HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Bill on Ordinance 3131 Declaring an Emergency and Implementing Drought Response Plan - 072015 CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND Agenda Bill: AB15-064
City Council Meeting Date: July 20, 2015 Agenda Item: VIII. B.
X Regular Business Meeting
Study Session Date Submitted: 7/15/15
Other: (specify)
Department: Legal Contact: Steve Gross Phone: 4379-5048
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SUBJECT: Ordinance 3131 Declaring an Emergency Related to Water Supply and Fire
Hazards
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CATEGORY: BUDGET IMPACT:
Consent _Resolution Amount Budgeted: $
X Ordinance Staff Report Expenditure Amt: $
X Business Proclamation Contingency Req'd: $
Contract Approval FYI Supplemental Req'd.
Other Dept/Budget Code:
Public Hearing (Legislative, unless otherwise noted).
Strategic Planning Implementation
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SUMMARY STATEMENT: On May 21, 2015, Governor Jay Inslee declared drought
conditions throughout the State of Washington, citing the fact that "...mountain snowpack is at
record lows, and many streams and rivers are flowing at record-low levels." The Washington
State Department of Natural Resources and East Jefferson Fire and Rescue have initiated an
outdoor burn ban in Jefferson County
The City' Public Works Department has determined that stream flows in the City's water supply
are less than a third of normal for this time of year. The US Forest Service Special Use Permit
(SUP) for the operation of the Big Quilcene River municipal diversion mandates a minimum
instream flow of 27 cfs below the Big Quilcene diversion if naturally available. Flow is
measured below the diversion with a USGS maintained stream gage. Diversions are reduced to
maintain 27 cfs instream below the diversion and water from Lords Lake is used to augment the
total supply based on the daily demand. At a flow of 27 cfs the Big Quilcene River diversion will
be shut off. The Little Quilcene River water right and SUP requires maintaining a minimum
instream flow of 6 cfs. Diversions are adjusted as necessary to sustain flow below the diversion.
Draft Drought Contingency Response Plan.
Staff asks Council to declare an emergency related to the water supply and for fire hazard. This
would give the City Manager the authority to implement water conservation measure, and to take
rapid action to deal with fire hazards.
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ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance 3131
2. Ordinance 3131 Exhibit A—Proclamation by the Governor
3. Ordinance 3131 Exhibit B —Commissioner's Order(DNR)
4. Ordinance 3131 Exhibit C—East Jefferson Fire Rescue Burn Ban
5. Ordinance 3131 Exhibit D—City of Port Townsend Drought Contingency Response Plan
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CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: N/A
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RECOMMENDED ACTION: Move to Waive Council Rules and Approve Ordinance 3131
Declaring an Emergency Related to Water Supply and Fire Hazards.
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ALTERNATIVES: Take no action. Refer to committee or staff for further action. Postpone
action.