tenances, athletic support and mechanical structures, would be located beneath the spectators' seats. When not used for speed skating, the oval could be used for other recreational purposes.

Most of the above facilities for the events are being planned as permanent structures, capable of sustained long-term, public afteruse. Proposed afteruse management would be by the appropriate cities or counties.

A. General

II. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

The geographical limits of the environment of the 1976 Winter Games are defined as the areas of influence of the Games upon Denver and the State of Colorado. That area of influence is thought to be bounded on the east by the large Front Range cities of central Colorado and westward in a half-circle radius of approximately 150 miles from Denver.

This circumscribed area is that part of the State which has undergone the most development, growth, and land use change in the last decade and which it is thought will continue to exhibit the most change in the next decade. The Olympics, if they have a broad influence upon the State, may affect the same items (development, growth, and land uses) and therefore have a similar area of influence. Similarly, this area is the largest part of the recreation, land use, and economic hinterland of the City of Denver.

The influence zone includes the major Front Range cities of Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins, and Boulder; and the central Rocky Mountains of the State excluding the San Juans of the southwest.

The large cities of the Front Range are located upon the western interior, semiarid, high plains of the central United States with a moderate, continental climate. Denver, by far the largest urban complex in the State and region with 1.2 million people, serves as a major center for federal and state governmental operations. Other major components of the economy are transportation and warehousing, light industry, and, importantly, the city serves as a major regional headquarters for a wide variety of large business corporations.

The single outstanding characteristics of metropolitan Denver and much of the Front Range which relates directly to environmental matters and to the Olympics is the growth of the area and concurrent land use changes. The Denver SMSA population increased from 930.000 in 1960 to 1.2 million in 1970, The SMSA was the seventh most rapidly growing large (over 1 million) metropolitan area in the nation in that decade. The area continues to grow at a greater rate than either the rest of Colorado or the nation. In the last decade, the growth rate was twice the national average. In recent years, over 60 percent of the area's growth has been from immigration.

The cause of the inmigration is thought to be due to the physical and cultural attractions of the area as a population magnet; similarly, many businesses seek, when relocating, areas with favorable labor force characteristics. Denver, as past growth patterns indicate, is such an area. These business and population characteristics reflect and reinforce each other; people and business are drawn to metropolitan Denver by the amenities and physical attractiveness of the area for their purposes.

It is projected that between 1980 and 1980, the urban area of metropolitan Denver will increase in size between one-third and one-half. This represents a substantial conversion of land to more intensive purposes with wide ranging

influences upon the environment and upon city services and functions. In part, this growth has been made possible by the diversion of water from the mountains of western Colorado to Front Ranges cities, or from an area of relative water abundance to one of natural water scarcity.

The western portion of the area of influence of the Olympics comprises the lofty mountains and coniferous forests of the central Colorado Rockies. This portion of the State is noted for both its fabulous scenic character and for its rapidly developing recreation orientation. West of the Continental Divide, climatic conditions of relatively cold winters and short but numerous snowstorms produce excellent skiing opportunties with a relatively long use season of almost six months.

This area, like the Front Range, also has been subject to significant environmental change within the last decade and that change is expected to continue. The major component of change has been the rapid rise and development of the recreation industry and homesite development in this area and the relative decline in the importance of agriculture and mining.

Reflective of these patterns are figures on the recreation component. Lift capacity at Colorado ski resorts in 1970 was approximately 75,000 per hour. Between 1960 and 1971 visitation at Forest Service recreation areas is estimated to have increased by 35 percent and visitation at Rocky Mountain National Park increased approximately 38 percent. The sale of recreation vehicles in the State has increased substantially. This increase is thought to be reflected in the use of the Rocky Mountain high country for both summer and winter activities.

Concurrent with increased recreation use of this portion of Colorado has been the resort and residential development of the same lands. It is estimated that 7.000.000 tourists visited the State in 1970; most spent major portions of the time in the central Rockies. Combined residential and nonresidential recreation demand for outdoor recreation is expected to almost double between 1970 and 1980, from 343,000,000 visitor days to approximately 646,000,C00. Support facilities will be required to satisfy this demand; the magnitude of the projected increase would appear to indicate substantial environmental changes reflected in changing land uses.

The Forest Service manages the majority of the mountainous portion of this Olympic influence zone (the area also includes Rocky Mountain National Park). However, the river bottoms and lands at lower elevations generally were settled before the creation of the national forest system and, as a result, many of these more developable lands are privately owned.

All of the above elements of the project environment are occurring irrespective of the Winter Olympic effort.

B. Biathlon

This event would be staged near Steamboat Springs, located on the west slope of the Continental Divide in northern Colorado. Specifically, the site chosen is in the Fish Creek Basin approximately two miles east of the town. The central range area would be near the creek, accessible by road from the city. The four loop courses would radiate out into the generally rolling terrain. Elevations range from 6,500 feet to 7,000 feet with maximum grade expected to be in the range of 25 to 30 percent. Immediately to the south of the proposed site is the developed Steamboat ski area, elevations 6.900 through 9,700 feet.

