97-8020. Environmental Impact Statement, Black Hawk, Colorado

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 61 (Monday, March 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15165-15166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8020]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Corps of Engineers


Environmental Impact Statement, Black Hawk, Colorado

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Cancellation of Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The Corps is issuing this notice to inform the public that an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will not be prepared for the 
proposed

[[Page 15166]]

water supply project in Black Hawk, Colorado. A Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an EIS was published in the Federal Register on December 28, 
1994. Recently the City has proposed to pursue an alternative that will 
allow them to develop a new water supply system that does not require a 
Federal permit. Therefore, an EIS is not required.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the cancellation of 
the EIS should be directed to: Ms. Candace Thomas, Chief, Environmental 
Analysis Branch, Planning Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 215 
North 17th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68102-4978; phone [phone]; 
fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Since the implementation of Limited Stakes 
Gaming in November 1990, the City of Black Hawk has experienced 
substantial growth and increased demands for water. The limited amount 
of water available at the existing diversion points and in North Clear 
Creek is a major constraint to projected growth. The City notified the 
Corps that it intended to apply for a Section 404 permit for 
construction of a new water supply system in waters of the United 
States. The requirement for a Corps 404 permit triggered compliance 
with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA requires that 
whenever a major Federal action would result in significant impacts to 
the human environment that an EIS be prepared. A Draft EIS was in the 
process of being prepared by the Corps. During the NEPA process several 
alternatives were evaluated. Recently the City has discovered an 
alternative that will allow them to develop a new water supply system 
that does not require a Section 404 permit. Because the 404 process was 
the only Federal nexus, there is now no requirement for NEPA 
compliance. Therefore, the EIS process has been terminated. The current 
plan involves the withdrawal of water from Clear Creek at the Hidden 
Valley exit on Interstate 70 east of Idaho Springs, Colorado. An 
infiltration gallery, pump station, and pipeline can be constructed 
without a permit from the Corps.
Gregory D. Showalter,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-8020 Filed 3-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-62-M