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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNatural Resources Advisory Board - Minutes - 03/04/1987MINUTES CITY OF FORT COLLINS NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD MARCH 4, 1987 7:00 p.m. Board Members Present: Suzanne Bassinger Denise LaRue Scott Duncan Ari Michelsen Gil Fechner Pat Reed Bill Fischer Pat Sousa Tim Johnson Board Members Absent (excused): Dave Dubois Bob Sanz Staff Present: Bob Wilkinson Edith Felchle Brian Woodruff Approval of Minutes Minutes of the February meeting were unanimously approved as submitted. Committee Reports Legislative Review -- Fischer asked Woodruff to report on recent legislative developments. Woodruff reported on bills dealing with oxygenated fuels and underground storage tanks. Oxygenated Fuela -- HB1115 gives the Legislature authority to regulate fuels. The bill would delay the effective date of any fuels program until next summer, to give the Legisla- ture time for review. The City has taken a position against this bill. The reason for this position is to allow the Air Quality Commission to proceed with their own oxygenated fuels bill if they choose to. It was requested that NRAB be kept apprised of action. Underground Storage Tanks -- A bill proposing state authority in underground tank matters is being considered. The bill originally included a section that would give the State Health Department authority to enforce clean-up. This section is being removed from the Bill. If the bill passes this way, the City could still develop its own authorizing enforcement of clean-up. This in fact is what Council will probably request. Woodruff will testify on this bill 3/5. Woodruff also reported on wood combustion matters. This is City staff level work, not legislation. Staff will present a woodburning program to Council in three months. So that NRAB can consider and have in -put into the program, it will be pre- sented at the April NRAB meeting. There was some discussion about NRAB involvement in decisions on the woodburning program. It was suggested that the matter be referred to the Air Quality 11 • Committee. There was discussion regarding having a Work — session to invite public in —put. Education/Information -- A reference list of natural resource interest groups will be sent out in March. Recycling -- LaRue reported that a local recycler had called her and expressed concern about the City's curbside recycling plan. He was afraid the City's program would put him out of bus— iness. Wilkinson gave a brief update on the program. It was stated that the recycler should actually get more business as a result of increased awareness in the community but curb— side pick—up would only be available to only a small percentage of residents. Cache Is Poudre Water and Power Project Karl Dreher, Project Manager for the Northern Colorado Water Conser— vancy District, presented the Poudre Project. The project is a major water storage project for northern Colorado. Of the three reservoirs associated with the project, the smallest is related to power generation. Reservoirs for supplemental water supplies are needed because of the lack of water in this area and because the area is severely affected by drought cycles. A drought in the late 170's almost emptied Horsetooth Reservoir. The only way to provide water for drought periods is to construct large reservoirs. During the '70's drought, the water council recommended additional water storage in the Poudre Basin. In response to the oft raised issue of the Poudre being the last naturally flowing river, Dreher stated that the Poudre is not a naturally flowing river but a very highly managed river. During wild and scenic negotia— tions, Hank Brown and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District worked out a compromise which leaves two gaps, or undesignated areas, for water storage. Among the project's advantages would be flood protection for Fort Collins, provided by the main stem dam. Excluding transmission facilities, the project is expected to cost $1.5 billion. It will produce revenue for water supply through power sale. Energy Resource Development Associates is an organization which saw an upcoming need for energy and proposed a transmission facility to sell energy to other parts of the U.S. It is projected that Texas, the Dakotas, southern California, and part of southern Nevada will have an energy shortage by the early 19901s. Under some projections, Colorado could face power shortages in the 1990's. The bonds to fund the project would be secured by revenue from sale of electricity, not by taxes. The project would impact deer habitat in the Glade. The District is looking at alternatives available to the deer. 0 The District is trying to work out funding problems. The project will not happen if funding cannot be secured. Environmental Management Plan Because of the lateness of the hour, Wilkinson gave a very abbreviated update of the Environmental Management Plan, discussing planned map overlays with related maps (drainage, recreation, etc.) A major program presentation will be made at the April NRAB meeting. Review of Parks & Recreation Board Meeting Michelsen reported that EDAW presented plans they had developed for the Parks & Recreation Department relative to open space. Proposed parks and open space areas appear to coordinate well with DNR plans. Wilkinson suggested the Parks & Recreation Board be invited to the April NRAB meeting to hear DNR's Environmental Management Plan presentation. Miscellaneous Michelsen stated he chose not to bring up the issue while our guest speaker was present, but he is aware of numerous gas —fired electric power projects which Dreher didn't acknowledge. These could affect demand, or lack thereof, for power from the Poudre Project. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.