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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7 - Boulder Reservoir Master Plan Update CITY OF BOULDER WATER RESOURCES ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA ITEM MEETING DATE: August 17, 2009 AGENDA TITLE: Boulder Reservoir Master Plan Update. PRESENTERS: Bev Johnson, Department of Community Planning, Project Manager Bret Linenfelser, Water Quality Coordinator EXECUTIVE SLIMIVIARY: The purpose of this item is to provide the Water Resources Advisory Board (WRAB) with an overview of the Boulder Reservoir Master Plan project scope, process and schedule. Staff would also like input from board members on draft goals, vision statement and challenges outlined by staff (Attachment B). The purpose of the Boulder Reservoir Master Plan project is to establish management goals and objectives for Parks and Recreation Department managed land and activities at the Boulder Reservoir (including Tom Watson Park and Coot Lake) that will guide long-term investment strategies. An interdepartmental staff team has been assembled and staff has initiated Phase I of a three phase process for developing the plan (Attachment A). WRAB will be asked to provide feedback on the plan during each phase of the project. Staff anticipates completion of a master plan by the second quarter of 2010. QUESTIONS: The following is a list of questions to guide the WRAB's discussion of this item: 1. Does the WRAB have any comments or questions about the scope and process for the Boulder Reservoir Master Plan? (Attachment A) 2. Does the WRAB have any issues or concerns it would like to see addressed in the Boulder Reservoir Master Plan? 3. Does the WRAB have any comments on the draft goals, vision statement and challenges? (Attachment B) BACKGROUND: The Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (NCWCD) was created in 1937 to provide water for agricultural, municipal, domestic and industrial uses in northeastern Colorado. The NCWCD was established as the local agency to contract with the United States Bureau of Reclamation to build the Colorado-Big Thompson (CBT) project. The CBT project stores water from the Colorado River headwaters in a series of reservoirs on Colorado's West Slope. Water AGENDA ITEM # 7 PAGE 1 is transported, via the 13-mile Alva B. Adams Tunnel, through the mountains to the NCWCD's eight-county service areas on the eastern slope. In 1954, the City of Boulder (city) and the NCWCD made an agreement for the development of Big Thompson water for domestic and agricultural demands. That year, the Boulder Reservoir was built at the cost of $1,190,000 as a regulator for all Big Thompson water delivered beyond the Boulder Reservoir. Subsequently, the city developed Boulder Reservoir into a water-oriented recreational area. In November 1981, a bond issue was passed and in 1983 the first Boulder Reservoir Development Master Plan was completed. The purpose of the plan was to investigate alternative master planning approaches for development of the south shore as a recreation facility. The city's Utilities Division of the Department of Public Works owns the majority of the land around Boulder Reservoir and is responsible for providing safe drinking water for the city (see Attachment C). The Department of Parks and Recreation manages the recreation area on the south shore, as well as 574 acres of natural land around the reservoir (see Attachment D). The Boulder Reservoir is the site for several large-scale special events in Boulder and the venue for many active and passive recreational uses such as boating, picnicking, wildlife viewing and fishing. The Department of Parks and Recreation also hosts triathlons and marathons, races for people and dogs, and concerts and festivals at the site. In 2005, Boulder Reservoir hosted 19 events that together attracted more than 40,000 people. Thirteen picnic sites that accommodate as many as 1,000 people can be reserved for events such as company picnics and family reunions. The master plan for the reservoir has not been updated since 1983. Over the years, a variety of amenities have been added and recreational use has increased throughout the area. An updated master plan is necessary to determine future direction for the operations and management of the site, to establish investment priorities and capital needs. PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE PROJECT: The purpose of the Boulder Reservoir Master Plan is to establish management objectives for Parks and Recreation managed land and activities at the Boulder Reservoir (including Tom Watson Park and Coot Lake) that will guide future investment strategies (see study area in Attachment C). The plan will be developed through an interdepartmental staff team in order to coordinate