HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 11/12/2019 - Memorandum From Eileen Dornfest Re: Halligan Water Supply Project Quarterly UpdateUtilities
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700 Wood Street
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.212.2900
V/TDD 711
utilities@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/utilities
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: October 29, 2019
TO: Mayor Troxell and Councilmembers
FROM: Eileen Dornfest, Special Projects Manager
THROUGH: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Kevin R. Gertig, Utilities Executive Director
Carol Webb, Utilities, Deputy Director-Water Resources & Treatment Operations
RE: Halligan Water Supply Project Quarterly Update
BOTTOM LINE
The purpose of this quarterly memo is to provide an update on the Halligan Water Supply Project
(Halligan Project).
• The draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is scheduled to be released this month
(November 2019).
• A public comment period will follow the draft EIS release and will include a public hearing
hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps).
• City staff have conducted significant community outreach in anticipation of the draft EIS
release and staff is planning to conduct outreach during the public comment period in
alignment with the Corps.
• There are certain communication protocols City staff and Councilmembers must follow
during the public comment period (attached to this memo).
Draft EIS and Public Comment Period
The draft EIS is anticipated to be released by the Corps this month. The City’s Conceptual
Mitigation Plan and Operations Plan will be released concurrently with the draft EIS. The EIS,
Conceptual Mitigation Plan, and Operations Plan will be available online through the Corps’
website. A link to the website will be provided after the documents are posted.
The public comment period is anticipated to be 45 to 60 days and will include a public hearing
held in Fort Collins and hosted by the Corps. Details about the exact EIS release date, date and
location of the public hearing, and length of the public comment period will be provided to City
Council when available.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 14C5A592-B4DF-4191-A5BA-AD27E156F190
2
City’s Role in the Draft EIS Comment Period
All comments related to the draft EIS, Conceptual Mitigation Plan, and Operations Plan must be
submitted to the Corps in order to be included in the administrative record for the Halligan Project.
During the public comment period City staff and Councilmembers may answer general questions
about the Halligan Project and can direct those interested in submitting comments to The Corps’
website. Attachment 1 summarizes the communication protocol for the public comment period.
Communications and Public Engagement
Staff has been engaged in a focused outreach process this year to educate and inform about the
project and garner project support. Attachment 2 summarizes engagement and communication
efforts to date. In the month leading up to the draft EIS release, staff is actively reaching out to
internal and external stakeholders to notify them of the public review period and public hearing.
Project Reference Materials
Attached to this memo are reference materials for the Halligan Project and the draft EIS release.
These attachments provide the following information about the Halligan Project:
• Communication protocol during the draft EIS public comment period
• Public engagement efforts to date
• Overview map of Halligan Reservoir and other water supply alternatives
• Quick facts (English and Spanish versions)
• Project Benefits
• Proposed Halligan Reservoir enlargement concept
• Mitigation concepts
In addition to the materials attached to this memo, staff prepared a project briefing book that was
provided to Councilmembers on June 6, 2019. The briefing book also contains useful reference
material about the project.
If there are any questions about the information provided in this update, please contact Eileen
Dornfest at 970-416-4296 or edornfest@fcgov.com.
Attachments:
Communication Protocol
Public Engagement by the Numbers
Overview Map
Quick Facts (English & Spanish)
Project Benefits
Proposed Enlargement Concept
Key Mitigation Concepts
CC: Water Board
DocuSign Envelope ID: 14C5A592-B4DF-4191-A5BA-AD27E156F190
Communication Protocol
for the Public Comment Period
DO
• Direct comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps).
Information about how to do so can be found at fcgov.com/halligan.
• Provide the City’s opinion.
• Answer general questions and educate about the Halligan enlargement.
DON’T
•
• Answer technical questions about the EIS or impacts of the alternatives.
Questions about Halligan Reservoir can be directed to halligan@fcgov.com.
• Host open houses.
The Corps will host a public hearing/open house in mid-December or early January.
Event details will be listed at fcgov.com/halligan-events.
• Provide the Corps’ opinion.
