Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wildhorse Reservoir Permitting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Aurora pauses Wildhorse land acquisitions while BLM, tribes and NEPA process continue
Summary
City staff said land purchases for the Wildhorse reservoir project are on hold while the Bureau of Land Management's NEPA review and tribal site evaluations continue; staff said five small parcels slated for condemnation negotiations are paused and that tribes, wetlands and socioeconomic studies are underway.
Aurora City staff told the Water Policy Committee on Wednesday that land acquisitions for the proposed Wildhorse reservoir are paused while permitting and federal reviews continue.
Staff said the city still hopes the Bureau of Land Management will begin a notice‑of‑intent phase early next year, but federal rule changes and the ongoing NEPA regulatory review mean timelines and procedures remain uncertain. "We're still on schedule so far based on the conversation we had last time and are still hoping for a notice of intent process to get started early next year," staff member Sarah said.
Why it matters: staff said the NEPA process will include analysis of a proposed action plus alternatives, and that the BLM will evaluate wetlands, natural resources and socioeconomic impacts for each alternative. Staff said between seven and nine tribes have expressed interest in participating in on‑site evaluations in the coming months.
Land acquisitions paused: staff said the city had been negotiating for a "handful" of small parcels (five parcels) that would have required condemnation steps; those negotiations are paused while the city confirms the selected project area with the BLM.
Costs and delays: committee members asked staff to track the financial impacts of permitting delays. Staff agreed to track costs and provide periodic updates. During the same discussion a participant said the original project cost estimate had been roughly $300 million and that a later rough estimate approached $1 billion; staff said time delays and other factors drive some cost increases, and that staff will break out costs attributable to regulatory changes where possible.
What happens next: staff said they are collecting data and providing the BLM with wetlands, natural resources, tribal engagement and socioeconomic studies so the EIS process can analyze alternatives. Staff said they would report back at the next meeting if anything materially changes.
Ending: committee members urged staff to continue outreach to federal agencies and to document delay costs; staff said they would report updates and any major regulatory changes.
