Resolution No. 24 for 2024 - Water Quality Emergency Declaration

A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING A STATE OF EMERGENCY CONCERNING THE 2024 GREEN PETER DRAWDOWN

WHEREAS, the City of Sweet Home has the authority granted under ORS Chapter 401 and the Sweet Home Municipal Code Chapter 2.52.030, that provides direction to the City, its officials, and others in the event of an emergency that exists within the City; and

WHEREAS, the Sweet Home Municipal Code Chapter 2.52 designates the City Manager as the City of Sweet Home Emergency Program Manager; and

WHEREAS, Sweet Home Municipal Code Section 2.52.040(A) empowers the Emergency Program Manager to request the Sweet Home City Council to proclaim the existence of a State of Emergency for the City of Sweet Home; and

WHEREAS, the City of Sweet Home is gravely concerned about the potential negative impacts from the planned deep drawdown operations at Green Peter Reservoir, which could disrupt the water supply and impact public health, particularly through turbidity and contaminants entering Foster Lake, which serves as the primary source of drinking water for the City of Sweet Home; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has initiated drawdown operations at Green Peter Reservoir as part of a fish passage measure, which is anticipated to result in elevated turbidity levels and potential impacts to water quality, similar to what was experienced during the 2023 drawdown; and

WHEREAS, the City of Sweet Home has made significant efforts to increase filtration capacity and improve its water treatment system to address potential disruptions, but remains concerned about the scale and intensity of potential turbidity and sediment levels, which may still pose a risk to public health; and

WHEREAS, the City of Sweet Home, alongside other affected municipalities, has engaged in litigation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to address these concerns, but the recent Court order approving a modified drawdown with no anticipated imp_rovement in elevated turbidity necessitates additional emergency measures to protect public health; and

WHEREAS, an emergency response and communication plan is in place, and the City will coordinate with Linn County, neighboring cities, and State agencies to ensure all necessary precautions are taken during the drawdown period; and

WHEREAS, the City is committed to providing accurate and timely information to the public regarding water safety, and will continue monitoring turbidity levels closely to ensure compliance with state and federal drinking water standards.

NOW, THEREFORE, the City of Sweet Home does resolve as follows:

Section 1. The City Council hereby declares a State of Emergency for the City of Sweet Home.

Section 2. During the existence of said Emergency, the powers, functions, and duties of the Sweet Home Emergency Program Manager and the emergency organization of this city shall be those prescribed by state law and by ordinances and resolutions of this City.

Section 3. This State of Emergency shall exist for the period of time during which conditions resulting from the impacts of the Green Peter Reservoir drawdown operations, including the degradation of water quality, turbidity levels, and potential contamination of Foster Lake, persist and continue to threaten the public health, safety, and welfare of our community and its residents.

Section 4. This resolution is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until at least until December 31, 2024, but may be extended through a revised declaration, if the conditions described in Section 3 are likely to remain in existence.

PASSED by the Council and approved by the Mayor, this 8th day of October, 2024.