Federal Review and Permitting

The federal government will conduct reviews for the proposed Wild Horse Reservoir Project.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages federal subsurface mineral estates underlying most of the privately owned lands at the Wild Horse South Reservoir site. Aurora Water is requesting the free use of federal mineral materials to construct a dam. This action triggered the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.

What Is NEPA?

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a foundational U.S. environmental law established in 1970 and requires federal agencies to assess the environmental impacts of proposed projects before making decisions. NEPA applies to a broad spectrum of projects involving infrastructure that require federal permits or oversight. The law ensures that the proposed action’s environmental, social, and economic effects are considered in project planning and decision-making, thus protecting ecosystems, water quality, wildlife, historical sites, and public health.

Federal Lead

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is the lead federal agency for the federal environmental review under NEPA for the Wild Horse Reservoir Project.

NEPA Process

Before the formal NEPA process can begin, extensive efforts are required to gather information about the baseline conditions of the proposed project site, develop the purpose and need for the project, and identification of several alternatives. Ongoing efforts include scoping and preliminary environmental assessments, data collection, and baseline studies on ecology, hydrology, and cultural resources to establish existing conditions. This information, along with further analysis, is then used to assess potential project impacts.

With the shift of the proposed project site to the Wild Horse South Reservoir location, Aurora Water is working with BLM to determine the best path forward for the federal environmental review under NEPA. More information on timeframe and opportunities for public input will be posted as it becomes available.

Surveys for NEPA Process

With landowner permission, natural resource and cultural surveys were conducted on the proposed project site and alternatives in 2025. More non-invasive surveys will be conducted in 2026 at the Wild Horse South Reservoir location with landowner permission. Some landowners will be contacted to request permission to access private property for the surveys. This information is needed for the evaluation of the site and will focus on areas that have not yet been assessed. Please email us at WildHorseReservoir@auroragov.org with any questions or concerns.

Cooperating Agencies

Alongside BLM are a group of organizations known as “cooperating agencies” that have jurisdiction over some aspect of the project or have special expertise regarding a potential impact from the project. Aurora Water has been meeting with these agencies frequently and sharing preliminary reports so they can provide valuable feedback in their areas of expertise. We are grateful for the work conducted by BLM on this process to date and the cooperating agencies who have been sharing their expertise with Aurora Water on the Wild Horse Reservoir Project:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
Bureau of Reclamation (BoR)
Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Water Quality Control Division
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)
Park County
Headwater Authority of the South Platte (HASP)
Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District (SECWCD)

National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)

BLM is leading the Section 106 process under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), which requires the federal government to evaluate the effects of their proposed actions on archaeological artifacts and historic properties. Because there are archaeological artifacts in the vicinity of the Wild Horse Reservoir Project that are eligible to be included in the National Register for Historic Places (NRHP), NHPA was triggered.

What Is NHPA?

The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) was passed in 1966 and established a national preservation program for the protection of archaeological resources and historic properties. Section 106 of NHPA requires the federal government to evaluate the effects of their proposed actions on archaeological artifacts and historic properties.

Federal Lead

BLM is the lead federal agency managing the NHPA process for the Wild Horse Reservoir Project in collaboration with state, tribal, and local government entities.

NHPA Process

BLM identified state, tribal, and other entities to participate in the review and consultations. Survey teams conducted initial surveys at several sites for the Wild Horse Reservoir Project to identify and assess archaeological resources. Based on initial findings, Aurora Water is working with federal, state, and tribal entities on the best path forward to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects to archaeological resources at the Wild Horse South Reservoir site. Learn more about the NHPA process.

Surveys for NHPA Process

With landowner permission, natural resource and cultural surveys were conducted on the proposed project site and alternatives in 2025. More non-invasive surveys will be conducted in 2026 at the Wild Horse South Reservoir location with landowner permission. Some landowners will be contacted to request permission to access private property for the surveys. This information is needed for the evaluation of the site and will focus on areas that have not yet been assessed. Please email us at WildHorseReservoir@auroragov.org with any questions or concerns.