HomeMy WebLinkAbout20121737.tiff RESOLUTION
RE: EXPRESSION OF SUPPORT FOR THE CHATFIELD RESERVOIR STORAGE
REALLOCATION PROJECT
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to
Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of
administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and
WHEREAS, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers has determined that Chatfield Reservoir,
located in Douglas and Jefferson Counties, can safely store an additional 20,600 acre feet of
water beyond that currently held without jeopardizing the reservoir's flood control purposes, and
WHEREAS, the Reservoir's current authorized purposes include flood control,
recreation, fish and wildlife, and water supply, and the reallocation of storage space has been
authorized since 1986, and
WHEREAS, the Draft Integrated Feasibility Report (FR)/Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for the Chatfield Reservoir Storage Reallocation Study has been prepared by
the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in cooperation with the State of Colorado and in consultation
with 15 prospective water users groups and many other interested parties, and
WHEREAS, the Chatfield Study has been supported by the Colorado Congressional
Delegation (FY2007—FY2012 appropriations bills and numerous joint letters), the Colorado
General Assembly (SJR 07-019), and the Colorado Water Conservation Board (serving as non-
federal sponsor for the study, January 2010 resolution, and allocation of $13 million to assist
with implementation), and
WHEREAS, storing more water in Chatfield Reservoir will make better use of an existing
facility and capture additional runoff flowing down the South Platte River and Plum Creek
without pumping, and
WHEREAS, allocating that added storage space to entities holding current water rights
to that water will prevent the loss of as much as 20,600 acre feet of South Platte River water in
wet years to out-of state-flows, and
WHEREAS, in a drought year like this one, the added water storage space in Chatfield
(along with aggressive water conservation efforts) could make the difference in having enough
water for municipal, industrial, agricultural, and environmental purposes, and
WHEREAS, as discussed in the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) and
"Statewide Water Supply Initiative" (SWSI) Study, there is an anticipated water supply shortage
or gap of approximately 99,000 to 360,000 acre feet per year in the South Platte River Basin
over the next 40 years, and
WHEREAS, the water providers who contract and pay for use of the water storage
space in Chatfield Reservoir have agreed to undertake and pay for needed mitigation of
environmental impacts and to undertake and pay for modification of recreation facilities as
needed, and
�t-t' 2012-1737
g l It .I a BC0043
EXPRESSION OF SUPPORT FOR THE CHATFIELD RESERVOIR STORAGE
REALLOCATION PROJECT
PAGE 2
WHEREAS, numerous agricultural irrigation wells in Weld County have been severely
curtailed or completely shut off due to downstream senior water rights and the low supply of
water, and under such circumstances the Chatfield Reservoir has provided "augmentation
water" to alleviate this urgent need for irrigation water, and
WHEREAS, increased storage in the Chatfield Reservoir will further assist farmers in
Weld County during times of drought by enabling the increased supply of "augmentation water"
available to said farmers.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld
County, Colorado, that it hereby expresses its support for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Tentatively Recommended Plan in the Draft Integrated FR/EIS on the Chatfield Reservoir
Storage Reallocation Project and directs that this Resolution be delivered to the U. S. Army
Corps of Engineers to made part of the record of public comments on this Draft Integrated
FR/EIS.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County,
Colorado, urges the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete its final review of the project
and issue a Record of Decision in a timely manner so that additional water can be stored in
Chatfield Reservoir as soon as possible.
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted
by the following vote on the 11th day of July, A.D., 2012.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
ATTEST:.�G 7
Sean P. Conway, Chair
Weld County Clerk to the Board
EXCUSED
^ illiam F. Garcia, P -Tem
BY: fl* •tr \\. / /
Deputy Cie to the"Board Ai11R j)JY -A &
O a r.'a Kirkmey rrC'
�R* ED '. : ' •RM: :r. t�i�..,pp Lori
•`"'��avid . Lon
ounty Attorney 016.5 cx ren
Dougls Rademacher
Date of signature: 5 J5 /a
2012-1737
BC0043
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