Gross Reservoir Expansion Project
Environmental Review Process
As a federally permitted project, the purpose, need and environmental impacts of the project have been vetted through almost a decade of research. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released the Final Environmental Impact Statement in 2014 that details project mitigation measures and addresses public comment received after publication of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Like many water supply projects, there are a number of permits at the federal, state and local level that are needed before construction can begin:
401 Certification
- Also a component of the Clean Water Act of 1972, 401 Certification is a process handled at the state level. In the case of the Gross Reservoir Expansion Project, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is responsible for evaluating the impacts of and ensuring water quality associated with this project.
- Secured: June 2016
Record of Decision and 404 Permit
- A major responsibility of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is administering the permitting program under Section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, also known as the Clean Water Act. Permit review and authorization is a thoughtful and lengthy process that encourages avoidance of impacts, followed by minimizing impacts and, finally, requiring mitigation for unavoidable impacts to the aquatic environment.
- 404 Permit
- Secured: July 2017
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Hydropower License Amendment
- The Gross Reservoir Dam includes a 7.6 mW hydropower unit, which is licensed for operation by FERC. Under the Federal Power Act, FERC has exclusive authority to license non-federal hydropower projects. The amendment of license process requires that FERC address both the economics and engineering issues and the potential environmental and socioeconomic effects of project development and operation.
- Secured: July 2020
Latest News / Blog
Federal Lawsuit Dismissal Order
April 1, 2021 - Today’s decision is an important step. We will continue working earnestly through Boulder’s land-use process and look forward to beginning work on a project critical to water security for 1½ million people and to our many partners on the Front Range...
Denver Water submits response to agency and public comments on 1041 Permit Application
Denver Water received referral agency and public comments on its 1041 Permit Application from Boulder County on December 23, 2020. On February 19, 2021, Denver Water completed and filed its response to referral agency and public comments to Boulder County. Additional...
Gross Reservoir Expansion Proposal Presents Water Demand, Environmental Concerns
Law Week Colorado - Nov. 24, 2020 - "... the agreement obligates Denver Water to reduce diversions during drought years. “The project itself was shaped and designed to avoid damaging or affecting flows in the driest of years,” he said. “The project will only take...
Osprey Point Closure
Nov. 30, 2020 - Beginning the week of Nov. 30, Denver Water will be performing a safety project at the Osprey Point boat ramp at Gross Reservoir. This project will remove unstable rock at the boat ramp to ensure a safe environment for the public and Denver Water...