city-wide goals, issues, management plans, and operations. The plan also will integrate the principles of economic, social and environmental sustainability and will include but not be limited to recommendations about recreational uses, financial management, operations, access and transportation connections, event management, hardscapes and turf management, natural land management, water quality protection, and water conservation. The Boulder Reservoir Master Plan will help implement the City of Boulder Parks and Recreation 2006 Master Plan. The 2006 plan includes investment priorities guided by community input, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and City Council. The Parks and Recreation Department's investment priorities are based on the city's business plan and the department's financial situation. Investment priorities for recreation facility development are AGENDA ITEM # 7 PAGE 2 prioritized based on making needed improvements within a fiscally constrained funding level and leveraging existing infrastructure and resources by investing in revenue producing facilities such as the Boulder Reservoir. The Parks and Recreation Department's master plan also includes a goal to prepare management plans for all developed and undeveloped lands. PROCESS AND SCHEDULE: The Boulder Reservoir Master Plan project will be conducted in the following three phases: Phase I: Vision, Goals and Issues (May -December 2009) Phase II: Plan Alternatives (January - April 2010) Phase III: Draft and Final Master Plan (May - July 2010) Staff has begun the initial phase of the project and anticipates completion of the plan by the second quarter of 2010. The Department of Parks and Recreation is coordinating the planning project and resultant operational changes with the departments of Public Works (Transportation, Utilities and Facilities and Asset Management), Fire, Community Planning, Police, and Open Space and Mountain Parks. The staff work group is comprised of staff from these departments as outlined below. Core Work Group: Planning Bev Johnson, Project Manager Parks and Recreation Alice Guthrie Matt Claussen Stacy Cole Utilities Kim Hutton Bret Linenfelser Michelle Wind Jim Shelley Additional Advisory Staff: Open Space and Mountain Parks Matt Jones Police Dave Hayes Fire Frank Young A public process is planned for each phase of the project to gather community input regarding future operations and uses of the reservoir. Staff will provide the public with on-going updates through the Parks and Recreation Department's Web site, Twitter and notices to the project e- mail list subscribers. The first public meeting was held on July 13, 2009 to introduce the project to the public and to get feedback on the draft goals, vision statement and challenges as presented by staff. Approximately 80 people attended the meeting and participated in small group discussions. (see "Comments from July 13, 2009 Public Meeting" at the following Web site: www.bouldercolorado.gov > Parks & Recreation > Recreation Facilities > Boulder Reservoir > Reservoir Master Plan Project AGENDA ITEM # 7 PAGE 3 The WRAB will have an opportunity to provide input on the plan with each phase of the project. The role of the WRAB will be to advise staff, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) and City Council on utility-related goals, policies and issues as they relate to recreational use and natural land management at the Boulder Reservoir. The WRAB will also be asked to review a draft version of the Boulder Reservoir Master Plan and consider a recommendation to City Council on adoption of a final plan. This project will be concurrent with the Lyons-to-Boulder Trail (formerly the Feeder Canal Trail) process. The Lyons-to-Boulder Trail is expected to terminate at the north end of the Boulder Reservoir and will affect the Boulder Reservoir Master Plan. Initial issues with the development and management of the trail were identified in the Community Environmental and Assessment Process that was approved by City Council in March 2006. Staff will coordinate both planning processes in order to fully address potential impacts to the facilities and budgets of both the Department of Public Works and the Department of Parks and Recreation. NEXT STEPS: Staff is currently conducting a visitor use survey for the Boulder Reservoir Master Plan. Staff also is planning to hold focus group discussions to get public input on visitation, use preferences, current regulations and future needs. Once the survey results are complete, staff will hold a public hearing with the PRAB in October for its input on the goals and challenges. A study session with City Council is tentatively scheduled for December S, 2009. ATTACHMENTS: A: Process and Schedule for the Boulder Reservoir Master