Watch VideoColorado Springs gets support to build massive pipeline from Pueblo
Story By: David Ortiviz
Source: KOAA
The debate continues over a billion dollar pipeline project affecting every community from Pueblo to Colorado Springs. The Bureau of Reclamation announced Friday it supports building the pipeline from the Pueblo reservoir straight north to the east side of Colorado Springs.
This announcement is a victory for leaders in Colorado Springs, but it's not the plan the Sierra Club liked.
The Bureau of Reclamation has been studying six routes for the massive Southern Delivery System pipeline. In a draft report just released, the bureau supports a proposal by Colorado Springs to pump water from the Lake Pueblo to new storage reservoirs in their backyard.
"We weren't surprised. I think we've been making it clear all along that the proposed action did not have unreasonable environmental impacts," said John Fredell, Project Manager for the Southern Delivery System.
The Bureau of Reclamation says this plan is the cheapest, and uses the least amount of energy to operate.
"We're pleased like I said it an important milestone the development of the EIS, is taken a number of years, and we're really along in the process and we're on schedule," said Fredell.
But the Sierra Club in Pueblo is concerned about the project, which could break ground as soon as next year. "We're deeply concerned that the impact of this pipeline inevitably lead to more deterioration in the water quality in Fountain Creek unless steps are taken now to make sure that doesn't happen," said Ross Vincent, Senior Policy Advisor for the Sierra Club.
The alternative favored by some in Pueblo, is to locate the pipeline downstream by the confluence of the Arkansas River and Fountain Creek, instead of the reservoir.
"That way the water quality will be affected by what comes down Fountain Creek, and Colorado Springs will have an incentive to keep that water cleaner," said Vincent. "And that makes a lot of sense to me. Conceptually it makes a lot of sense. If the Bureau of Reclamation doesn't think that's a good idea. They're going to have to do a very good job of explaining why," he added.
The public now has 60 days to comment on this report and the Bureau of Reclamation also plans to hold public meetings before any decisions are made about what route to take.
You can read the full Environmental Impact Statement here.
