Update: Here’s a report from Chris Woodka writing for The Pueblo Chieftain. From the article:
The Bureau of Reclamation will be taking samples of rock and earth as part of an Environmental Impact Study for the Arkansas Valley Conduit and a master storage contract for the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District….
A Reclamation crew will use a truck-mounted, heavy duty drill rig to sample ground on about 1,600 parcels up to 120 feet deep. While most are on public rights of way, some are on private property, and Reclamation will contact landowners and provide a right-of-entry form, said Kara Lamb, spokeswoman for Reclamation.
Here’s the release from the Bureau of Reclamation (Kara Lamb):
Reclamation drill crews will begin geotechnical investigations from Pueblo to Lamar, Colo. in early May. The drill crews will be collecting soil and rock samples along the possible routes of the proposed Arkansas Valley Conduit, a water project being evaluated by Reclamation.
The investigations are part of the surveying research Reclamation is conducting for its preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement. This environmental document will evaluate three proposed federal actions: the proposed Arkansas Valley Conduit; an interconnection between the north and south outlets works of Pueblo Reservoir; and a possible long-term excess capacity Master Contract with Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District to store water in Pueblo Reservoir.
Drilling for geotechnical surveying is performed by Reclamation’s Great Plains Regional Geology and Exploration crew. The crew operates a truck mounted CME-85 rig for drilling up to 120 feet below the ground surface to collect samples of rock and earth. The samples are then tested for standard physical properties that will help determine design requirements for the Arkansas Valley Conduit.
While most of the 1600 parcels to be surveyed are in public right-of-ways, some may be on private land. In those cases, Reclamation will contact property owners and provide them with an explanatory letter and a Right of Entry form.
To learn more about the proposed Arkansas Valley Conduit, proposed Master Contract, and the related environmental review process, please visit: www.usbr.gov/avceis. Media is invited to contact Kara Lamb, Reclamation Public Information Officer, for follow-up questions at (970) 062-4326 or klamb@usbr.gov.