To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Mark Marlowe, P.E., Director of Castle Rock Water
Matt Benak, P.E., Water Resources Manager
Lauren Moore, Water Resources Program Analyst
Jakob Hartmann, Water Resources Program Analyst
Title
Resolution Approving the 2022 Spot Water Lease Agreement Between the Town of Castle Rock and United Water & Sanitation District [Chatfield Reservoir, Douglas County]
Body
________________________________________________________________________________
Executive Summary
Castle Rock Water is seeking Town Council approval of a resolution (Attachment A) for a spot water lease with United Water & Sanitation District (United). In anticipation of drought conditions this summer, United wishes to lease some of the Town’s surplus water stored in Chatfield Reservoir to augment their downstream reservoir diversions from the main stem of the South Platte River. While the Town currently owns 590 acre feet (AF) of storage in Chatfield, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) allows for rental of the remaining permitted amount, for a total of 2,000 AF of storage. The Town currently has upwards of 1,025 AF of water stored in the reservoir with additional reusable supplies coming in each day.
If Council approves this lease, up to 400 AF of water would be released from the Town’s Chatfield Reservoir storage account into the main stem of the South Platte River. This release would occur between March 2, 2022 and December 31, 2022. The Town will assess a $355 per AF price for the water, with a minimum lease of 20 AF. Initial payment of $7,100 for the minimum 20 AF lease will be required 10 days from approval of this lease, with the remaining quantity to be paid upon subsequent releases. The potential revenue for this lease is up to $142,000. The agreement will terminate at the end of 2022.
History of Past Town Council, Boards & Commissions, or Other Discussions
Castle Rock Water Commission was informed of the lease at their March 24, 2021 meeting and recommended approval of the 2021 Water Lease Agreement.
On April 6, 2021, Town Council unanimously approved the 2021 Water Lease Agreement.
Castle Rock Water staff presented this Resolution to the Castle Rock Water Commission at their meeting held on February 23, 2022, and the Castle Rock Water Commission voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend Town Council approve the Resolution as presented.
Discussion
Castle Rock Water has a strategic goal to strive to maintain sustainable rates and fees, and demonstrate fiscal responsibility, accountability, and transparency. One of the tactics to achieve this goal is to maximize leasing opportunities for idle water rights. Over the past four years the Town has generated over $630,000 by leasing idle water rights to downstream users (see Table 1 below). Until these water rights can be fully utilized by the Town, Staff will continue to seek out users that can put these rights to beneficial use.
Table 1. Revenue generated from leasing idle water rights to downstream users over the past four years.
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
$29,019.13 |
$30,606.65 |
$70,699.75 |
$499,449.73 |
The Town currently owns 590 AF of storage space in Chatfield Reservoir and plans to eventually reach 2,000 AF of storage by 2031. As part of the option agreement the Town has with CWCB, the Town will purchase blocks of storage over the next 10 years. Currently, the Town is planning to purchase 129 AF in 2022. This will provide 719 AF of total storage by the end of 2022. The Town will then have two deferrals remaining until the full storage space is realized within the 10-year period.
As mentioned in the Executive Summary, the Town has been able to store excess supplies in Chatfield Reservoir over the past year, which have exceeded the purchased storage amounts (590 AF). Since the Town does not physically have a way to utilize these excess storage supplies at this point in time, CWCB has developed a lease agreement with the Town to lease the option amount for $50/AF. This lease with CWCB has a current annual lease rate of $64,050 for 1,281 AF (2,000 AF - 719 AF) of storage space. The spot lease with United would allow the Town to further maximize storage space within the reservoir and will more than cover the annual lease option of storage space with CWCB.
Budget Impact
If Council approves the agreement, Castle Rock Water would receive $7,100 - $142,000 of additional revenue in 2022. The revenue will be deposited into the Water Resources Fund Capital Leases account 211-4375-393.70-00.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the resolution as presented.
Proposed Motion
“I move to approve the resolution as introduced by title”.
Alternative Motions
“I move to approve the resolution as introduced by title, with the following conditions: (list conditions).
“I move to continue this item to the Town Council meeting on _____ date to allow additional time to (list information needed).”
Attachments
Attachment A: Resolution
Exhibit 1: Agreement