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PROPOSED INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
Department: Department of Resource Management
Other Part(ies): United States Geological Survey, Urbana, Illinois
Request: Authority for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the United States Geological Survey (“USGS”)
Goods or Services: Installation of two (2) precipitation gauges on Forest Preserve properties near the intersections of Cermak Road and Mannheim Road in the Village of Westchester, and Riverview Avenue and South Des Plaines River Road in the City of Des Plaines.
Agreement Number(s): N/A
Agreement Period: Date of Execution - 12/31/2030
Fiscal Impact: None
Accounts: N/A
District(s): 9, 16
Summary: The USGS is proposing to install two (2) precipitation gauges in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“USACE”) Lake Michigan Diversion Accounting (“LMDA”) program. Data from the gauges are used along with other hydro-meteorological information to simulate stormwater runoff from the Lake Michigan and Des Plaines River watersheds. The precipitation gauge network is a primary component of the LMDA program to ensure that the USACE is in compliance with a Supreme Court decree regarding diversion of water from Lake Michigan.
The precipitation gauges would be installed on a 3'x5' concrete pad, located at the aforementioned properties. USGS technicians will visit the sites on a monthly basis in order to download data, service the instrumentation, and maintain the area surrounding the pads. The USGS will be responsible for all installation and maintenance costs.
Water-resources data collected by the gauges will be available online to Forest Preserves staff and the public through the public National Water Information System. The data collected can potentially provide the Forest Preserves information for assessing stormwater levels within our region. Under the proposed agreement, the Forest Preserves is waiving its standard fees as well as standard agreement terms such as insurance and indemnification.
In the event of damage to Forest Preserves real property, the Federal Tort Claims Act may apply. Final agreement is subject to legal review and approval.
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