TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 18, 2015
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authority to issue a three (3) year permit extension to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for continued access to Main Channel Parcel 15.05 in Lockport, Will County, Illinois to launch and retrieve boats to collect and analyze aquatic species in the Main Channel. Consideration shall be a nominal fee of $10.00
Body
Dear Sir:
On July 14, 2011, the Board of Commissioners ("Board") authorized a one (1) year permit to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources ("IDNR") on Main Channel Parcel 15.05 to launch and retrieve boats to collect and analyze aquatic species in the Main Channel. The permit, as extended, expires August 31, 2015. IDNR has requested a further extension for a three (3) year period for continued access to Main Channel Parcel 15.05 to continue to launch and retrieve boats.
The Army Corps of Engineers ("Corps") operates two electric aquatic nuisance barriers north of the 135th Street Bridge in the Main Channel to monitor Asian Carp and other species in the vicinity. The Board has authorized use of the boat ramp by IDNR and certain other state and federal agencies working with the Corps to launch boats to conduct surveys of fish populations and to collect fish species, including Asian Carp, to determine the effectiveness of the barriers.
IDNR now estimates that it will need an additional three (3) years to complete the monitoring project. IDNR plans to use the site 2-4 times per month and will be responsible for safety protocols for the boats and their crews.
The District's technical departments have reviewed this request and have no objections to issuing a three (3) year permit extension to IDNR. As is customary for agreements with government entities using District property for public purposes, it is recommended that consideration be a nominal fee of $10.00.
It is requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize and approve the issuance of a three (3) year permit extension to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for continued access to Main Channel Parcel 15.05 in Lockport, Will County, Illinois to launch and retrieve boats to collect and analyze aquatic species in the Main Channel. Consideration shall be a nominal fee of $10.00.
It is also requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize and direct the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Clerk to execute the permit extension agreement after it is approved by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Ronald M. Hill, General Counsel, RMH:STM:BEB:vp
Recommended, David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Respectfully Submitted, Mariyana T. Spyropoulos Chairman, Committee on Real Estate Development
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for June 18, 2015
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