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PROPOSED INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
Department: Department of Planning and Development
Other Part(ies): Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (“MWRD”), Chicago, Illinois
Request: Authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with MWRD for Land Acquisition, Concept Planning and Preliminary Engineering for a Multi-Benefit Project in Southeast Cook County
Goods or Services: Collaboration and cost sharing on the land acquisition, concept planning and preliminary engineering for a joint project to provide ecological restoration and nature-compatible outdoor recreation and flood control improvements along Deer Creek and Third Creek (the “Project”)
Agreement Number(s): N/A
Agreement Period: Two (2) years from the Effective Date of the Agreement (“Initial Term”) with one (1) one-year optional extension upon approval of the Parties’ respective Boards of Commissioners
Fiscal Impact: Costs for this preliminary stage of the Project would be shared by the Parties but would be submitted separately to the Parties’ respective boards for approval. The Forest Preserves would be responsible for land acquisition costs with support from MWRD if needed. Authority for land acquisition costs for each acquisition parcel would be submitted separately to the Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners and, if necessary, to MWRD’s Board of Commissioners. MWRD would be responsible for all consultant costs associated with concept planning and preliminary engineering for the Project.
Accounts: N/A
District(s): 5, 6
Summary: Authorization is requested to document an understanding and commitment between the Parties to collaborate and share costs on the preliminary stages of a large-scale multi-benefit project that would advance the mission and goals of both agencies. The Forest Preserves is in the process of acquiring land along Deer Creek and Third Creek, located between the villages of Glenwood and Ford Heights, as part of its Southeast Cook County Land Acquisition Plan and other plans to make Cook County more resilient to the effects of climate change. MWRD has also identified this area as a prime location to create stormwater storage to provide flood relief along Deer Creek, Thorn Creek and the Little Calumet River. There is an opportunity to collaborate on a joint project to accomplish the goals of both agencies more expeditiously, economically and comprehensively and leverage state and federal funding through partnership.
The Parties intend to collaborate at this preliminary stage to acquire land and design nature-based outdoor recreation opportunities and achieve ecological restoration of 350-750 acres of newly-acquired land on an accelerated schedule. The Project would also direct stormwater from Deer Creek and Third Creek into a series of hydraulically connected stormwater storage areas to provide a minimum of 1,650 acre-feet of volume on the land. The flood control improvements will benefit the villages of Ford Heights, Glenwood, Thornton, South Holland, Lansing and Calumet City.
An Intergovernmental Agreement is needed at this stage to coordinate the preliminary stages of the Project, including land acquisition, concept planning and preliminary engineering, which is necessary for the Parties to plan subsequent agreements addressing final design, construction, operation and maintenance to be presented to their respective Boards of Commissioners. Final Intergovernmental Agreement is subject to legal review and approval.
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