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CITY OF CORTEZ
123 ROGER SMITH AVENUE
CORTEZ, CO 81321

Brian Peckins
Director of Public Works
110 West Progress Circle
Cortez, CO. 81321
bpeckins@cortezco.gov

Memorandum

To:

CORTEZ CITY COUNCIL

From:

BRIAN PECKINS, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS

Date:

June 13, 2023

RE:

Resolution No. 12, Series 2023, Drought Management and Mitigation Plan

DISCUSSION

The primary focus of the DMMP is on best management practices to manage water demand, while evaluating options for alternate water sources. This Plan is a framework of forward-leaning planning for scenarios and objectives, managerial and technical actions, and potential response systems in order to better respond to drought conditions. It establishes a Drought Management Task Force to monitor and assess drought conditions and make recommendations to City Council as necessary. This Plan identifies five drought stages with triggers based on flow and reservoir levels, and identifies response actions for each drought stage, as well as establishing water use allocations. The Plan is a living document and will be updated on a periodic basis, or as needed. In addition, having an approved Drought Management and Mitigation Plan will assist in qualifying for water-related grants.

BACKGROUND

Although the City has an approved Water Conservation Plan, a Drought Management and Mitigation Plan (DMMP) is needed to prepare for responses to varying drought conditions. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the increasing regularity of arid conditions in Southwestern Colorado has been threatening the reliability of water supplies for agricultural, Tribal, and municipal users, as well as wildlife. In response to ongoing arid conditions, drought is seen as a normal condition that will demand an ongoing response.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that Council adopt the Drought Management and Mitigation Plan through Resolution No. 12, Series 2023.

MOTION

If agreed upon by the City Council, a possible motion would be:
I make the motion to approve Resolution No. 12, Series 2023, adopting the Drought Management and Mitigation Plan for the City of Cortez.

Attachments

Res #12, Series 2023

Drought Management and Mitigation PlanPlan