Title
Joint resolution authorizing an agreement with the Des Plaines River Watershed Workgroup (DRWW).
Staff Summary
· The County is participating in the formation of a new workgroup called the DRWW.
· The DRWW is a voluntary, dues paying organization with a mission to bring together a diverse coalition of stakeholders to work together to improve water quality in the Des Plaines River and its tributaries in a cost effective manner to meet Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) requirements.
· Membership of the DRWW consists of communities, publically owned treatment works (POTWs), and other interested parties (Parties) including agency members represented by National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit holders, associate members which are non permit holding organizations, and individual members.
· The DRWW will monitor water quality in the river and tributaries, prioritize and recommend water quality improvement projects, and secure grant funding to offset costs.
· Monitoring data will allow for a greater understanding of the water quality impairments and assist in formulating strategies for making improvements to water quality in the Des Plaines River.
· The DRWW will be governed by bylaws, an elected executive board, and a voting, dues paying membership.
· The parties have determined, pursuant to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, it would be beneficial to enter into a cooperative agreement (Agreement) that forms and governs the structure of the DRWW.
· The DRWW will utilize the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission as its administrative agent for entering into contracts, making payments, as directed by the Executive Board, receiving dues or grants or other revenue, and for providing the financial accounting and reports required by the Agreement.
· This resolution authorizes and directs the Chair of the County Board and the Clerk of the County to execute the DRWW Agreement.
Body
WHEREAS, the County of Lake (County) owns and operates three water reclamation facilities and has responsibility for over 100 miles of storm sewers tributary to the Des Plaines River watershed; and
WHEREAS, the Des Plaines River is on the state's list of impaired waterways; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has recommended that the County, North Shore Water Reclamation District, and other units of local government form a group (Parties) to improve the water quality of the Des Plaines River; and
WHEREAS, the Parties have determined, pursuant to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, it would be beneficial to enter into a cooperative agreement (Agreement) by forming the Des Plaines River Watershed Workgroup (DRWW); and
WHEREAS, the DRWW would provide for the collection of data that would assist in identifying issues that impact water quality within the watershed; and
WHEREAS, the Agreement establishes terms and conditions to guide the DRWW, such as bylaws, funding, cost sharing and effective date and renewal; and
WHEREAS, the DRWW shall utilize the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission as its administrative agent for entering into contracts, make payments, as directed by the Executive Board, receiving dues or other grants or revenue, and for providing the financial accounting and reports required by this Agreement.
WHEREAS, execution of this Agreement must be authorized by Resolution of the County Board.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that the Chair of the County Board and the Clerk of said County are hereby authorized and directed to execute the attached Des Plaines River Watershed Workgroup Agreement, in the form substantially contained therein.
DATED at Waukegan, Lake County, Illinois, on this 9th day of June, A.D., 2015.