RESOLUTION NO. 86-97

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO, WHICH, EXPRESSES SUPPORT OF EITHER OF TWO ALTERNATE ROUTES OVER THE CURRENT PROPOSED PIPELINE ROUTE OF THE TRANSCOLORADO GAS TRANSMISSION PROJECT.

RECITALS.

A.  On June 3, 1994, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity which established a pipeline route for the TransColorado Gas Transmission Project (“Project”).

B.  In order to address concerns of the City Council of the City of Grand Junction (“City”) and the Board of Trustees of the Town of Palisade (“Town”), TransColorado Gas Pipeline Company (“TransColorado”) has proposed certain changes to the pipeline route suggested by the Town, the City, and others; the approximate locations of such changes are shown on Exhibit A to this Resolution.

C.  On November 12, 1997, the Bureau of Land Management published a scoping notice for the preparation of a supplement to the 1992 Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Project, which scoping notice requests public comment on three aspects of the Project which require additional environmental analysis and comment, including pipeline route changes.

D.  The proposed Rapid Creek reroute moves the pipeline route away from unstable soil conditions and steep terrain, thereby reducing potential adverse environmental impacts caused by construction and operation of the pipeline on property owned by the Town and on the Town’s watershed and water supply.

E.  The proposed Kruzen Springs reroute moves the pipeline route away from an important water source of the Town located on property owned by the City, thereby reducing potential adverse environmental impacts caused by construction and operation of the pipeline on the Town’s watershed and water supply.

F.  It appears that neither of the proposed reroutes would cause greater visual impacts than that caused by the existing pipeline route. However, both reroutes are subject to findings in the supplement to the 1992 final Environment Impact Statement.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION THAT:

1.  The City of Grand Junction initially supports, subject to further review, the pipeline route changes proposed by TransColorado and shown on Exhibit A to this Resolution, as such reroutes appear to be more appropriate alternatives than the existing pipeline route when the consideration stated in this Resolution are weighed. The findings in the supplement to the Environmental Impact Statement and the proposed Plan of development may identify environmental issues and support mitigation measures, which will be addressed at that time.

2.  This Resolution is not a permit or clearance for TransColorado to construct the pipeline and/or otherwise have the right to use property owned by or under the City’s control, nor does this resolution eliminate or lessen TransColorado’s obligation to apply for and receive any applicable permit or clearance nor waive any City objections to the Project.

3.  The adoption of this Resolution shall not be construed to mean that the City approves of the Project, but only that the alternative routes are better than the existing proposed route.

INTRODUCED, READ, PASSED, AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting held on December 17, 1997.

           CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION

           By:_/s/ Earl Payne________

            Earl Payne, Mayor Pro Tem

ATTEST:

_/s/ Stephanie Nye    

Stephanie Nye, City Clerk