TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 21, 2026
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Authority to extend easement agreement dated February 7, 2002, between the District and the United States Army Corps of Engineers six additional months to allow the continued use of District land located east and west of the Main Channel near Romeo Road/135th Street in Will County, Illinois, known as Main Channel Parcels 18.03, 19.01, 19.02 and 19.04, for continued operation and maintenance of aquatic nuisance species barriers. Consideration shall be a nominal fee of $10.00
Body
Dear Sir:
On February 7, 2002, the District’s Board of Commissioners granted an easement to the United States Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) on District real estate located north of the Romeo Road/135th Street Bridge in Will County, Illinois, known as Main Channel Parcel 19.04, in conjunction with the Fish Barrier Project. The easement authorized the Corps to use this parcel of land to construct, operate and maintain the aquatic nuisance species barriers, store and remove equipment and supplies, and construct and remove temporary structures located thereon. Consideration was a nominal fee of $1.00.
Since 2002, the easement has been amended several times to allow additional uses necessary and incident to the construction and operation of the Fish Barrier Project on Parcel 19.04, as well as on three additional District parcels known as Main Channel Parcels 18.03, 19.01, and 19.02. The easement, as extended, expires May 31, 2026.
The Corps continues to express interest in purchasing the site from the District, and has requested that the easement be extended six additional months to allow continued use of these parcels for these purposes, which are vital to the continued operation and maintenance of the Fish Barrier Project. Staff anticipates seeking Board authority to sell the subject parcels to the Corps during this six month period. The District’s technical departments have no objections to this request for an extension. A nominal fee of $10.00 is recommended as is customary with governmental entities that use District property for public purposes.
It is requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it extend the easement agreement dated February 7, 2002, between the District and the United States Army Corps of Engineers six additional months to allow the continued use of District land located east and west of the Main Channel near Romeo Road in Will County, Illinois, known as Main Channel Parcels 18.03, 19.01, 19.02 and 19.04, for continued operation and maintenance of aquatic nuisance species barriers. Consideration shall be a nominal fee of $10.00.
It is also requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize and direct the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Clerk to execute said amendment to easement agreement after it is approved by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel, STM:BJD:CMM
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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