For more information about Halligan and to sign up for periodic email updates:
Visit fcgov.com/halligan
Email halligan@fcgov.com
Call Eileen Dornfest, 970-416-4296 or Carol Webb, 970-221-6231
DocuSign Envelope ID: 14C5A592-B4DF-4191-A5BA-AD27E156F190
Public Engagement
By the Numbers
Throughout 2019, various outreach and communication tactics have been used
to inform and educate the general public, stakeholders and City sta about the
Halligan Water Supply Project.
In addition to the above metrics, there also have been:
8 articles in the Coloradoan.
5 ads in various publications.
Social Media (reach)
Events (booth visitors)
Website (pageviews)
Emails
Meetings (attendees)
Presentations (attendees)
Mailings (recipients)
Phone Calls
Misc Reports, Memos, Etc. 41
11,530
1,849
1,731
720
426
296
89
47
DocuSign Envelope ID: 14C5A592-B4DF-4191-A5BA-AD27E156F190
Rabbit Creek North Poudre Ditch
Lone Pine Creek
Stonewall Creek
FORT COLLINS
LIVERMORE
WELLINGTON
I-25
I-25
US 287
HWY 14
Red Feather Lakes Rd.
Cache la Poudre River
HWY 14
FORT COLLINS
UTILITIES WATER
SERVICE AREA
North Fork Cache
la Poudre River
HORSETOOTH
RESERVOIR
SEAMAN
RESERVOIR
US 287
US 287
N
HALLIGAN
RESERVOIR
Calloway Diversion
Structure
CR 80C Cherokee Park Rd.
North Poudre Canal
Diversion Strucutre
Existing Pipelines
Water Treatment Facility
Water Treatment Intake
Fort Collins Utilities Diversion
stream gage
stream gage
OVERVIEW MAP
DocuSign Envelope ID: 14C5A592-B4DF-4191-A5BA-AD27E156F190
WHAT IS IT?
If approved, the Halligan Water Supply Project
will enlarge Halligan Reservoir, an existing
reservoir on the North Fork of the Poudre River,
to meet demands of future Fort Collins Utilities
customers and provide additional reliability for
current customers.
The reservoir will be expanded from about
6,400 acre-feet to roughly 14,500 acre-feet
by increasing the height of the existing 70-foot
dam by 25 feet, providing approximately
8,100 acre-feet of additional water storage.
HALLIGAN WATER
SUPPLY QUICK PROJECT FACTS
MOST PROBABLE COST
$120 million
Costs could vary between $100 million
and $150 million, depending on the
final project design, schedule and
requirements. The project is primarily
funded by water fees assessed on new
development and redevelopments.
Costs are based on information
known to date and will continue to be
refined as the project progresses.
WHY?
• Conservation has reduced water demands, but it’s not enough to provide the resiliency needed to
meet our growing service area’s needs.
• Without additional storage, future generations of Fort Collins Utilities’ water customers are
vulnerable to interruptions in water availability and delivery, particularly during emergency situations.
Uncertainties associated with climate change further drive the need for this storage.
• Utilities currently owns very little raw
water storage, only 7,100 acre-feet at
Joe Wright Reservoir, which is a lot
less storage per person than other
Front Range communities.
• Current water supply is inadequate
to meet demand without water
restrictions in the event of a
prolonged drought for the projected
population and commercial growth
within the established Fort Collins
Utilities service area.
FORT COLLINS
LIVERMORE
WELLINGTON
I-25
I-25
US 287
HWY 14
Red Feather Lakes Rd.
Cache la Poudre River
HWY 14
FORT COLLINS
UTILITIES WATER
SERVICE AREA
North Fork Cache la Poudre River
HALLIGAN
RESERVOIR
HORESETOOTH
AN ENVIRONMENTALLY
RESPONSIBLE SOLUTION
The Halligan Water Supply Project is more
than just a dam project; it’s an environmental
enhancement project. A mitigation plan has been
developed to help avoid or minimize impacts and
compensate for those that are unavoidable. A
large part of the plan focuses on improvements
to the North Fork of the Poudre River ecosystem.
PROJECT BENEFITS
The Halligan Water Supply Project:
Eileen Dornfest, Special Projects Manager
halligan@fcgov.com, 970-416-4296
Sign up online for periodic updates.
fcgov.com/halligan
HALLIGAN WATER
SUPPLY PROJECT
Will help provide a safe, reliable
water supply for future generations.
