From The Pueblo Chieftain (Chris Woodka):
developed for the conduit and a master storage contract being sought by the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District. The report lays out a timetable to develop and analyze alternatives for the conduit and develop a draft EIS by the end of next year. Public hearings on the EIS are scheduled for early 2012. The record of decision, which will choose the preferred route for the conduit, would be complete by December 2012 or January 2013, under current plans…
The EIS will differ from past studies of water in the Arkansas River basin by taking into account cumulative impacts of water projects and the possibility of climate change over the next 50 years. Issues identified as important during public meetings in August include water quality, environmental justice, invasive species, wetlands and water conservation…
The 135-mile conduit could follow any of four alignments, and would provide between 14 million and 20 million gallons per day. The master contract for excess-capacity storage would be for 40 years, the maximum time frame under Reclamation policy. Between 28,000 to 32,000 acre-feet would be stored.