Concern citizen about open space useFrom:Jeff Wormer
To:OSBT-Web
Subject:Concern citizen about open space use
Date:Saturday, March 9, 2024 9:30:09 AM
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I am writing as a Dam Engineer with over 20 years of experience in the design and construction of water storage and
flood mitigation projects. I am also a South Boulder resident whose house west of the CU South property was
flooded during the 2013 large rainfall event. I have supported the saving open space but I am concerned over the
upcoming March 14th vote to allow the disposal of approximately 4.1 acres of our open space in the name of
development and a bad and wasteful flood protection project. In short, this is a bad flood protection project because
the flooding downstream of the CU South property is generally low level flooding as defined by the depth times
velocity flood severity equation. High depth times velocity flooding occurs closer to the mountains, west of the CU
South property, and this is where fatalities unfortunately occurred in 2013 if you look it up. There are other flood
protection options that were not fully developed in lieu of the current preferred alternative which was justified by a
poorly developed cost estimate. Based on my review, the cost estimate is likely to go up at the next design level.
This tax payer money could be more effectively spent saving lives in high flood severity zones around Table Mesa
and Bear Creek and along Linden Drive and not protecting low-level flooding that will likely only effect property.
Based on the most recent design, it is also possible that the preferred alternative once constructed will put
downstream residents more at risk of life loss due to an increase in the annualized failure probability driven by the
storage of water creating the potential for higher flood severity. I am asking you vote down the disposal of our
preserved land. I am asking for a pause until all alternatives and the cost estimate for the current preferred
alternative is fully developed and all other required right-of-way and other permits are obtained. Approving this
deal is setting a very bad precedent and our open space wasn’t saved as a bargaining chip to support development
and poorly thought out and dangerous flood protection projects for the city.
Thanks for your time,
Jeff
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