Drought Vulnerability Assessment SOW

Home Browse Search

systems are more affected by factors that influence hydrology, stream characteristics, and temperature. Reduced stream flow diminishes aquatic habitat and degrades water quality. Those changes reduce the habitability of the ecosystem for fish and increase the vulnerability of species populations up and down the food chain. The National Drought Policy Act of 1998 recognizes the need to prepare for and lessen the severe impacts of drought. The National Drought Policy Commission has stated that effective drought plans should consider the allocation of water to meet the need to protect the environment and to meet immediate human needs. Indirect Societal Effects: Local, regional, and statewide economies are vulnerable to drought impacts. Economic impacts of drought include decreased land value, reduced economic development, higher food costs, loss of revenue to federal, state and local governments, unemployment, and rural population loss. Socially, drought negatively impacts human health, increases conflicts among water users (especially those with differing water values), reduces the quality of life, and can ultimately result in changes in lifestyle. Droughts disrupt cultural belief systems, and bring re- evaluation of social values to the forefront. Power: The hydropower sector in Colorado is vulnerable to drought. As the flow of water diminishes during drought, the hydropower sector can incur severe economic losses. Lower water flows reduce the amount of power generated and the revenues for the industry, increasing costs associated with purchasing replacement power, and increasing electricity rates for the customer. Fossil fuel and nuclear plants typically require large volumes of water to generate steam for turbines and to use as cooling water. When in- stream flow is lowered by drought, thermal discharge limits can potentially limit the operating capacity of some of these plants. The following work plan describes how we propose to accomplish the development of the vulnerability assessment to meet FEMA requirements and to guide the State in determining risk and vulnerability of assets. Excerpts of specific points taken from the RFP are noted where they coincide with the scope of work. AMEC's approach will be to develop a rigorous yet flexible vulnerability assessment approach that will allow us to meet FEMA requirements, but also to determine the risk and vulnerability of assets to drought across sectors and physiographic provinces of the state. Outputs from this analysis will be used to support an updated drought mitigation plan that incorporates adaptive capacity actions that integrate measures to compensate for climate change, identifies hazard mitigation goals, and provides recommendations for improved drought policies and mitigation efforts. Our approach is based on a strong and proactive process that will fully incorporate the state drought planning team in development of the vulnerability assessment approach while engaging stakeholders and the public. Interim deliverables and timeframes are identified at the end of each task. Task 1: Organize Resources Upon award of the contract, key members of the AMEC Team will meet with the CWCB project manager to refine the project scope and schedule, gather initial data and documents, and plan the project kickoff meeting.