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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10814Substituted Copy 9/11/06 RESOLUTION NO. 10814 A RESOLUTION URGING THE COLORADO CONGRES - SIONAL DELEGATION TO SEEK AUTHORIZATION FOR, AND THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO UNDERTAKE, A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF FLOOD CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE FOUNTAIN CREEK FLOODWAY IN PUEBLO AND EL PASO COUNTIES, COLORADO, INCLUDING AS AN ALTERNATIVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FLOOD CONTROL DAM ALONG FOUNTAIN CREEK WHEREAS, Fountain Creek in Pueblo and El Paso Counties, Colorado has historically been a stream with widely varying flows including high storm flows which produce severe flooding and damage; and WHEREAS, anticipated population growth in Southeastern Colorado and foreseeable future land use patterns are likely to exacerbate flooding along Fountain Creek in Pueblo County; and WHEREAS, under authority of federal laws, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the "Corps ") provides water resources development projects for the Nation which include flood control projects undertaken in cooperation with nonfederal sponsors; and WHEREAS, the Corps has conducted the following studies which considered construction of flood control measures along Fountain Creek, including construction of a flood control dam: Report on Review Survey for Flood Control and Allied Purposes - Arkansas River and Tributaries above John Martin Dam, Colorado, March 31, 1970, June 24, 1968. (Among other projects, Dam considered on Fountain Creek above Pueblo; benefit -cost ratio of 0.8 for single purpose flood control dam. Pueblo City Council Resolution No. 2322 passed and approved May 13, 1968 supported flood control project concerning Fountain Creek.) Supplemental Report on Fountain Reservoir and Reevaluation of Review Survey for Flood Control and Allied Purposes, May 15, 1970. ( "College damsite" flood control dam and reservoir would provide flood protection for urban area of Pueblo and "considerable downstream benefits," and found to have a 1.02 benefit -cost ratio. "Fountain Dam" also evaluated, found to have benefit -cost ratio of 1.4.) Letter from The Secretary of the Army dated August 13, 1973 transmitting to Speaker of the House Representatives, favorable report dated September 13, 1972 concerning Arkansas River and Tributaries. (Fountain Creek Dam and Lake considered as flood control and recreation project; supported by Colorado Water Conservation Board and many others.) Fountain Creek, Pueblo, CO, Main Report & Environmental Impact Statement Phase I General Design Memorandum, May 1981 (Authorized reservoir above Pueblo determined to be economically infeasible — levee /channelization system selected as recommended plan to provide a level of protection.) ; and, WHEREAS, although the levee /channelization improvements constructed in the late 1980's provide some flood protection to Pueblo, the level of flood protection may have since become inadequate due to the greatly increased flood potential above Pueblo arising during the past 18 years, and because excessive sediment transport from upstream has fundamentally altered streambed elevations; and WHEREAS, in Lt. Col. Todd Wang's letter on behalf of the Corps to Mr. Gary Bostrom dated July 14, 2006, he stated that the Corps would not participate in further study of a flood control dam on Fountain Creek above Pueblo unless directed by Congress; and WHEREAS, the Corps needs to update and reexamine its prior study work concerning flood control on Fountain Creek; and WHEREAS, the Corps receives annual funding for study of potential projects throughout the Nation, including flood control projects; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO. COLORADO. that: SECTION 1 The City Council hereby urges the Colorado Congressional Delegation to seek congressional authorization for, and the Corps to undertake, a comprehensive study of flood control and management, including as an alternative the construction of a flood control dam, within the Fountain Creek floodway within Pueblo and El Paso Counties, Colorado. SECTION 2 The City Manager is authorized and directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the Colorado Congressional Delegation and the Corps, and furnish such information within his control to the Delegation and the Corps as they may reasonably require, in furtherance of the intent and purpose of this Resolution. INTRODUCED September 11, 2006 BY Jeff Chostner Councilperson APPROVED: President of Cit Council ATTESTED BY: CITY CLERK