TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JULY 10, 2014
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authority to approve and adopt amendments to the Cook County Stormwater Management Plan to be consistent with the Stormwater Management Act as amended by Public Act 98-0652 on June 18, 2014
Body
Dear Sir:
The Illinois General Assembly enacted Public Act 93-1049 (P.A. 93-1049) in 2004. P.A. 93-1049 placed countywide responsibility for stormwater management under the supervision of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District). As described in the Cook County Stormwater Management Plan (CCSMP), adopted on February 15, 2007 by the District's Board of Commissioners, the District may plan, manage, implement, and finance activities related to stormwater management in Cook County. These activities previously authorized under P.A. 93-1049 and further defined in the CCSMP and now known as Phase I of the District's Stormwater Management Program, include the development of Detailed Watershed Plans (DWPs), and the implementation of stormwater projects intended to address critical erosion and/or overbank flooding along regional waterways.
Due to the large number of local stormwater problems identified during the District's DWP studies or reported by local agencies, the enabling legislation was amended to give the District the authority to participate in addressing local stormwater problems. On June 18, 2014, Governor Pat Quinn signed HB 3912 into law, becoming Public Act 98-0652 (P.A. 98-0652), which amends the District's statutory authority to allow for acquisition of flood-prone properties and to plan, implement, finance, and operate local stormwater management projects. This component of the District's Stormwater Management Program will be known as Phase II. Under Phase II, it is the District's intention to assist local units of government to address local flooding, however this should not be construed to mean the District is required to address any and all local issues associated with stormwater management.
Accordingly, it is necessary to amend the CCSMP to be consistent with P.A. 98-0652. Revisions to the CCSMP have been prepared and provided to the public for its review. These revisions will allow the District to expand its role in addressing flooding issues throughout Cook County through its Phase II program. The amendments to the CCSMP include updated minimum requirements for both regional and local projects, and clarification on the types of projects that will be considered for implementation and assistance by the District.
It is hereby requested that the Board of Commissioners approve and adopt the amendments to the Cook County Stormwater Management Plan with an effective date of July 10, 2014.
Requested, Catherine A. O'Connor, Director of Engineering, WSS:JPM
Recommended, David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Respectfully Submitted, Michael A. Alvarez, Chairman Committee on Stormwater Management
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for July 10, 2014
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