TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF FEBRUARY 21, 2013
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGMENT
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authorization to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement with the Lake County Forest Preserve District to expand the floodwater storage capacity of Buffalo Creek Reservoir (As Revised)
Body
Dear Sir:
Last fall, the District was informed by the Lake County Forest Preserve District (LCFPD) that it desires to construct public access improvements at the Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve, which includes an existing floodwater storage reservoir known as Buffalo Creek Reservoir (BCR). The improvements include relocating trails and bridges above BCR's inundation level to improve recreational opportunities. LCFPD is required, based on previous intergovernmental agreements, to acquire approval from the District for these improvements. The Engineering and Maintenance & Operations Departments have no technical objects to LCFPD's proposed work. The Engineering Department discussed with LCFPD the possibility of expanding BCR to provide additional floodwater storage. LCFPD staff was open to the idea of further exploring how expanding BCR could be accomplished. On December 6, 2012, the Board of Commissioners authorized a change order to Contract 11-187-5C to Hey and Associates, Inc. (Hey) to develop conceptual site plans for, and determine the feasibility of, expanding BCR. The Engineering Department and LCFPD staff worked together to develop conceptual site plans to facilitate discussion. On February 4, 2013, the LCFPD Planning and Restoration Committee approved the attached conceptual site plan and authorized LCFPD staff to commence negotiations with the District. Also attached for your reference is a drawing showing the existing configuration of BCR.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has indicated expansion of BCR could provide flood reduction benefits for up to 570 structures along Buffalo Creek and the Des Plaines River in the communities of Buffalo Grove, Wheeling, Mount Prospect, Prospect Heights, and Des Plaines in addition to reducing transportation damages. The conceptual level site plans indicate BCR could be expanded by 171 acre-feet at an estimated construction cost of $15 million. The flood reduction benefits of this project expansion are estimated to be $17.5 million.
Based on the foregoing, the Engineering Department recommends that the District be authorized to negotiate an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with LCFPD for expansion of BCR. Once the parties agree in principle, authority to enter into an IGA will be sought from the Board of Commissioners.
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 February 21, 2013
Attachment