Resolution 2686-98
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RESOLUTION NO. 2686-98
A Resolution of the South Tahoe Public Utility District
Declaring an Emergency, Authorizing Contracts Without Bids,
Delegating Authority to Order Emergency Action and
Determining CEQA Exemption
Gardner Mountain and South Y Replacement Wells
WHEREAS, the number one mission of the South Tahoe Public Utility District is to
ensure a safe and reliable supply of drinking water; and
WHEREAS, the Tata Lane 1-4, Julie, and South Y Wells have been contaminated by
Methyl tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE), which due to taste and odor and unknown health risks
poses a danger to public health throughout the Gardner Mountain and South Y area; and
WHEREAS, these wells were immediately shut down upon confirmed detection of
12 MTBE; and
WHEREAS, the loss of the Gardner Mountain Wells represent 78% of the drinking
water production in the Gardner Mountain Zone, and the loss of Tata Wells 1-3, along with
the previous loss of the Helen Wells due to a nearby MTBE plume, represent 58% of the
drinking water production in the Airport Zone; and
WHEREAS, these wells, by the nature of their design and hydraulic influencewithin the
Lake Tahoe Basin, may influence further migration of the contaminate in the aquifer; and
WHEREAS, the Tata Lane Well has been determined, by virtue of its dominant
influence on the migration of the MTBE plume, to be a desirable extraction well for the
purpose of control and remediation of the entire plume, and can not be used for public water
22 supply in the foreseeable future; and
23 WHEREAS, an analysis of the District's options for recovering it's water supply has
24 been completed with all due haste; and
25 WHEREAS, substantial evidence has been provided to the District which
26 demonstrates immediate action is necessary to prevent this loss or impairment, replace these
27 facilities, and enter into agreements with contractors and vendors to replace these facilities;
28 and
Resolution No. 2686-98
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3 WHEREAS, emergency projects are exempt from the requirements of the California
4 Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA guidelines sections 15269 and 15369.
5 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, AS FOllOWS:
6 1. The contamination of the aquifer by MTBE is a sudden, unexpected occurrence
7 requiring immediate action to prevent or mitigate the loss or impairment of
8 health, property, and essential services and is therefore an emergency.
9 2. The emergency will not permit a delay resulting from a competitive solicitation
10 for bids.
11 3. Immediate actions directly related to the emergency, including destruction of the
12 existing wells, the design and construction of a new well not susceptible to
13 MTBE, and actions to procure the necessary equipment, services and supplies
14 are necessary to respond to the emergency and shall be made without giving
\. 15 notice for bids to let contracts.
16 4. The General Manager of the District is hereby authorized and directed to order
17 any action necessary and appropriate to respond to the emergency.
18 5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately.
19 WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing Resolution
20 was duly and regularly adopted and passed by the Board of Directors of South Tahoe Public
21 Utility District at a regular meeting held on September 17,1998 by the following vote:
22 AYES:
23 NOES:
24 ABSENT:
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\." Resolution No. 2686-98
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ATTEST:
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Kathy Sha\!:, Clerk or/r;e Board and
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Ex-Officio ecretary to the Board of Directors
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