RESOLUTION NO. 57-96

AUTHORIZATION TO LEASE 3,700 ACRE FEET OF IRRIGATION WATER TO KANNAH CREEK AREA RANCHERS FOR 1996 IRRIGATION SEASON AT A RATE OF $50 FOR 1ST ACRE FOOT, $7.50 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL ACRE FOOT UP TO 25 ACRE FEET, $6.25 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL ACRE FOOT FROM 26 ACRE FEET THROUGH 100 ACRE FEET AND $5.00 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL ACRE FOOT OVER 100 ACRE FEET.

 WHEREAS, the City of Grand Junction has absolute and conditional water rights on Kannah Creek and the North Fork of Kannah Creek; and

 WHEREAS, the City has determined to, in 1996, lease water to ranchers in the Kannah Creek area on an “as-available” basis; and

 WHEREAS, the City has available an estimated 3,700 acre feet of water for the 1996 irrigation season; and

 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION:

 That in 1996 the City will offer, subject to the provisions of written agreements, to provide 2,000 acre feet of irrigation water to lessees of City property at no charge for irrigation purposes, and 1,700 acre feet of irrigation water to other ranchers in the Kannah Creek area at a rate of $50 for 1st acre foot, $7.50 for each additional acre foot up to 25 acre feet, $6,25 for each additional acre foot from 26 acre feet through 100 acre feet and $5.00 for each additional acre foot over 100 acre feet; and

 That the decision whether to make water available is made each year and may be limited in the future for any reason such as water supply conditions or future City usage; and

 That the City water is “supplemental water” to be used for existing agricultural uses and not for any expanded uses; and

 That this supplemental water will eventually be transferred to the City for municipal uses and that lessees of this water agree not to object to any such transfers of water, as more fully provided in the written agreement(s).

 PASSED and ADOPTED this 5th day of June, 1996.

Attest:

  /s/ Linda Afman

 President of the City Council

/s/ Stephanie Nye

City Clerk