday, August 18: Lamar Community Center, 610 South 6th Street, Lamar, Colo.
  • Thursday, August 19: Lorraine Education and Community Center, 301 E. Iowa Ave, Fountain, Colo.
  • Thursday, August 19: Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, 31717 United Avenue, Pueblo Colo.

Each open house will consist of informational displays, a brief presentation and opportunities for providing comments. They will run from 6:30-8 p.m., with the exception of the Fountain meeting which will be held from 1-3 in the afternoon.

The Arkansas Valley Conduit is a feature of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project. It would provide treated water to communities in southeastern Colorado. The Excess Capacity Master Contract would be a long-term contract issued by Reclamation to the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District for storage of water in Pueblo Reservoir.

Reclamation is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. Public comments help Reclamation identify: (1) issues relevant to the proposal; (2) elements of the environment that could be affected by the proposal; and (3) possible alternatives to the proposal.

Written comments on the scope of the project should be provided via regular mail, fax or e-mail. Please address comments to the attention of Ms. J. Signe Snortland, Environmental Specialist, Bureau of Reclamation, P.O. Box 1017, Bismarck, ND 58502-1017, fax: (701) 250-4326, e-mail: jsnortland@usbr.gov. Additional information is also available at www.usbr.gov/avceis/.

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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:

Eastern Colorado Area Office Home Page