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
Denver Water statement on seeking dismissal of its appeal of 1041 case
July 29, 2020 - A year ago, Denver Water submitted an application with Boulder County to begin the 1041 process related to the Gross Reservoir expansion. At the same time, we sought clarity in the courts on whether the expansion was subject to that process. Boulder...
Final federal approval secured for Gross Reservoir Expansion Project
DENVER — July 17, 2020 — Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ordered Denver Water to proceed with design and construction to expand Gross Reservoir in Boulder County. Seventeen years ago, Denver Water began the federal environmental permitting process that...
Virtual Appointment Booking
Have you heard that the Gross Reservoir Expansion Project now offers virtual one-on-one appointments? Due to continued social distancing guidelines, we are not able to host our regular office hours at our public information yurt this year. However, we would still love...
Notice of utility locate survey work on Gross Dam Road
Beginning May 25, Lamb-Star Engineering, LLC, through a subcontract with Stantec and Denver Water, as part of Stantec’s work on roadway design for safety improvements of Gross Dam Road will be completing utility location surveys along Gross Dam Road. This work will...