Army Department November 18, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Omaha District is preparing a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the direct, indirect and cumulative effects of enlarging the Rueter-Hess Reservoir, currently under construction in Parker, CO. The current project was authorized in February 2004 with Corps Permit 199980472. The basic purpose of the proposed action is the same as defined in the original EIS, which is to provide a safe, adequate and sustainable municipal water supply to Parker Water and Sanitation District (PWSD), Parker, CO that is capable of meeting the peak demands for the District's service area for the next 50 years. In addition, the purpose for enlarging the reservoir is to provide peaking storage of Denver Basin groundwater for selected South Metro Denver area water providers and to assist in sustaining the Denver Basin Aquifer. The construction of the proposed project would result in additional temporary and permanent impacts to wetlands and other Waters of the United States, requiring a new section 404 permit. To familiarize the public and interested organizations with the project and potential environmental issues that may be involved; the Corps has prepared a Scoping Document for the project. This document includes a project description, preliminary list of alternatives and various environmental/resource issues that will be addressed in the Supplemental EIS. Copies of the Scoping Document will be available at the public scoping meetings or can be requested by mail. The Supplemental EIS will be prepared according to the Corps' procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), and consistent with the Corps' policy to facilitate public understanding and review of agency proposals.