The vegetation is that typical of the western mountainous portions of Colorado. It includes meadowland (50 percent) and sparse woodland (40 percent), with the remainder in dense woodland. Aspen is the predominant tree with Englemann and Colorado blue spruce also found. Much of the meadowland is presently used for pasture.

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Wildlife in the area includes grouse, weasel, beaver, ground squirrel, and numerous birds. Some limited numbers of deer are also found.

Steamboat Springs, two miles away, is a town of 2,500 permanent residents. The town, located in the Yampa River Valley, is easily accessible by high quality roadway, rail, and air transport. Peak winter permanent, nonpermanent, and recreational population is estimted at 6,000. The central developed portion of the city occupies approximately 80 acres.

The Colorado Alpine Campus (Stevens College) of the United States International University, based in San Diego, California, is located in the town. It presently serves 225 students and by 1976 is planned to have an enrollment of 500.

Steamboat Springs is strongly oriented toward the tourist and recreation industry. The town presently has accommodations to serve approximately 5,000 tourists. Visitor capacity at existing nearby ski resorts is 7-8,000.

The Park Range mountains east of Steamboat Springs are largely within the Routt National Forest. Lands in other directions are largely privately owned. The nearest town with significant numbers of people is Craig, Colorado, 42 miles to the west.

Water and sewer needs in the area are served by three special districts. Water supplies have been obtained by the purchase of water rights, primarily in the Fish Creek-Burgess Creek Basin. Sewage treatment and disposal is by means of septic tanks and/or aeration.

C. Bobsled and Luge

Doublehead Mountain is the proposed site for bobsled and luge. The hillside on which the course would be developed is located in Turkey Creek Canyon, 25 miles southwest of Denver, just off U.S. Highway 285. The site is four miles north of the town of Conifer, population approximately 700.

The site for this event at Doublehead Mountain would occupy 95 acres, to be acquired by the City of Denver or Jefferson County for the purposes of the 1976 Games and afteruse. The bobsled and luge run would lie next to Iowa Gulch which drains into Turkey Creek immediately adjacent to U.S. Highway 285. The run would begin more than halfway up the slope of Doublehead Mountain but below the area of steepest grade. The run would bottom out at the foot of the mountain in a level, grassy area next to Turkey Creek and the highway. The mountain slope ranges in elevation from 7,200 feet to 8,000 feet, Well developed sandy soils cover both the hillside and bottom meadowland.

The hillside is covered by dense stands of ponderosa pine, Colorado blue spruce and Douglas fir. The flat bottom of the run is in meadow grasses and alfalfa. Wildlife includes deer, grouse, rabbits, and squirrels.

The proposed site is typical of much of the surrounding area. Local relief in the area is moderate with vegetation similar to that previously defined. The proximity of the area to Denver and efficient highways have led within the last several years to dispersed residential development, 2-5 acre lots, over large portions of this rolling hill country. A number of small communities exist in and around the area including Conifer, Hidden Valley, Evergreen, Kittredge, Bergen Park, and Indian Hills with a combined population of approximately 12,000. Many of the residents commute to work in metropolitan Denver.

The 95 acres for the site facility is a part of a larger 1,300-acre block of land planned for subdivision development. Thus, it is probable that by the time of the Games the present environment will be substantially altered to include either a planned unit development or large lot subdivision. Should this occur and should this site for bobsled and luge be chosen, access to the facility site would be by new service roads from Highway 285. There is no existing access directly to the site.

Most lands in the vicinity of the site are privately owned. The exception is a number of small units of the Denver Mountain Park System which are scattered throughout the Front Range west of Denver.

D. Nordic

This event, which includes cross-country skiing combined with ski jumping, also would be held in the vicinity of Steamboat Springs.

Cross-country skiing would be held north and northwest of the town in and around an area referred to as Strawberry Park. This is a broad valley and

meadow area drained by Soda Creek and Butcherknife Creek. The central staging area would be located in the south central portion of the valley on the Stevens College land with the cross-country trails radiating up the gently rolling hillsides to the west, north, and east. On the south, the valley opens into the Yampa River and Steamboat Springs.

Much of Strawberry Park is now used extensively for pasture of timothy, bromegrass, and clover. The deep loamy soils are highly productive of this vegetation. Boulders in the valley are relatively scarce but occur more frequently on the hillside.

The ski jumping would be located in a city park four blocks southwest of the center of Steamboat Springs but separated from the developed major portion of the town by the Yampa River. The park of 150 acres is triangular in shape with the western portion occupying a fairly steep hillside. Maximum local relief is 400 feet. The northeastern portion of the park is part of the Yampa River flood plain for a width of 100 to 150 yards.

Vegetation is largely that native to the area with sparse stands of spruce on the hillside and some cottonwood in the flood plain along with meadow grasses. Two ski jumps are located in the park on the hillside with the runout areas on the lower level portions of the park. They are approximately 85 meters and 60 meters in size. It is the latter which may be brought up to Olympic standards for the Games. An oval racing track also is located near the river. The lands around the park on all sides, except opposite the river, are undeveloped private lands in native vegetation. The environment of the town and surrounding area is the same as that described under Subsection 1 of this section. (This jump would be utilized as a part of the Nordic events. Its use is separate and distinct from the actual ski jumping event described below.)

