Subject:
Title
Joint Funding Agreement with the United States Geological Survey for the Water Discipline Data Collection Program.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the Joint Funding Agreement (JFA) with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) for the period of May 1, 2017 to April 30, 2018.
Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest the JFA.
The County is providing $195,574 from the Public Works Environmental Management Division operating budget, and the USGS will contribute $57,426 as well as manage and perform the work, for a total cost of $253,000.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Practice Superior Environmental Stewardship
3.3 Protect and improve the quality of our water, air, and other natural resources
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
Summary:
The purpose of this JFA is to continue to provide funding in the joint effort with the USGS to collect scientific data for the Water Discipline Data Collection Program. This data is used to develop watershed management plans, design surface water management projects, and comply with the County’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System stormwater permit. This agreement covers the period from May 1, 2017 to April 30, 2018.
Background Information:
The USGS has constructed and installed data gathering stations at various locations throughout the County. The stations collect continuous monitoring data including flood stage, discharge, and rainfall. This information, combined with water quality data allows the County to report pollutant loading information to meet existing and emerging federal and state water quality requirements; supports the planning and design of systems to address flooding; and is used in the development of watershed models which aids in the understanding of our surface waters and the overall function of the stormwater system. The Water Discipline Data Collection Program has been an ongoing program since 1999.
Fiscal Impact:
The total cost of this countywide effort is $253,000 for the one year period of May 1, 2017 to April 30, 2018. The County will contribute $195,574, and the USGS will contribute $57,426. The USGS is managing and performing the work. The USGS will discount the total cost by $57,426 through contributions from their Cooperative Water Program, and Bureau and Science Support. The County’s portion of funding is currently budgeted in the Public Works Environmental Management Division’s operating budget through the duration of the JFA.
The total project cost is $2,400 higher than the prior year with the County contribution increased by $2,400, and the USGS contribution unchanged.
Staff Member Responsible:
Rahim Harji, P.E., Director of Public Works
Partners:
USGS
Attachments:
Agreement
USGS Cover Letter