Will enhance river flows downstream
of the reservoir on the North Fork of
the Poudre, leading to fishery and
habitat improvements.
WE ARE HERE
Did You Know?
The original dam was built in 1909.
Will enlarge an existing reservoir
instead of building a new one, creating
fewer negative environmental impacts.
Will rehabilitate an aging dam that
will require repairs in the future.
Is the most cost-effective option to
meet our water storage needs.
Is a gravity-fed project—no pumping
needed—which requires no energy
or greenhouse gas emissions.
Did You Know?
The water from Horsetooth Reservoir could
fill up to 10 enlarged Halligan Reservoirs.
PROJECT STATUS
Before Halligan Reservoir can be enlarged, the project must receive federal, state and
local permits. The Halligan Water Supply Project has been in permitting since 2006.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), plans to release a draft Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) in 2019. This is the first time the Halligan expansion and
other water supply alternatives will be available for public review and comment.
Auxiliary aids and services are available for persons with disabilities. V/TDD 711.
Esta información puede ser traducida, sin costo para usted. 970-212-2900 9/19 18-20574
Anticipated Project Timeline
2006 City of Fort Collins entered
permitting process
2019 Draft EIS released for public
review and comment period
2020-2022 Final EIS and permit decision
2024-2025 Design and construction
2026 Enlarged Halligan operations
Schedule subject to change depending
on federal permitting process
DocuSign Envelope ID: 14C5A592-B4DF-4191-A5BA-AD27E156F190
¿QUÉ ES?
Si fuese aprobado, el proyecto Halligan Water Supply
Project agrandará la represa Halligan Reservoir, una
represa existente en la Bifurcación Norte del Río
Poudre, para satisfacer la demanda de los futuros
clientes de Fort Collins Utilities y proporcionar
confiabilidad adicional a los clientes actuales.
La represa será expandida de aproximadamente
6,400 acres-pies a aproximadamente 14,500 acres-pies,
agregando 25 pies de altura a la represa existente de
70 pies, proporcionando aproximadamente
8,100 acres-pies adicionales de almacenamiento de agua.
HALLIGAN WATER
SUPPLY PROJECT
Información General
¿POR QUÉ?
• La conservación ha reducido la demanda de agua, pero no es suficiente para proveer la flexibilidad
necesaria para cumplir con las necesidades de nuestra área de servicio en crecimiento.
• Sin almacenamiento adicional, las futuras generaciones de clientes de agua de Fort Collins Utilities serán
vulnerables a interrupciones de disponibilidad y entrega, particularmente durante las situaciones de emergencia.
La incertidumbre asociada con el cambio climático refuerza la necesidad de este almacenamiento.
• Fort Collins Utilities actualmente es propietario
de muy poco almacenamiento de agua
cruda, solo 7,100 acres-pies en la
represa Joe Wright Reservoir, que es
mucho menos almacenamiento por
persona que otras comunidades de
la Cordillera Frontal de Colorado.
• El abastecimiento de agua actual no será
suficiente para cumplir con la demanda
del crecimiento de la población y los
comercios proyectados dentro del área
de servicio establecido de Fort Collins
Utilities, sin generar restricciones de agua
en caso de una sequía prolongada.
FORT COLLINS
LIVERMORE
WELLINGTON
I-25
I-25
US 287
HWY 14
Red Feather Lakes Rd.
Cache la Poudre River
HWY 14
FORT COLLINS
UTILITIES WATER
SERVICE AREA
North Fork Cache la Poudre River
HALLIGAN
RESERVOIR
HORSETOOTH
RESERVOIR
SEAMAN
RESERVOIR
US 287
US 287
Represa Halligan Dam
ÁREA DE SUPERFICIE DE LA REPRESA
HALLIGAN RESERVOIR
UNA SOLUCIÓN CON
RESPONSABILIDAD AMBIENTAL
Actualmente hay múltiples proyectos de represas
ubicadas en la cuenca del Río Poudre, incluyendo
la represa Glade Reservoir (NISP) y la expansión de
la represa Seaman Reservoir. El Proyecto Halligan
es de escala substancialmente menor. Debido a
su tamaño y operación planificada, ocasionará
un impacto ambiental relativamente menor.
