Public Notice Comment Period:
October 28, 2025 to November 28, 2025
SUBJECT: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District, (Corps) is evaluating a proposal to develop the Pickup Pond Wetland Mitigation Project associated with the Mesa County Umbrella Mitigation Bank.
AUTHORITY: This development plan is being evaluated under 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 332.8.
APPLICANT: Mesa County Department of Public Works
Attn: Carrie Gudorf
PO Box 20,000
Grand Junction, Colorado 81502
AGENT: Alpine Ecological
Attn: Andy Herb
1127 Adams Street
Denver, Colorado 80206
LOCATION: The project site is located directly north of the Colorado RiverDESCRIBE THE LOCATION OF PROJECT BY REFERENCING THE SUBJECT AQUATIC RESOURCE, approximately one mile upstream of the 29 Road Bridge over the Colorado River, at latitude 39.053112°, longitude -108.500159°, Mesa County, Colorado.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Mesa County Department of Public Works is proposing to restore and enhance wetlands on the site to generate compensatory wetland mitigation credits as outlined under the previously approved mitigation banking instrument for the Mesa County Umbrella Mitigation Bank. The project would involve partially filling and grading an existing man-made pond, known as the Pickup Pond, and planting a diversity of appropriate wetland species. It is estimated that the project would result in a net gain of 3.97 acres of wetlands and the sponsor has proposed that the project would generate 3.68 acres of compensatory wetland mitigation credits. The generated credits have the potential to be used to offset unavoidable losses of wetlands associated to Corps Section 404 permits issued within the bank’s Service Area. Incorporating this mitigation site into the previously approved mitigation bank instrument requires the Corps approve a modification to the mitigation bank instrument and authorize the work in waters of the U.S. via Department of Army permit.
The attached drawings provide additional project details.
The approved Mesa County Wetland Mitigation Banking Instrument can be found on the Regulatory In-Lieu Fee and Bank Information Tracking System at https://ribits.ops.usace.army.mil/ords/f?p=107:10:::::P10_BANK_ID:680.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Environmental Setting: The project site is on land owned by Mesa County located adjacent to the Colorado River. The site currently consists of an existing pond (3.97 acres) surrounded by a narrow wetland fringe (0.86 acre). The pond was excavated in the 1970s as a gravel pit and currently has an estimated maximum depth of approximately 5 feet. There is no direct surface connection, pipe, or culvert that currently connects the pond to the Colorado River, but flood events have the potential to overtop the streambank and inundate the site.
Interagency Review Team: No other agencies have elected to participate in the Interagency Review Team for this wetland mitigation bank project. All agencies can comment on the proposed project during the Public Notice period.
Endangered Species: The Corps has reviewed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) latest published version of federally listed endangered and threatened species potentially located within the proposed action area to determine if any listed species or their critical habitat may occur in the action area. The Corps has made a preliminary determination that the proposed activity may affect but is not likely to adversely affect federally listed endangered or threatened species or their critical habitat. The Corps will initiate consultation with the USFWS pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as appropriate.
Historic Properties: The project area has been recently surveyed for historic properties. Based on this initial information, the Corps has made a preliminary determination that the proposed project would not adversely affect any historic properties that meet the criteria for inclusion in the NRHP. The Corps will initiate consultation with the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office, as appropriate.
Water Quality Certification: Under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Corps cannot issue a permit to conduct any activity that may result in a discharge into waters of the United States unless a Section 401 water quality certification (WQC) is granted, verifying compliance with water quality requirements, or WQC is waived. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is the certifying authority responsible for making WQC decisions. In this case, the proposed project appears to qualify for authorization under a Nationwide Permit for which WQC is provided by Colorado state statute.
Floodplain Management: The Corps is sending a copy of this public notice to the local floodplain administrator. In accordance with 44 CFR part 60 (Flood Plain Management Regulations Criteria for Land Management and Use), the floodplain administrators of participating communities are required to review all proposed development to determine if a floodplain development permit is required and maintain records of such review.
Evaluation Factors: The Corps is soliciting comments from the public, federal, state, and local agencies and officials, Indian tribes, and other interested parties to evaluate the impacts of this proposed wetland mitigation bank project. Any comments received will be considered by the Corps to assess impacts to endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and other public interest factors. Comments are used in the evaluation of the proposed Project per 33 CFR Part 332.8 and in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.
Close of Comment Period: Written comments, referencing Public Notice SPK-2003-75278 must be submitted via email to the office listed below on or before November 28, 2025, which is the close of the comment period. Extensions of the comment period may be granted for valid reasons provided a written request is received by the deadline above. If no comments are received by that date, the Corps will consider there to be no objections to the proposed project. Anyone may request, in writing, that a public hearing be held to consider this application. Requests shall specifically state, with particularity, the reason(s) for holding a public hearing. If the Corps determines that the information received in response to this notice is inadequate for thorough evaluation, a public hearing may be warranted. If a public hearing is warranted, interested parties will be notified of the time, date, and location. Comments and requests for additional information should be submitted to:
Benjamin Wilson, Regulatory Project Manager
US Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District
Telephone: (970) 243-1199 X 1012
E-mail: Benjamin.R.Wilson@usace.army.mil
Please note that names and addresses of those who submit comments in response to this public notice may be made publicly available through the Freedom of Information Act.