July 1, 2021 For Immediate Release Contact: Gary Wockner, Save The Poudre, 970-218-8310 Fort Collins Planning and Zoning Commission "DISAPPROVES" NISP Pipeline Fort Collins: Last night, after three hours of testimony and deliberation, the Fort Collins Planning & Zoning Commission voted 3 - 2 to "Disapprove" the Northern Integrated Supply Project's (NISP) Site Plan Advisory Review (SPAR) application. NISP proposes to build a massive pipeline across city-owned and protected Natural Areas, and divert over 4 billion gallons of water per year out of the Poudre River, both on the eastern side of Fort Collins. "We're pleased with the Planning Commission's vote," said Gary Wockner of Save The Poudre. "NISP has no right to march into Fort Collins and cause huge damage to much-loved Natural Areas along the Poudre River that were bought and protected by and for the people of Fort Collins." With the Commission's disapproval now hanging over NISP, the entire project and its convoluted 18-year history is increasingly in limbo. The Commission's disapproval adds to the City's formal "opposition" to NISP that was codified by the City Council in a resolution on Aug. 4, 2020. Further, Save The Poudre has multiple active lawsuits against NISP, including challenging the use of SPAR in the City of Fort Collins. At this point, it's unclear what the NISP directors will do about the disapproval, and it's unclear how the courts will rule on Save The Poudre's lawsuit. "We will fight to stop NISP as long as it takes," said Wockner. "The people of Fort Collins have been extremely supportive and generous -- they've given us their marching orders to protect the Poudre River and we are fighting on every front." Save The Poudre put comments into the SPAR process and testified at last night's hearing. (This press release is posted here.) ***end***
TAKE ACTION: Don’t Let The River District Become The “Ditch” District”
Hi Poudre River Lovers!
Thank you for checking out our website and for taking action to protect the beautiful Cache la Poudre River!
You may not know this, but the Poudre River through Fort Collins is deeply endangered. Much of its water has already been diverted out, and even more water is proposed to be diverted before the river reaches downtown Fort Collins.
Right now, there are four proposals for new dams, diversions, and pipelines upstream of Fort Collins that would take even more water out the river potentially turning the river in Fort Collins into a muddy, stinking ditch. These new diversions of water would have serious negative impacts on the health of the river, on the forest along the river, on the new Whitewater Park in downtown, and on the fish and ecosystem in the river.
But you can take action to do something about these problems right now!
One of the proposed new dams/diversions is called the “Northern Integrated Supply Project” and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – which has to go through a permit process for the project – recently released the “Final Environmental Impact Statement” for the project and is accepting comments from the public about the proposed permit until October 4th.
Save The Poudre’s excellent team of highly experienced scientists and attorneys has analyzed the Final Environmental Impact Statement and has created a short summary of problems that the Army Corps needs to fix. We will also be sending in a much longer technical letter with our comments, but you can take action to send in a summary of comments that will give you legal standing in the permitting process now and in the future.
Please click here to go to our Action Page and send a comment letter to the Army Corps.
Thank you for visiting, and thank you for Taking Action!
The Save The Poudre Team
