Title
Sweetwater Branch/Paynes Prairie Sheetflow Restoration Project (B)
In order to proceed with the Paynes Prairie Sheetflow Restoration project, there are several agreements that must be approved between the City and various other parties. This item includes a request for the City Commission to approve Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) between (1) GRU and the General Government Stormwater Management Utility (SMU) establishing an agreed upon approach to interdepartmental sharing of the City's project costs; and (2) between the City of Gainesville and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) that establishes responsibilities for implementation of the project. Approval is also requested to proceed with the purchase and subsequent donation of property known as the "Edwards Tract" in exchange for easements needed to facilitate the project.
Explanation
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has issued a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Alachua Sink which requires reduction in total nitrogen discharges to Alachua Sink from all sources. Under this TMDL, GRU is required by law to reduce its nitrogen discharges to Alachua Sink from its Main Street Water Reclamation Facility. SMU is required to achieve reduction in nitrogen loading to Alachua Sink resulting from stormwater runoff from the incorporated Gainesville urban area. GRU and SMU have identified the proposed Sweetwater Branch/Paynes Prairie Sheetflow Restoration project as a means for satisfying the TMDL requirements for both GRU and SMU.
The Conceptual Plan for Paynes Prairie Sheetflow Restoration (the Plan) was presented to the City Commission on April 9, 2007, agenda item #061100. A copy of the Plan that was provided to each commissioner at that time is attached here to. The Plan was approved and staff was directed to present Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between GRU and SMU and between the City and FDEP to the City Commission for review and approval....
Click here for full text