HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 1/10/2023 - Memorandum From Richard Thorp Re: Fort Collins Urban Lakes Water Quality Management Policy And Guidance Development
Utilities
electric · stormwater · wastewater · water
222 Laporte Ave
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.212.2900
V/TDD: 711
utilities@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/utilities
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: January 3, 2023
TO: Mayor Arndt and Councilmembers
FROM: Richard Thorp, Lead Specialist, Sciences, Utilities Water Quality Services
Division
THROUGH: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Jason Graham, Director of Water, Utilities
RE: FORT COLLINS URBAN LAKES WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT
POLICY AND GUIDANCE DEVELOPMENT
______________________________________________________________________________
Bottom Line
The purpose of this memo is to provide information about the development of the City’s Urban
Lakes Water Quality Management Policy and Guidance. No action is being requested at this
time.
Background
Water Quality is a term used to describe the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of
water relative to management goals. Managing water quality in the City’s Urban Lakes (City-
owned lakes, ponds and reservoirs) has become increasingly challenging due to pollution
associated with urban growth and development, land use practices and a warming climate. In
addition, a complete inventory of City-owned Urban Lakes has been lacking. And lastly, the
scope of the City’s water quality management jurisdiction has not been clearly defined. In a few
situations, this has led to uncertainty regarding whether City staff should provide technical
services to assist with managing water quality in private lakes.
To address these challenges, a project team consisting of staff from Utilities, Natural Areas and
Parks Departments, the City Attorney’s Office and SWCA Environmental Consultants are
currently developing an Urban Lakes Water Quality Management Policy and Guidance. The
Policy is meant to establish a vision, goals and objectives for managing water quality in the
City’s Urban Lakes and to clearly define the City’s management jurisdiction. The Guidance will
serve as a technical resource to assist City staff with implementing the Policy and will include an
inventory of the City’s Urban Lakes; a database containing lakes specific water quality data and
other information; lakes categorization based on management objectives; management
DocuSign Envelope ID: F25A3970-CB4E-4FA6-AE99-EC6760DF5269
prioritization based on water quality risk; and a summary of best practices for mitigating water
quality issues.
Policy and Guidance development are being informed by community engagement with local
subject matter experts; City advisory boards, including the Land Conservation and Stewardship
Board, Natural Resources Advisory Board, Parks and Recreation Board and Utilities Water
Commission; and the community at-large. The project team’s community engagement efforts
were designed to be equitable and inclusive in order to connect with traditionally
underrepresented sectors of the community.
Final drafts of the Policy and Guidance are expected to be completed during Q1 of 2023. These
materials and a summary of what was learned during community engagement will be presented
to the City advisory boards listed above. Staff anticipate that a resolution seeking adoption of the
City’s Urban Lakes Water Quality Management Policy will be presented to City Council on
March 9, 2023.
CC: Kendall Minor, Utilities Executive Director
Jill Oropeza, Director of Sciences, Utilities Water Quality Services Division
Matt Parker, Senior Supervisor, Natural Areas Department
Mike Calhoon, Director, Parks Department
DocuSign Envelope ID: F25A3970-CB4E-4FA6-AE99-EC6760DF5269