| | | | | | | |  | ITEM 18.
Natural Resources - Consent |
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| | | | | | | | | DATE: | September 3, 2024
| | DEPARTMENT: | Natural Resources
| | REQUESTER: | Roland Ottolini
| | TITLE: | Approve Agreement with U.S. Geological Survey for Water Resources Data Collection |
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| | | | | | | | | I. | MOTION REQUESTED | | | A) Approve joint funding agreement between Lee County and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for the collection of hydrologic data at twelve different locations throughout Lee County for the period of October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025 in the amount of $294,660.00.
B) Authorize the Chairman on behalf of the Board to execute the Joint Funding Agreement. |
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| | | | | | | | | II. | ITEM SUMMARY | | | Approval of this agreement continues cooperative work with U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to provide critical data for water resources modeling and assessment of flood conditions. The agreement includes water resources data collection at twelve sites on various rivers and streams throughout the County and is for a one-year period beginning October 1, 2024. The County has contracted each year with USGS since 1973. The total cost of the agreement is $294,660, with Lee County cost share of $212,541 and USGS Cooperative matching $82,119. Funding for the agreement is planned and budgeted in FY24/25. |
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| | | | | | | | | III. | BACKGROUND AND IMPLICATIONS OF ACTION |
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| | | | | | | | | | A) | Board Action and Other History | | | | Lee County has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey on a yearly basis for joint funding of a water resources investigation program since 1973. The program includes reading of continuous stage recorders and groundwater levels in several Lee County watersheds including Briarcliff Ditch, Gator Slough, Imperial River, Orange River, Spring Creek, North Branch Estero River, South Branch Estero River, Six Mile Cypress Creek, Popash Creek, Telegraph Creek, Ten Mile Canal, and Whiskey Creek. The data obtained is necessary for the proper calibration of computer models developed as part of the Lee County Surface Water Management Master Plan, provide real-time hydrological information to assist in flood/storm response, and documenting pollutant load reductions in fulfillment of our Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements. |
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| | | | | | | | | | B) | Policy Issues | | | | All of the monitoring personnel and equipment are provided by USGS. Historically, Lee County and USGS have cost shared the program. Detailed costs and shares are contained in the attached agreement (Attachment #1). The data collection program would be discontinued if Lee County withdrew its funding. |
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| | | | | | | | | | C) | BoCC Goals | | | | Water Quality and Partnerships |
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| | | | | | | | | | D) | Analysis | | | | Since 1973, USGS has provided Lee County with surface water flow data from various locations. In order to continue this service, USGS requires that Lee County fund a portion of the overall operating cost of the sites. For the new year, the total cost is $294,660, of which USGS Cooperative Matching of $82,119, and Lee County is responsible for the remaining balance of $212,541; with possible funding from Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for maintenance cost for the water flow monitoring equipment located at Telegraph Creek and Popash Creek .
Information provided includes real-time water stage and discharge at various locations throughout the County. The importance of expanding and continuing data collection includes having greater coverage of real-time information on flood conditions during storm events, assisting in the calibration of hydrologic and hydraulic analytic models, and documenting pollutant load reductions in fulfillment of our Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements. Also, having additional data and accurate surface water models aid in the design and review of development by allowing us to determine the impact they may have on surface water flow over a large area.
The equipment at the various sites is owned and maintained by USGS. Continuation of the agreement will ensure the data is collected without the County having to invest in the purchase and maintenance of new equipment.
There are several advantages to continuing the contract with USGS:
- They have the expertise and equipment needed to collect and process “tidal” flow data
- USGS has developed data quality standards and has a national recognition for collecting, analyzing and reporting hydrological data
- USGS pays a portion of the cost
- Keeps Lee County from having to possibly hire staff and purchase new equipment
- The information provided by the USGS water level monitoring stations was invaluable during Hurricane Irma and Invest 92L storm in 2017. This information was used by the County staff to evaluate prevailing conditions and allocate resources.
- Continues the grant with FDEP to fund a portion of the cost.
The contract with USGS is renewed on a yearly basis. Funding will be required each budget year in order to continue the service.
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| | | | | | | | | | A) | Current year dollar amount of item:
| $294,660 | | | B) | Is this item approved in the current budget? | Yes | | | C) | Is this a revenue or expense item? | Expense | | | D) | Is this Discretionary or Mandatory? | Discretionary | | | E) | Will this item impact future budgets?
If yes, please include reasons in III(D) above.
| Yes | | | F) | Fund: Unincorporated MSTU
Program: Water Resources Major Maintenance Projects
Project: Surface Water Management Plan
Account Strings: 40098315500 | | | G) | Fund Type? | Unincorporated MSTU | | | H) | Comments:
Lee County Share - $212,541
USGS Cooperative Match - $82,119 |
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| | | | | | | | | VI. | TIMING/IMPLEMENTATION | | | The current agreement expires September 30, 2024. Approval of the new agreement will extend the expiration date to September 30, 2025. |
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| REVIEWERS: | | Department | Reviewer | Action | Date | | Natural Resources | Ottolini, Roland | Approved | 8/21/2024 - 2:16 PM | | Budget Services | Guttery, Angela | Approved | 8/22/2024 - 10:28 AM | | Budget Services | Winton, Peter | Approved | 8/22/2024 - 11:48 AM | | County Attorney | Swindle, Amanda | Approved | 8/23/2024 - 2:21 PM | | County Manager | Mora, Marc | Approved | 8/27/2024 - 2:45 PM |
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