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<br />Executive Summary <br /> <br />just like they are dependent on road, water, and sewer services. The construction and <br />maintenance of these systems have been deferred for years in favor of other projects. <br /> <br />If nothing is done to address this problem, people and property in the Yalley are subject to <br />hazards, including personal injury and loss of life, as well as erosion of property, and damage to <br />roads, water, sewer, and irrigation systems. <br /> <br />Studies and system-wide upgrades are required to minimize what could be catastrophic damages <br />and loss of lives in a large storm such as happened in Fort Collins in 1997. In addition, <br />significant cost savings are possible when a system is properly planned, designed, and <br />constructed. The current practice often defers system construction until after development has <br />occurred and performs maintenance only in response to critical needs. Without a dedicated <br />program and funding source to address this problem, a continual drain will occur to city, town, <br />and county budgets. If problems continue to be deferred, the price tag for upgrades that will <br />have to be done someday will continue to escalate. <br /> <br />In recognition of the problem described above, elected officials from Mesa County, the <br />Grand Junction Drainage District, the City of Grand Junction, the City of Fruita, and the Town of <br /> <br /> <br />Palisade passed resolutions authorizing a <br />feasibility study of the potential for <br />unification of common stormwater <br />activities. The resolution also authorized <br />formation of a Steering Committee to <br />solicit citizen input and advisory <br />recommendations on stormwater and <br />drainage issues. The objective of the <br />committee's work was to determine if there <br />was a problem and, if so, a potential <br />solution. <br /> <br />Since December 2002, the Steering <br />Committee participated in monthly working <br />meetings and studied the reports prepared <br />by staff of the five entities and consultants. <br />These reports describe stormwater <br />management problems in the valley, stormwater activities and budgets of the entities and <br />irrigations districts, and presented organizational and funding alternatives to improve service. <br /> <br />'~ <br />."~i <br /> <br />STEERING COMMITTEE CONSENSUS REACHED <br /> <br />Based on their work since December, the Steering Committee has come to consensus on two <br />major points: <br /> <br />I. There are significant problems with the stormwater system in the Grand Yalley and with <br />the coordination of the different responsible entities. <br /> <br />2. A valley-wide Drainage Authority is needed to coordinate the many problems associated <br />with water flowing from one jurisdiction to another. <br /> <br />URS <br /> <br />T:\PROJECTS\22236022_GRANO_VALlEYlSUS_00\6.0_PROJ_DELIVIFINAL REPQRT\FINAL REPT REV 4.DQC\9-JUL.03\\ ES- 3 <br />