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PROPOSED INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
Department: Department of Resource Management
Other Part(ies): University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois
Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the "Forest Preserves") to enter into an intergovernmental services agreement
Goods or Services: Interdisciplinary scientific research, data, and outreach services related to the implementation of the Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan and Sustainability & Climate Resiliency Plan.
Agreement Number(s): N/A
Agreement Period: 1/1/2024 - 12/31/2028, with one (1) five-year extension option to be exercised at the discretion of the General Superintendent
Fiscal Impact: Not to exceed $300,000.00 per calendar year and a total of $3,000,000.00 including any optional extensions. FY 2024 $300,000.00; FY 2025 $300,000.00; FY 2026 $300,000.00; FY 2027 $300,000.00; FY 2028 $300,000.00; FY 2029 $300,000.00 (Optional); FY 2030 $300,000.00 (Optional); FY 2031 $300,000.00 (Optional); FY 2032 $300,000.00 (Optional); FY 2033 $300,000.00 (Optional)
Accounts: Professional Services 51033.520840; Grant and Mitigation 51010.521444 and 51010.520840; and all future Professional Services and Grant and Mitigation accounts
District(s): Districtwide
Summary: Since 2014, the Forest Preserves has partnered with the Prairie Research Institute of the University of Illinois for the purpose of developing a Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan, a landmark document that has helped guide the allocation of resources and informed strategies to pursue and meet the ambitious goals set forth in the Forest Preserves’ Next Century Conservation Plan. A number of milestone projects have been achieved pursuant to implementation of the plan, including comprehensive field assessments of natural and archaeological resources within the preserves, the subsequent prioritization of Forest Preserves lands for restoration, development of a seed sourcing policy, and the development of standardized protocols for long-term assessment of conservation success.
The Forest Preserves seeks to continue its collaboration with the Prairie Research Institute in order to further our natural and cultural resource protection goals over the next five (5) years. Tasks include, but are not limited to:
1) Advanced LiDAR-based land cover and cultural resource mapping;
2) Classification and prioritization of streams and waterbodies for future restoration;
3) Advanced population surveys and analysis of high-priority species restoration targets;
4) Targeted ecological site assessments based on Illinois Natural Areas Inventory (INAI) criteria, which may further inform the selection and potential designation of additional Illinois Nature Preserves sites;
5) Ongoing archaeological field assessments to further identify and preserve cultural resource sites;
6) Engagement of staff and constituents through the development of interpretive materials, demonstrations, and presentations sharing the value of Cook County’s cultural resources; and
7) Technical expertise and assistance supporting sustainability initiatives, including a Climate Resiliency and Adaptation Progress Report.
The Prairie Research Institute comprises five (5) state scientific surveys: the Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois State Archaeological Survey, Illinois State Geological Survey, Illinois State Water Survey, and Illinois Sustainable Technology Center. This agreement enables the Forest Preserves to consult with and engage the technical expertise of each of these scientific institutions, based on annual tasks assigned by the Forest Preserves.
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