[BoulderCouncilHotline] Additional request for tonight’s meeting

[Grano, Jill]

Dear Hotline followers,

Yesterday I requested that staff come prepared to discuss in detail the additional time the “Upstream Option” will add to our flood mitigation efforts. That post is copied below this email for reference.

I realize this is last minute, but I would like to make one additional request: Our packet explains that the diversion structure proposed in the “Upstream Option” would run through the Prebles Jumping Mouse endangered species habitat (packet 4A, page 27). Our packet does not go into detail, however, about what this implies. My understanding is that at the July 16, 2018 Water Resources Advisory Board (WRAB) meeting, an environmental permitting expert stated that obtaining permits under the Endangered Species Act could cost millions and take up to a year (this was one of the reasons, along with the likelihood of delay, that WRAB unanimously voted against recommending the “Upstream Option” - audio clip of WRAB motion attached for reference).

My request, if possible at this late minute: Can staff or the consultant (or their permitting expert) please provide us with additional information about permitting under the Endangered Species Act?  I would like to understand more about what this implies in terms of cost, timeline, and what the diversion structure implies for the Prebles Jumping Mouse habitat.

Thank you,

Jill Adler Grano
Boulder City Council
303-917-6810

“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high. Where knowledge is free. Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls. Where words come out from the depth of truth. Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection. Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary sand of dead habit. Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever widening thought and action. Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake.” - Tagore

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From: "Grano, Jill" <GranoJ at bouldercolorado.gov<mailto:GranoJ at bouldercolorado.gov>>
Date: August 6, 2018 at 5:34:17 PM MDT
To: HOTLINE <HOTLINE at bouldercolorado.gov<mailto:HOTLINE at bouldercolorado.gov>>
Subject: [BoulderCouncilHotline] Request for Staff concerning tomorrow's discussion on South Boulder Creek flood mitigation

Dear Hotline Followers,



In preparation for the meeting tomorrow night regarding South Boulder Creek flood mitigation, I would like to make a request of staff: I am concerned about the timeline involved if Council does not pick just one option to move forward with into the preliminary design phase. Specifically, I am concerned that there will be substantial delays that will leave thousands of Boulder citizens in danger if we do not pick one option to move forward with.  My understanding is that the "Upstream Option" could require (at least): 1. New objectives to be determined; 2. A new public process (given that this has not been part of the public process that we already went through); 3. Another round of 3 different Board approvals; 4. Another City Council public hearing and deliberation. My request:  1. Will staff please come prepared to talk about the specific steps that studying the "Upstream Option" will add to the process (versus picking just one of the recommended options) and; 2. Will staff also please come prepared with a best guess at the specific amount of time that studying the "Upstream Option" would add to the process (versus picking just one of the recommended options)?  Is it possible to also answer the question of how much a study like this would cost?



Finally, flood mitigation cannot happen at all without working in partnership with the landowner.  That said, in an ideal world we would also hear from the landowner as to whether the "Upstream Option" is something that they will agree to.



Warmly,



Jill Adler Grano

Boulder City Council

granoj at bouldercolorado.gov<mailto:granoj at bouldercolorado.gov>

303-917-6810






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