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RESOLUTION R-1920-64: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, AUTHORIZING THE CHAIRMAN TO SUBMIT A WATERSMART COOPERATIVE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROGRAM PHASE I GRANT APPLICATION TO THE UNITED STATES BUREAU OF RECLAMATION.
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BACKGROUND: Lake Thunderbird was constructed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in 1965 to impound the upper reaches of Little River and several tributaries east of Norman, Oklahoma north of State Highway 9. The watershed drains 256 square miles in Oklahoma and Cleveland Counties including Norman, Oklahoma City and Moore, as well as small parts of unincorporated Oklahoma and Cleveland Counties. The Lake is operated by the Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District on behalf of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. In addition, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the flood control elements of Lake Thunderbird. Finally, the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation manages the parks and recreation services at the Lake.
The Lake provides drinking water for the cities of Norman, Midwest City, and Del City. It also provides a myriad of recreational opportunities for citizens of Norman and of the State of Oklahoma as a warm water aquatic community affording quality fishing for a variety of species and as a primary body contact water body providing recreational boating and water sports activities. In order to continue to provide these recreational opportunities and continue to provide quality drinking water, the Lake must meet certain Water Quality Standards. These Standards are set by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for the purpose of maintaining the beneficial uses of water bodies in the State including lakes and streams.
Stormwater runoff to Lake Thunderbird has increased in both quantity and velocity as the populations of the nearby cities that deliver the vast majority of the stormwater runoff to the Lake have grown. Unintended consequences of strong growth include pollution in the water that runs off of the streets, buildings and lawns of the growing cities. This water flow carries sediment which clouds the water in the Lake and reduces its capacity and depth while also carrying other pollutants such as nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. All three of these pollutants are causing degradation to the water quality in the streams and in turn to the Lake.
In August 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency placed Lake Thunderbird on its 303(d) List of Impaired Waterbodies. This led to the establishment of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) by ODEQ in November of 2013.
In September 2019, the United States Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) released Funding Opportunity Announcement No. BOR-DO-19-F010, which is for a funding program entitled “WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program”. This program provides funding to watershed groups to encourage diverse stakeholders to form local solutions to address their water management needs.
The preliminary goal of this project, if funded, is to establish a new watershed group for the Lake Thunderbird watershed. The preliminary objectives to meet this goal include: 1) establishing the Lake Thunderbird Watershed Partnership (LTWP) as a legal entity with the State of Oklahoma and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service; 2) enhancing and expanding the public outreach materials and strategies available for use by LTWP members by engaging stakeholders through a Unified Public Education and Outreach Plan; and 3) conducting pre-planning activities necessary to develop an outline of an Integrated Watershed Management Program.
The LTWP is currently acting as an ad hoc partnership working collaboratively with the Cities of Oklahoma City, Moore and Norman. The current organizational structure has worked due to the consistency of the member representatives. Formalizing the organization will bring together the various stakeholders within the watershed, enable the continuation of the LTWP into the future, and foster the development of an integrated water planning program.
DISCUSSION: This is an opportunity to apply for Federal funding assistance, which if secured, would greatly improve cooperation with other stakeholders within the Lake Thunderbird Watershed with the ultimate goal of improving Lake Thunderbird’s water quality.
The BOR’s intention in requesting an Official Resolution is to verify:
1. The identity of the official with legal authority to enter into a financial assistance agreement;
2. The board of directors, governing body, or appropriate official who has reviewed and support the application being submitted;
3. The capability of the applicant to provide the amount of funding and/or in-kind contributions specified in the funding plan; and
4. That the applicant will work with the BOR to meet established deadlines for entering into a grant or cooperative funding agreement.
No matching funds are required from the local agency for this grant program. The total grant amount being applied for is $85,500.00. The City’s proposal is to use the grant funds, if awarded, to establish the Lake Thunderbird Watershed Partnership as a formal watershed group, enhancing and expanding the public outreach materials and strategies, and conducting pre-planning activities necessary to develop an outline of an Integrated Watershed Management Program.
The application and resolution do not commit the City of Norman to accepting funds. Such a commitment would be required if and when the City of Norman entered into a grant agreement, a decision that would return to Council for approval if the grant is secured.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of Resolution No. R-1920-64, authorizing the submittal of a Financial Assistance Application to the United States Bureau of Reclamation for the WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program Phase I Grant and to potentially enter into a financing agreement under the program.