BENEFICIOS DEL PROYECTO
El Proyecto de Abastecimiento de Agua Halligan:
Eileen Dornfest, Gerente de Proyectos Especiales
halligan@fcgov.com, 970-416-4296
Regístrese para recibir actualizaciones
de manera periódica.
fcgov.com/halligan
HALLIGAN WATER
SUPPLY PROJECT
Ayudará a proveer un abastecimiento
de agua seguro y confiable para futuras
generaciones.
Mejorará el flujo del agua río abajo de la
represa, en la Bifurcación Norte del Río
Poudre, beneficiando la pesca y el hábitat.
ESTAMOS AQUÍ
¿Sabía usted?
Que la represa original fue construida en 1909.
Agrandará la represa existente en vez de
construir una nueva, para minimizar el
impacto ambiental.
Rehabilitará una represa antigua que
requeriría reparaciones en el futuro.
Es la opción más rentable para
satisfacer nuestras necesidades
de almacenamiento de agua.
Es un proyecto alimentado por gravedad
que no requiere bombeo, y por
consiguiente no requiere energía ni
emite gases de efecto de invernadero.
¿Sabía usted?
Que el agua de la represa Horsetooth Reservoir
podría llenar hasta 10 represas Halligan expandidas.
ESTATUS DEL PROYECTO
Antes de que la represa Halligan Reservoir pueda ser agrandada, el proyecto deberá recibir
permisos federales, estatales y locales. El Proyecto Halligan ha estado en proceso de
permisos desde el 2006. El Cuerpo de Ingenieros del Ejército de EU, planea dar a conocer
un borrador de la Declaración de Impacto Ambiental (EIS, por sus siglas en inglés) en 2019.
Esta será la primera vez que la expansión Halligan y otras alternativas de abastecimiento de
agua estarán disponibles para la revisión y comentarios públicos.
Hay ayuda y servicios disponibles para personas con discapacidades. V/TDD 711 8/19 19-21443
Línea de tiempo anticipada para el proyecto
2006 La Ciudad de Fort Collins inició
el proceso de permisos
2019 El borrador EIS se da a conocer para
un período de revisión y comentario
público
2020-2022 EIS final y decisión sobre el permiso
2024-2025 Diseño y construcción
2026 Operaciones para agrandar Halligan
Programa sujeto a cambios dependiendo
Expanding Halligan Reservoir will help
provide a safe, reliable water supply for
current and future generations of Fort
Collins Utilities water customers and
added protection from interruptions in
water availability and delivery due to
prolonged drought and emergencies.
The Halligan Reservoir expansion is a relatively small project, inundating approximately
130 additional acres of land It will be expanded to a total area of 380 acres when
complete. After enlargement, Halligan Reservoir will hold about one-tenth the volume
of Horsetooth Reservoir and be about one-fifth the area. Unlike Halligan, the other
alternatives being considered require significant additional infrastructure, including
pipelines, pump stations and pre-treatment facilities.
The project is the most cost-effective
alternative identified to meet Fort Collins
Utilities’ water storage and supply needs.
The current cost estimate indicates water
will be supplied at about $14,500 per acre-
foot, which is less expensive than other
water sources in the Front Range. Costs
may increase as project details are refined.
The draft Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) will provide a comparison of costs for
all the water storage alternatives considered
and is anticipated to be released in 2019.
BENEFITS
18-20574
Due to existing reservoir operations, the
North Fork of the Poudre River runs dry at
times (above left). This disconnected river
system results in a stressed and unhealthy
aquatic habitat. If expanded, reservoir
operations will ensure minimum flows in
the river year-round, restoring basic river
functions. These improvements will provide
a more natural and connected environment,
benefiting the entire North Fork watershed.
MORE INFORMATION
Sign up online for periodic updates.
fcgov.com/halligan
Eileen Dornfest, Special Projects Manager
halligan@fcgov.com, 970-416-4296
Auxiliary aids and services are available for persons with disabilities. V/TDD: 711
Esta información puede ser traducida, sin costo para usted. 970-212-2900
COST-EFFECTIVE
AN ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE
SOLUTION
A SAFE, RELIABLE
WATER SUPPLY
Unlike other alternatives considered
to meet our water supply needs, the
expanded Halligan Reservoir will be
gravity-fed and no pumping will be
required to convey water to or from the
reservoir. Because of this, no additional
greenhouse gases will be emitted, which
is consistent with the City of Fort Collins’
climate action goals.
