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RESOLUTION R-1819-43: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE TRANSFER OF TITLE OF THE NORMAN PROJECT (LAKE THUNDERBIRD) TO THE CENTRAL OKLAHOMA MASTER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT ("COMCD"); REQUESTING COMCD UNDERTAKE A LONG TERM OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS AND COST OF SERVICE STUDY TO ASSIST THE BOARD AND THE MEMBER CITIES IN DETERMINING LONG TERM IMPACTS; AND URGING COMCD TO PRESERVE THE RECREATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE LAKE SHOULD TITLE TRANSFER BE ACHIEVED.
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BACKGROUND: After water supply issues for nearby communities arose in the 1940's, the Bureau of Reclamation ("BOR") identified the Little River Basin as a possible reservoir site in the late 1940's and early 1950's. A plan was introduced in 1954 to construct one large reservoir and dam on the Little River, which would provide flood control and address water supply problems in nearby cities, including Norman, Midwest City, and Del City. The Central Oklahoma Master Conservancy District ("COMCD") was formed in 1959 and the plan to construct the "Norman Project" was authorized by the United States Congress in 1960, with federal funding for the project being authorized in 1961 and 1962 appropriation bills. In 1961, COMCD entered into a contract with the United States for the construction, operation and maintenance of the Norman Project, now Lake Thunderbird, and for the repayment of certain costs of construction, operation, and maintenance. Each beneficiary city, Midwest City, Del City and Norman, also entered into agreements with COMCD to provide for each cities proportionate share of costs and water supply. Since 1961, the three cities have paid over $58,000,000 in construction costs, interest, operation and maintenance of the Norman Project. The federal government maintains title to the Project and contracts with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department for the management of the recreational benefits while the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation mana...
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