Post-1989 General Power Marketing Criteria and Allocation Criteria for Loveland-Fort Collins Area: Environmental Assessment

摘要

To effectively utilize the individual resources of the (P-SMPB-WD) and (Fry-Ark projects), post-1989 power marketing criteria are being developed by Western to guide the process of contracting for Federal hydroelectric resources in the post-1989 time frame. In preparation for establishing the post-1989 marketing criteria, Western undertook a series of studies related to quantifying post-1989 water systems operations and hydropower capabilities of the P-SMBP-WD and Fry-Ark projects. These studies were undertaken jointly with the Bureau of Reclamation (BuRec), which is responsible for operation of the reservoirs and water delivery features of the projects. These studies were directed towards updating the hydrology of the post-1989 time frame, quantifying the capacity and energy which would be available, and identifying classes of service to market the available hydroelectric resources. To solicit public comment and allow sufficient lead time for customer power planning, LFCAO initiated a public participation phase of the criteria development. A number of environmental issues related to hydrology, fish and wildlife, and economics were raised during the public review of the draft criteria. This environmental assessment (EA) is being prepared to evaluate the proposed action and alternatives in light of these issues. (115 refs., 32 figs., 98 tabs).