TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 17, 2014
COMMITTEE ON MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authorization to adopt a rain barrel policy as a component of the District's Green Infrastructure Program (As Revised)
Body
Dear Sir:
The District has been an advocate of rain barrels as a form of green infrastructure designed to capture and reuse rain water. Since 2007, the District has distributed over 10,000 rain barrels in Cook County. On January 6, 2014, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois approved entry of a consent decree negotiated between the District and the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. As part of the consent decree, the District agreed to develop an enhanced Rain Barrel Distribution Program (program) within 120 days to further promote green infrastructure.
Generally, under the terms of the consent decree, the program must contain the following elements:
• Distribution of 10,000 low- or no-cost 55 gallon rain barrels within three years of the effective date of the Consent Decree with a cumulative distribution of 15,000 low- or no-cost rain barrels within five years of the effective date to communities within the District's service area;
• Distribution is to be through a variety of partnerships with municipalities, recreational facilities, arts programs and community partners;
• A label affixed to each rain barrel summarizing the environmental benefits of rain barrels and the Green Infrastructure Program;
• Report annually the marketing activities, the number of rain barrels distributed, describe technical assistance provided and an estimate of the potential volume of rainwater retained by the barrels distributed.
Attached for your consideration is the proposed program we are requesting to be adopted.
Requested, Manju P. Sharma, Director of Maintenance and Operations, MPS:AF:RMH
Recommended, Allison Fore, Public & Intergovernmental Affairs Officer and Ronald M. Hill, General Counsel
Respectfully Submitted, Frank Avila, Chairman Maintenance and Operations Committee
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for April 17, 2014
Attachment