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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT IDNR GRANT
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) applied for a Fiscal Year 2024 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (“IDNR”) requesting $1,150,000 in federal funds to support the acquisition of three (3) properties totaling 25 acres at 338, 339 and 340 Old Sutton Road in Barrington Hills in northwest Cook County, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves submitted its application in September 2023 along with a waiver of retroactivity, as the parcels were to be acquired before the anticipated 2025 grant announcement; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves acquired the properties in 2024, as authorized by the Board of Commissioners on January 23, 2024, via Board Item Nos. 23-0596, 23-0598, and 23-0600 for a total approved not-to-exceed amount of $2,293,500; and
WHEREAS, the addition of these properties buffer and expand the Spring Creek Forest Preserve, a forest preserve system with more than 45 miles of winding unpaved trails that are visited and enjoyed by thousands of people each year and that provide important habitat for countless pollinators, birds, and other wildlife; and
WHEREAS IDNR has notified the Forest Preserves its Land and Water Conservation Fund proposal has been approved and the Forest Preserves is eligible to receive reimbursement of up to $1,150,000 in acquisition costs; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves requests authorization to enter into a grant agreement with IDNR to accept the Land and Water Conservation Fund award and associated reimbursement; and
WHEREAS, IDNR is expected to provide the Forest Preserves with the necessary grant agreement and require its expedited execution within the month of March 2026; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves’ will use its best judgment to negotiate the terms and conditions of the grant agreement, subject to the General Superintendent’s approval of the final agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the President to execute the above-referenced grant agreement with IDNR to accept reimbursement of the above-referenced funds through the Land and Water Conservation Fund for the acquisitions totaling 25 acres.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Forest Preserves will report back to the Board of Commissioners by June 2026 regarding the terms and conditions of any such grant agreement if so executed.
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