Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Community officials will seek the state's assistance on several area projects this week at a meeting of the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance advisory committee in Glenwood Springs.

The advisory committee for the state program will hear requests for funds for 50 projects, including a new water treatment facility in Oak Creek, a water main replacement in Hayden, Yampa Valley Regional Airport's water and sewer system and Craig's Recreation Center.

The assistance program, which was created in 1977, supports communities that are affected by the energy and mineral industries using funds from the state severance tax on energy and mineral production and from royalties paid to the federal government for mining and drilling on federal land.

This year, counties have requested about $12.6 million in funds. The program typically awards between $5 million and $8 million, Routt County Commissioner Nancy Stahoviak said.

"We know that the department probably will not be able to fully fund all of these requests," Stahoviak said.

The committee will hear three requests from Routt County, which were ranked in order of need.

The first is a project to replace about 3,000 feet of water main in Hayden, which would include installing six new fire hydrants. The existing water main suffered five breaks in 2002, which cost more than $18,000 to repair. The project would also extend the water main south of the Routt County Fairgrounds to Dry Creek Park, which would improve fire protection and water supply for residents in Golden Meadows.

Hayden is requesting $283,000 for the project, which will cost about $405,000 total. The remaining $122,000 would be supplied by the town.

Oak Creek is seeking $300,000 toward a $1.7 million replacement of its outdated water treatment facility. The town has committed $250,000 to the project, with the remainder being funded by a loan from the state drinking water improvement plan.

Getting a new water treatment facility is critical for the town, County Commissioner Dan Ellison said.

"It's in pretty bad shape," Ellison said. He said part of the reason a new plant hasn't been built already is that Oak Creek's population has risen and fallen, making it difficult for the town to commit to such a large investment.

"There have been a lot of little changes that would have caused anybody to pause a little before making any major expenditures on their water," Ellison said.

The third request is for $350,000 to construct water and sewer lines at the Yampa Valley Regional Airport to meet fire code and building requirements for hangar development and other commercial developments. The project's total cost is estimated at about $720,000.

Moffat County's only request for funds is for construction of a 52,000-square-foot recreation facility that would include a lap pool, fitness center, gym, racquetball courts, indoor shooting range and more.

The request is for $1.2 million, which exceeds the $300,000 recommended maximum grant and is the largest request in the state. The project's total cost is estimated at about $11.7 million. Through a city tax increase, which will be offered on the November ballot, Craig could contribute about $9.75 million.

The nine-member advisory committee will hear requests for grants and loans, and then vote on which applications to fund. Final decisions are made by the Department of Local Affairs.

-- To reach Susan Bacon, call 871-4203

or e-mail sbacon@steamboatpilot.com