OMAHA, Neb. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in cooperation with the city of Greeley, will hold a public meeting on Monday, Apr. 21 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Rodarte Center, 920 A Street in Greeley, Colo. to solicit comments on a draft feasibility study report and environmental assessment that identifies alternatives for flood risk management and ecosystem restoration within a 17-mile reach of the Cache la Poudre River, near Greeley. There will be a formal presentation at 6:30 p.m. followed by a question and answer session.
“Several nonstructural measures to address flood risk management appear to be feasible, including elevating houses, wet and dry flood proofing commercial structures, and constructing a floodwall around three Weld County buildings in Greeley,” said Steve Rothe, project manager. “Opportunities to increase critical habitat for migratory birds and other native species along eight miles of the study area are also discussed in the draft report,” according to Rothe.
The draft report is available for viewing at: http://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Planning/EnvironmentalPlanning/DraftDocuments.aspx and hardcopies will be available at libraries in Greeley. Comments may be submitted at the public meeting or via email to: cenwo-planning@usace.army.mil. Comments can also be mailed to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District; CENWO-PM-AA; ATTN: Greeley Draft Feasibility Report/EA; 1616 Capitol Avenue; Omaha, NE 68102-4901 and must be postmarked or received no later than May 15, 2014.
BACKGROUND: Greeley is located on the high plains of northern Colorado, approximately 15 miles east of the Front Range and 55 miles northeast of Denver. The Cache la Poudre River originates in the Rocky Mountains, flows across the plains and passes along the north side of Greeley, before merging into the South Platte River just east of Greeley.
The primary flood risk management problem in and near Greeley is that hundreds of residential and nonresidential structures and infrastructure are vulnerable to damage from recurring flooding of the Cache la Poudre River, and flooding is expected to increase in both frequency and severity in the future.
The primary ecosystem problems along the Cache la Poudre River near Greeley are the loss and degradation of wetlands and riparian habitat, thus diminishing habitat for migratory birds and other native species. These problems are expected to grow due to population growth and commercial development in the future.
The draft feasibility report and EA are consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Council on Environmental Quality’s regulations for implementing NEPA (40 CFR 1500-1508), the Corps’ regulations for implementing NEPA (33 CFR 325 and Engineering Regulation 200-2-2) and other applicable environmental laws and regulations.