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Home My WebLink About55A - RESO - PRADO BASIN STUDYREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: NOVEMBER 7, 2011 TITLE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PRADO BASIN FEASIBILITY STUDY 7 CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDED ACTION CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: APPROVED ? As Recommended ? As Amended ? Ordinance on Vt Reading ? Ordinance on 2"d Reading ? Implementing Resolution ? Set Public Hearing For CONTINUED TO FILE NUMBER Adopt a resolution expressing support for the Orange County Water District's Prado Basin Feasibility Study. DISCUSSION The Orange County Water District (OCWD) has a long history of supporting ecosystem restoration projects in the central Santa Ana River watershed. OCWD is proposing a Prado Basin Feasibility Study that will facilitate solutions for regional ecosystem restoration and sediment management by employing a multijurisdictional, integrated watershed approach. Among other important benefits, the study will help preserve critical habitat of endangered species and reduce demand on water from the California Bay Delta system. The study will include an evaluation of methods for increasing storm water capture at the Prado Basin. Increasing storm water capture at Prado can provide up to an additional 30,000 acre-feet of water annually--enough water for nearly 250,000 people. The study would help save the ratepayers in the region up to $24 million annually by avoiding the high cost of importing water through the fragile Bay Delta or from the oversubscribed Colorado River, while also reducing our dependence on those sources. The study provides a model of regional collaboration for Southern California water agencies seeking to reduce impacts to the delta, protect and restore fragile ecosystems, and enhance water supply utilizing local resources. For these reasons, it is recommended that the City of Santa Ana adopt a resolution supporting the Prado Basin Feasibility Study. 55A-1 Resolution Supporting the Prado Basin Feasibility Study November 7, 2011 Page 2 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Although there is no environmental impact associated with this action, future benefits from the proposed study include preserving critical habitat and reducing water demands from the California Bay Delta system. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. 9 - r Raul Godine Executive Director Public Works Agency Exhibit 1: Resolution RB/Ic 55A-2 EXHIBIT 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2011- Lss10/18/11 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA IN SUPPORT OF ORANGE COUNTY WATER DISTRICT'S PRADO BASIN FEASIBILITY STUDY BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana hereby finds, determines and declares as follows: A. The Orange County Water District has proposed a Prado Basin Feasibility Study (hereinafter "Study") to evaluate regional ecosystem restoration and sediment management solutions through a multijurisdictional, integrated watershed approach; and B. Ecosystem restoration in the Santa Ana Watershed is critical to improving natural resource habitat and water quality; and C. Costly and limited imported water availability from the State Water Project and Colorado River has heightened the need to enhance water supply by increasing local stormwater capture; and D. The Study will evaluate opportunities for ecosystem restoration by developing a regional approach utilizing natural treatment systems throughout the Basin; and E. The Study will investigate opportunities for wetland pond creation, habitat restoration, new nature trails and recreational facilities, and water quality enhancements; and F. The Study will evaluate increasing the amount of stormwater that can be captured at Prado with a goal of providing up to an additional 30,000 acre- feet of water annually, enough water for nearly 250,000 people; and G. The implementation of projects based on the Study may save the ratepayers in the region up to twenty-four million dollars ($24,000,000) annually by avoiding the high cost of importing water through the fragile Bay-Delta or from the oversubscribed Colorado River, while also reducing our dependence from those sources; and Resolution No. 2011- Page 1 of 3 55A-3 H. Increasing the amount of water captured at Prado can be implemented without any construction costs or infrastructure modifications; and The Study will investigate solutions for accumulated sediment that negatively impacts water storage and threatens critical habitat of endangered species, upsets ecosystem values, and reduces the supply of sand to replenish beaches; and The Study provides an opportunity to develop comprehensive solutions for Prado Basin's ecosystem, additional stormwater capture and sediment issues impacting Orange County in a cost-effective, holistic, watershed- based approach. Section 2. The City Council of the City of Santa Ana supports the Prado Basin Feasibility Study. Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council, and the Clerk of the Council shall attest to and certify the vote adopting this Resolution. ADOPTED this day of November, 2011. Miguel A. Pulido Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: Joseph Straka Interim City Attorney By: Laura Sheedy Assistant City Attorney Resolution No. 2011- Page 2 of 3 55A-4 AYES: Councilmembers NOES: Councilmembers ABSTAIN: Councilmembers NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY I, Maria D. Huizar, Clerk of the Council, do hereby attest to and certify the attached Resolution No. 2011- to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Ana on Date: Clerk of the Council City of Santa Ana Resolution No. 2011- Page 3 of 3 55A-5 55A-6