TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 18, 2010
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. Richard Lanyon, Executive Director
Title
Ratification of the Executive Director’s October 18, 2010, execution of a 43-day permit to Illinois Department of Natural Resources to use District property to launch and store boats, to collect and analyze aquatic species, and to operate a surgery station on Main Channel Parcel 15.05 on the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal in Romeoville, Illinois. Consideration shall be a nominal fee of $10.00
Body
Dear Sir:
On October 12, 2010, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (“IDNR”) requested to use Main Channel Parcel 15.05 to launch and store boats, to collect and analyze aquatic species, and to operate a surgery station near the old Cargill grain elevator south of the 135th Street Bridge in Romeoville, Illinois. The Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) operates two electric aquatic nuisance species barriers in the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal north of the 135th Street Bridge and is planning to temporarily cease operations of Barrier IIA to perform general maintenance in late 2010 or early 2011. IDNR has agreed to assist the Corps with a support plan of fish suppression actions during the maintenance period.
To determine the level of suppression that will be required downstream of the electric barrier, IDNR proposed to conduct surveys of fish populations commencing October 19, 2010, to determine the abundance of nuisance species and to collect species to determine the present effectiveness of the barriers. In December 2009, the IDNR conducted a rotenone piscicide application from the same location and the requested survey will include an evaluation of the effectiveness of that application.
IDNR plans to collect water samples for environmental DNA analysis and to conduct intensive sampling with conventional suppressions methods in the approximately 5.0 miles of canal between the barriers and the Lockport Lock and Power House. IDNR has requested the assistance of the Coast Guard in planting nets and night collection activities and will be responsible for implementation of safety protocols for the boats and their crews.
Due to the need to conduct the surveys before the barrier maintenance, there was a need that the permit be issued prior to the Board Meeting of October 21, 2010. As an accommodation to the IDNR the Executive Director on October 18th issued and executed the Permit on behalf of the District.
It is recommended that the Board ratify the issuance of the permit for a nominal fee of $10.00 as is customary with State governmental entities that use District property for public purposes.
It is requested that the Board of Commissioners ratify the Executive Director’s October 18, 2010, execution of a 43-day permit to Illinois Department of Natural Resources to use District property to launch and store boats, to collect and analyze aquatic species, and to operate a surgery station on Main Channel Parcel 15.05 on the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal in Romeoville, Illinois. Consideration shall be a nominal fee of $10.00.
Requested, Frederick M. Feldman, General Counsel, FMF:CL:JCC:rg
Recommended, Richard Lanyon, Executive Director
Respectfully Submitted, Terrence J. O'Brien, 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 November 18, 2010
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