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.
- Denver Water expects to receive the License Amendment by the end of 2019.
Latest News / Blog
New technologies under review
The trees removed from the expanded reservoir may have a new life as “biochar,” improving soil for plants. Denver Water TAP - Expanding a reservoir has a lot of challenges, among them dealing with the trees and bushes that must be removed. Leaving this biomass in...
read moreSuccessful 2018 yurt season
With the sun drifting ever lower in the sky and the brilliant colors of fall a pleasant memory, the 2018 season for the Gross Reservoir Expansion’s Public Information Yurt has come to a successful finish. It was a great year marked by constructive two-way...
read moreRequest for Letter of Interest and Statement of Qualifications for independent cost estimates
Denver Water is soliciting information from independent consultants regarding their experience and capabilities to provide Independent Cost Estimates for heavy civil projects utilizing the Construction Manager/General Contractor project delivery method. For more...
read moreRequest for Qualifications for Construction Manager/General Contractor
Denver Water is seeking qualifications from firms interested in providing Construction Manager/General Contractor services for the Gross Reservoir Expansion Project. For more information, click here.
read more