Plan B: Draft Goals, Vision Statement and Challenges C: Map of Study Area and Land Ownership D: Map of Current Management Responsibilities AGENDA ITEM # 7 PAGE 4 ATTACHMENT A Process for the Boulder Reservoir Master Plan August 7, 2009 Phase 1 Phase 11 Phase III VISION, GOALS AND ISSUES PLAN ALTERNATIVES DRAFT AND FINAL PLAN April - December 2009 January -April 2010 April - July 2010 Staff work group develops Staff develops draft policy options Draft plan preliminary vision and goals I_ la Public workshop on policy options Staff work group outlines "Are these the right options Public open house on draft plan preliminary key challenges Board recommendations on policy options "Are these the right options? Board recommendation on draft plan Public meeting on vision, goals _a 0 WRAB and key challenges City Council public hearing on policy oSBT • PRAB options Board input on Staff evaluates policy options Proposed final plan Vision, Goals, Challenges • WRAB n • PRAB ~L Public workshop on preferred options n City Council review and ~fL consideration of final plan City Council Study Board recommendations on preferred Session options ill City Council public hearing on preferred options AGENDA ITEM # 7 PAGE 5 ATTACHMENT B Draft Vision, Mission and Goals Vision: The Boulder Reservoir is an exceptional multi-use resource that contributes to the health and well-being of the Boulder community and to the quality of the natural environment. The reservoir with its surrounding park and natural lands is a model to other communities for applying the principles of sustainability to the management of a water, recreational and natural resource. The reservoir is first and foremost a water storage facility that provides clean, safe, and reliable drinking water to the city. The reservoir's setting and close proximity to an urban area also make it an important recreational facility with a range of year-round opportunities for both water and land-based activities. A variety of gathering spaces offer a peaceful refuge from urban life for community members. The open land surrounding the reservoir supports a diversity of wildlife and other natural resources and accentuates Boulder's long-standing commitment to conservation and preservation. Through the city's on-going management efforts, visitors become aware of the relationship among these uses and actively participate in the long-term stewardship of the Boulder Reservoir. Mission: The mission of the city of Boulder in the management of the Boulder Reservoir area is to: • Provide clean, safe, reliable and treatable drinking water to the Boulder community; • Provide stewardship of the city lands and services for current and future generations; • Work collaboratively and efficiently as a city to seek a sustainable balance among the broad city goals and community needs; • Promote education and awareness of the city's on-going effort to continually balance its water quality, recreation and natural resource protection goals. • Provide a high-quality recreational facility to the region; Goals for the Master Plan: 1. Protect and conserve the water supply and identify and manage pollutant sources. 2. Balance multiple city goals in the long-term development and use of the Boulder Reservoir area. 3. Identify sensitive wildlife and plant species and protect and enhance their natural habitat. 4. Provide for a range of high-quality recreational uses and events. 5. Identify and prioritize facilities and services needs to support recreational goals. 6. Ensure the security and integrity of the facilities and infrastructure at the Boulder Reservoir area. 7. Promote and support the safety of visitors to the Boulder Reservoir area. AGENDA ITEM # 7 PAGE 6 S. Develop and support a variety of self-sustaining revenue sources to support long-term management of the Boulder Reservoir area. 9. Develop and implement an on-going education and outreach program. 10. Coordinate with other agencies and departments to efficiently manage the Boulder Reservoir area. AGENDA ITEM # 7 PAGE 7 Attachment C l Ownership `i ❑ Boulder Reservoir Master Plan 2009 City of Boulder Parks and Recreation d6 Dry Coot Lake i m~ t- Parks & Recreation Ownership Parks and Utilities Joint Ownership IBM Utilities Ownership Dry CleOpen Space and Mountain Parks ~,k Conservation Easement Fee Property i Study Area j rs City Limits + 4Iltle Dry CreE~ Boulder / o~ / Creek Reselvo( / Intermittent Creek Ditch ❑ Ownership Parcels rr. - Lrtri Lookout Rd 4*0 I It, 'r~r Y 1 F: P I I I f I IF- ~e ID T ine Rd ams 0 500 1,000 Feet ~ r i oca IF } 1 ! 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' r 7ti ell PI ate. a{• a ,ra X' } Lookout Rd } f t r ,icC J t r ark r V LF Lokl~ ! 1 I r Fo a"s WT-0 seine Rd 0 0 500 1,000 Feet T m ~ 1 \1` 3 Tr Kelso Rd erial Photography Spring 2