TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 5, 2012
COMMITTEE ON ENGINEERING
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authority to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for the purpose of completing a preliminary design to modify the North Branch Dam to allow for fish and canoe passage and enhanced dissolved oxygen levels.
Body
Dear Sir:
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) at the request of the Friends of the Chicago River has proposed a modification of the North Branch Dam to allow fish and other aquatic species to pass from the North Branch of the Chicago River and the North Shore Channel into the Upper North Branch. The Chicago Park District is planning a boat house in West River Park adjacent to the North Branch Dam, and a dam modification could allow canoes and kayaks to pass this point. Furthermore, the District is seeking enhanced dissolved oxygen levels, and a dam modification may also contribute to this goal.
The District owns the North Branch Dam, but the IDNR has proposed to reimburse the District for design and construction of the dam modification. An Intergovernmental Agreement is required for preliminary design, and subsequent agreements are anticipated for final design and construction. The Engineering Department will propose a design consultant, subject to the approval of the Executive Director and the IDNR.
Based on the foregoing, the Engineering Department recommends that the District be authorized to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the IDNR for preliminary design of a modification of the North Branch Dam and that the Committee on Finance, the Executive Director and the Clerk be authorized to execute said Intergovernmental Agreement on behalf of the District, upon approval of the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Kenneth A. Kits, Director of Engineering, WSS:KMF
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 April 5, 2012