E. Ski Jumping

The proposed ski jump site is at Doublehead Mountain, previously discussed under Subsection C, Bobsled and Luge, of this section. The three ski jumps with appurtenances would be located adjacent to and at the south of the proposed bobsled and luge run. Minimum distance between the bobsled and luge and nearest proposed ski jump would be approximately 1,000 feet. Elevation, vegetation, wildlife, and other environmental considerations are similar to those previously described.

F. Speed Skating

This facility, occupying 240,000 square feet, would be located on an undeveloped, vacant, public tract of land within the City and County of Denver. The land, level and grassy, is located in a completely urban environment of southeast Denver. Adjoining the site on the east is South High School; and to the south is Interstate 70. Some school athletic events utilize the site at the present time. One block away in a northwesterly direction is Washington Park. The park is considered to be one of the city's finer and better maintained park areas.

The immediate vicinity of the site is largely a single-family residential neighborhood. However, immediately south of Interstate 25 across from the site is the University of Denver campus with dormitories, classrooms, stadium and field house, and other typical college buildings. The nearest extensive commercial developments are approximately 15 city blocks to the east and west, Colorado Boulevard and South Broadway Street, respectively.

III. THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT

It is thought that environmental impacts would fall into six broad categories: A. Economic growth and development of the Olympic area of influence (Front Range and central mountains)

B. General environmental and land-use relationships

C. Specific site alterations

D. Related general public works developments and expenditures

E. Legislative and administrative regulatory action

F. International

Each will be discussed in turn.

In addition, each discussion, as appropriate, will be divided into a "with" and "without" situation relative to the possible implementation of Colorado Re

vised Statute 106-4-3, 1971 Session Laws, Colorado Land Use Act. It is thought that implementation of that statute could create an entirely different environmental impact situation than would lack of implementation. The appropriate subsection (f VIII) of the Statute reads as follows:

"In the event local municipalities or counties in which the Olympic events are to be located fail to provide land-use controls with adequate environmental safeguards, the land use commission, upon the recommendation of the Governor, is empowered to take steps to establish adequate land-use regulations."

Specifically, it is thought that with adequate, sound land-use regulations, any environmental impacts relating to the Olympics occurring under items A and B above may not be adverse to a significant degree. Without implementation, the converse may exist and holding the Olympics may likely add to growing land use and related problems throughout much of Colorado.

The possible implementation of the statute is not considered under Section IV of this statement. "Mitigating Measures Included in the Proposed Action," because it does not relate to any proposed facilities to be funded by the proposed action, because the State, legislation was passed prior to any specific site identification, because it is vastly broader in scope and area than specific site mitigation measures, and because it is considered to be a possible part of the total Olympic planning and staging effort rather than solely a mitigation measure, per se.

A. Economic Growth and Development of the Olympic Area of Influence

It is speculated that holding the 1976 Winter Olympics in the State would effect to some degree the growth and development of the Front Range and central Colorado Rockies. This effect would relate to the publicity leading up to and surrounding the events; publicity which would largely be directed to describing the attributes of the State. That description was part of Denver's presentation and publicity to the IOC in its bid for the Games :

"Reasons for its (Denver's) spectacular growth are many. Some of the major ones are climate, physical terrain, geographical location, and community attitudes.

"In various surveys, Denver has been named repeatedly as one of the most desirable places to live because of its climate, the year-round recreation offered by the close proximity to the mountains, and its metropolitan atmosphere.

"This preference is further demonstrated by a survey conducted by an international management consulting firm specializing in recruitment of degreeholding engineers, scientists, and technical administrators. Over 81 percent of the 100,000 surveyed gave Denver as their first choice as a place to live. The preference among those with Ph.D. degrees was 90 percent.

"Denver also ranked third in a study of 24 major U.S. cities offering the healthiest living conditions, according to a recent national survey.

"The attractiveness of Denver living conditions is shown by the fact that fewer than half of the present population are native-born."

It is expected that the planned publicity-TV, radio, and the press-will emphasize many of these same points-the cultural and physical amenities of the State of Colorado.

The effect of this publicity may be to stimulate continued growth and development slightly beyond that which might be expected without the Olympics. This statement is not now supported by hard fact because the growth has not yet occurred, but it may be reasonable to infer.

In this regard, recent past Winter Olympic Games were reviewed to determine if their planning and staging was similar to the 1976 Denver effort. These included the recent games at Sapporo, Grenoble, Innsbruck, and Squaw Valley. It was determined that any relationship between effects of the Olympics on Colorado and the effects of the Olympics on the previous Olympic areas could not be proven because of wide cultural differences and/or differences in physical and demographic characteristics.

A review of Colorado growth patterns, and causes and effects thereof, over the last two decades may serve, however, to illustrate possible effects of the Olympics specifically on portions of Colorado.

The Colorado Legislature, beginning in 1941, has appropriated over $11 million to date to a State Division whose primary purpose is to invite, through various means of publicity, business and people to settle in Colorado. The appropriations