TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JANUARY 5, 2017
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authority to negotiate a Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement with the Department of the Army, represented by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), to collaborate on flood control improvements to the McCook Levee
Body
Dear Sir:
Authority is requested to negotiate a Federal Cost Sharing Agreement (FCSA) with the Department of the Army, represented by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), to collaborate on flood control improvements to the McCook Levee.
During preliminary engineering for a Stormwater Management project which included analysis of the McCook Ditch, the District identified potential deficiencies in the McCook Levee, starting at 47th Street at the north end of the levee, and appearing in various locations along the levee to the southwest along the Des Plaines River as depicted in the attached exhibit. Based on hydraulic modeling results, it appears that the levee may be overtopped during significant storm events leaving structures susceptible to flood damages. Upon reviewing the District’s findings with the Corps, a Federal Interest Determination was completed and the Corps received authorization to conduct a study on this portion of the McCook Levee under Section 205, Flood Control Act of 1948 (Section 205) to investigate measures to address flood risks in the communities of McCook, Lyons, and Summit, Illinois. Section 205 authorizes the Secretary of the Army, in cooperation with non-Federal interests, to plan and construct flood risk management projects costing up to $10,000,000.00.
The Corps has requested that the District agree to assume the role of local sponsor and participate in a Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement (FCSA) for their Section 205 study. The Corps estimates the District’s contribution will not exceed $250,000.00. The District may also be able to contribute in-kind services to the extent that these contributions benefit the Corps in completing its study. If the project is determined feasible, the Corps will look to enter into a cost sharing agreement with the District for construction whereby the costs would be shared as follows: 65% Federal and 35% non-Federal.
Based on the foregoing, it is respectfully requested that the Board of Commissioners grant authority to negotiate a FCSA with the Corps for the feasibility study. Once the parties agree in principle, authority to enter into a FCSA will be sought from the Board of Commissioners.
Requested, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, WSS:JK
Recommended, David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Respectfully Submitted, Kari K. Steele, 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 January 5, 2017
Attachment