TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 21, 2026
COMMITTEE ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Report on Stormwater Partnership Projects, Technical Assistance, and Voluntary Flood-Prone Property Acquisition Submittals
Body
Dear Sir:
From August 2025 through March 6, 2026, the District accepted proposals from municipalities, townships, and other governmental agencies seeking assistance through the District’s Stormwater Partnership Programs for Stormwater Partnership Projects (SPP), Technical Assistance (formerly referred to as Conceptual Projects), and the Voluntary Flood-Prone Property Acquisition (FPPA) Program.
As is standard for stormwater partnership opportunities, the District solicited pre-applications to provide feedback to communities and ensure projects are compatible with the District’s programs. The pre-application consists of a brief set of questions about the applicant’s flooding problem and the proposed project, which allows the District to provide feedback and for the applicant to help strengthen their submittal. Communities that submitted pre-applications received feedback on their application and were invited to submit final applications. Final applications expand on their pre-application responses and present additional technical analyses and supporting documentation.
Application materials and eligibility criteria for these programs were made available on the District’s Stormwater Partnership webpage along with a webinar outlining the program requirements. This information was also shared through regular notifications to chief elected officials and their staff in each jurisdiction and during the quarterly Watershed Planning Council meetings. Additional outreach was made by the District’s Environmental Justice staff. As a result of the solicitation, the District received 19 SPP pre-applications, of which 15 full applications were submitted. The District also received three Technical Assistance pre-applications and associated full applications, as well as one FPPA application.
The Engineering Department reviewed each SPP application and prioritized the projects based on a variety of factors including the number of benefited structures, frequency and extent of flooding, stormwater detention provided, separate or combined sewer service area, and economic factors of the community. Attached to this report are tables summarizing the prioritization of the SPP applications, as well as the three Technical Assistance requests that are recommended for District assistance. Additionally, the Engineering Department reviewed the sole FPPA application and associated property in accordance with the District’s Flood-Prone Acquisition Policy adopted by the Board of Commissioners on August 7, 2014. It was determined that the application does not meet the policy requirements because a Letter of Map Amendment was issued by FEMA for the property removing the structure from the special flood-hazard area and therefore is not eligible for the District’s FPPA program. An exhibit showing the locations of all SPP, Technical Assistance, and FPPA applications is attached.
The District will contact each of the applicants to notify them of the results of our review. Based on the attached prioritization of the projects and available funding for the SPP and Technical Assistance programs, authority to negotiate and enter into Intergovernmental Agreements will be sought from the Board of Commissioners. Applicants whose projects were not identified for partnership with the District will be provided feedback on their unsuccessful application and encouraged to submit proposals for consideration in future partnership opportunities.
Requested, Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering, KMF:JK
Recommended, John P. Murray, Executive Director
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for May 21, 2026
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