TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 6, 2016
COMMITTEE ON ENGINEERING
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authority to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding with the DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup for collaboration on stream restoration projects
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District) to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup (DRSCW) for collaboration on stream restoration projects.
The DRSCW was organized in 2005 to monitor, maintain and improve stream quality in the watersheds of the Salt Creek and the East and West Branches of the DuPage River. The Egan Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) and the Hanover Park WRP discharge into Salt Creek and the West Branch of the DuPage River, respectively. The District is a founding member of DRSCW and continues as an active board member. The DRSCW has negotiated a special condition to be included in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits of various dischargers located in the subject watershed.
The DRSCW Implementation Plan (Plan) dated April 16, 2015 outlined the projects and activities that, if implemented, will improve the stream quality in the target waterbodies. This Plan also contained the estimated project assessments to be paid by each participating DRSCW Agency member. Assessments for the District were calculated to be approximately $4.2 million.
At the Study Session on November 19, 2015, the Board of Commissioners indicated its support for the District to voluntarily contribute funds to projects that seek to improve water quality in streams impacted by the District’s Egan and Hanover Park WRPs, in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000.00. The MOU would formalize the level of support and the projects in the proposed Special Condition that are pertinent to the District. Further approval by the Board of Commissioners will be sought prior to negotiating agreements to establish financial and other obligations in connection with the stream restoration projections.
Accordingly, authority is requested to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding with the DRSW for collaboration on stream restoration projects consistent with the foregoing discussion.
Requested, John P. Murray, Acting Director of Maintenance and Operations, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, BAP:SO’C
Recommended, David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Respectfully Submitted, Frank Avila, Chairman Committee on Engineering
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for October 6, 2016