Fearing the partial federal government shutdown would further delay urgent repairs to an eroded Boulder River bank, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 22 passed an emergency resolution to proceed before acquiring the necessary permitting.
Commissioner Bob Mullen was unsure whether the subsequent temporary end to the shutdown on Jan. 25 would affect the county’s plans.
“If the Corps of Engineers can reply [to the permit request] before the work is started, great,” Mullen said Sunday by email. “If not, we have little choice but to move forward.”
The project aims to repair damage caused during last spring’s runoff when the Boulder River overflowed its banks just south of Boulder. The flooding eroded the riverbank, damaged Hubbard Lane and “threatened at least one residence,” according to the resolution.
Because the Boulder River is considered a navigable waterway, the Army Corps of Engineers must permit any work done to it.
County officials fear that this year’s spring runoff will make matters even worse if the repairs aren’t done. The resolution cites the potential endangerment of a bridge, a diversion and headgate and “at least one home,” in addition to further damaging of Hubbard Lane.
Adding to the sense of urgency is the fact that repairs “must be conducted when the ground is frozen due to the necessity to transport heavy equipment and loaded haul trucks across hay fields to the work site,” the resolution states.
“I think we’ve got to address this,” County Attorney Steve Haddon told the commissioners before they voted on the emergency resolution.
Otherwise, if further damage were to occur “the amount of money to reclaim that road is going to be — I think we’re getting into bonding money there,” he said.
Haddon also noted the danger of the waterway changing its course and establishing “a new channel down there.”
“Then what do we do?” he wondered.
“I recognize that now we’re kind of putting the cart before the horse here, but I think we have to,” Haddon concluded. “Certainly it’s [your] decision, and we’ll act first and after we’ll ask forgiveness later.”