NO PUMPING
REQUIRED
PROPOSED ENLARGEMENT CONCEPT
6280
6300
6320
6340
6360
6380
6400
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80
ELEVATION, FT
DISTANCE, FT
PROPOSED WATER LEVEL
EXISTING WATER LEVEL
6’
EXISTING DAM
PROPOSED DAM
0.4
1
FOUNDATION OF EXISTING DAM
EXCAVATION
DocuSign Envelope ID: 14C5A592-B4DF-4191-A5BA-AD27E156F190
Calloway
Diversion
Structure
LIVERMORE
US 287
Cache la Poudre River
HWY 14
North Fork Cache la Poudre River
HALLIGAN
RESERVOIR
Red Feather Lakes Rd
North Poudre
Canal Diversion
Structure
N
SEAMAN
RESERVOIR
KEY MITIGATION CONCEPTS
PUBLIC RECREATION
Fort Collins Utilities is considering
opening a portion of Halligan
Reservoir and the north shoreline
to seasonal fishing access.
CULTURAL AND
PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Surveys will be conducted prior to construction and
plans will be developed to protect identified
resources.
OTHER CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS
• Revegetation
• Restoration of disturbed areas and access roads
• Traffic, stormwater and noxious weed control
WILDLIFE AND SPECIAL STATUS
SPECIES
Impacts to wildlife and special status species will be
mitigated by minimizing the project’s footprint and
restoring or enhancing degraded habitat along the
North Fork or on Roberts Ranch.
WATER QUALITY
Design of the raised dam would include a multilevel
outlet tower.
AIR QUALITY
A plan will be developed to control dust and other
air emissions during construction.
INUNDATED WETLANDS & RIPARIAN RESOURCES
Restoration or enhancement of degraded wetlands and riparian habitat
along North Fork or Robert’s Ranch land under conservation easement.
FISH HABITAT IMPROVEMENT
Two potential options are being considered
for fish habitat restoration:
• Retrofit of the existing North Poudre Canal
diversion to allow fish bypass and increase
connectivity
• Reintroduction of a pure-strain greenback
cutthroat trout in a 6-mile stretch below
Halligan Reservoir
MITIGATION APPROACH
Target degraded and unprotected
areas near Halligan and along
the North Fork
Focus on improvement
of whole systems
Look for opportunities
to create partnerships
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
MITIGATION PROCESS
Avoid Impacts
Minimize Impacts
Provide
Compensatory
Mitigation
NORTH FORK HABITAT
IMPROVEMENT
The Halligan Water Supply Project
is designed to:
• Establish minimum flows in the North Fork
year-round
• Create a peak flow bypass program to bypass
diversions to allow critical flushing flows
• Includes an environmental pool to augment low
river flows until full reservoir capacity is needed
DocuSign Envelope ID: 14C5A592-B4DF-4191-A5BA-AD27E156F190
INCREASED FLOWS
AND HABITAT
IMPROVEMENTS
.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 14C5A592-B4DF-4191-A5BA-AD27E156F190
del proceso de permisos federales.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 14C5A592-B4DF-4191-A5BA-AD27E156F190
Área de superficie existente (253 acres)
Área de superficie incrementada (383 acres)
N
COSTO MÁS PROBABLE
$120 millones
Los costos pueden variar entre $100 millones
y $150 millones, dependiendo del diseño
final del proyecto, el tiempo programado
y los requisitos. El proyecto es financiado
principalmente por las cuotas de agua
aplicadas a los nuevos desarrollos y a
renovaciones o reurbanización. Los costos se
basan en información que se conoce hasta
la fecha y continuarán siendo refinados
durante el transcurso del proyecto.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 14C5A592-B4DF-4191-A5BA-AD27E156F190
RESERVOIR
SEAMAN
RESERVOIR
US 287
US 287
HALLIGAN RESERVOIR SURFACE AREA
Halligan Dam
Existing Surface Area (253 acres)
Enlarged Surface Area (383 acres)
N
DocuSign Envelope ID: 14C5A592-B4DF-4191-A5BA-AD27E156F190