{"id":431,"date":"2025-04-21T15:32:39","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T15:32:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sewellconsultancy.com\/?p=431"},"modified":"2025-04-30T10:34:57","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T10:34:57","slug":"denver-waters-gross-dam-project-violates-federal-law-letters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.sewellconsultancy.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/21\/denver-waters-gross-dam-project-violates-federal-law-letters\/","title":{"rendered":"Denver Water\u2019s Gross Dam project violates federal law (Letters)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Gross Dam project violates federal law<\/h4>\n

Re: “Stopping the Gross Dam project will only hurt Denver<\/a>,” April 13 editorial<\/p>\n

Your editorial board seriously mischaracterizes the judicial process by describing a federal judge’s ruling as a “procedural quibble.” The fact is that the Army Corps of Engineers seriously violated the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Protection Act when it issued its permit. These acts of Congress are designed to protect the public interest and the environment.<\/p>\n

The 86-page ruling was issued after careful consideration by a senior judge. It thoroughly details the many ways that Denver Water tried to game the system, and how the Army Corps failed in its oversight by issuing a permit with inadequate consideration given to a long list of less environmentally damaging practical alternatives. This is far from a “procedural quibble!”<\/p>\n

Denver Water initially said it needed to expand Gross Reservoir because more water was required to address increased demand. However, they changed their story when their own conservation efforts showed a 22% decrease in use (in spite of population growth) over 14 years. Denver Water then said it needed to address an imbalance in its water supply.<\/p>\n

The water for Gross Reservoir is pulled from a tributary of the Colorado River, an already highly strained resource. The likelihood of filling the expanded Gross Reservoir in the coming years, especially during drought, is extremely low. Denver Water has the capacity to find a 21st-century solution that addresses its concerns while also being environmentally sound and responsive to climate change.<\/p>\n

Scott Engle, Boulder<\/em><\/p>\n

Your editorial states, \u201cIt is not the duty of the Army Corps to find a \u2026 solution to Denver\u2019s water needs, only one that satisfies federal law\u2026\u201d This is true. The federal court ruling clearly says the Corps and Denver Water did not meet this requirement. Actions found by the court are extensive and serious. They are plainly spelled out in court documents.<\/p>\n

I live near Gross Reservoir. I would like to explain the reasons for the lawsuit. Dam construction is underway. Environmental damage to the reservoir\u2019s east side has already occurred. We accept this; the damage is permanent. We want remedies for the agency\u2019s deficient actions to prevent further environmental damage around the reservoir and to the Western Slope rivers due to ongoing construction and operation of the expanded reservoir.<\/p>\n

Current dam-raise construction is approaching the 340-foot height of the original dam. The judge\u2019s remedy orders the dam raise to be halted when it reaches the top of the original dam. Additional construction activities will stabilize the dam to provide safe, ongoing operations at the original height. Site restoration activities will be completed.<\/p>\n

We want to halt further damage to western Boulder County, including the removal of 500,0000 trees, and prevent impacts on wildlife. More importantly, we are fighting to halt further diversions from the Western Slope headwaters of the Colorado River to protect these already severely depleted rivers.<\/p>\n

Our focus should be on conservation \u2013 recycling single-use water and recharging underground aquifers. Expanding reservoirs is not the answer.<\/p>\n