Iowa Partners for Conservation Grant Copyrighted
February 5, 2018
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 14.
ITEM TITLE: lowa Partners for Conservation Grant
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending authorization to apply for a
lowa Partners for Conservation Grant to secure funding to
perform extensive modeling of the Catfish Creek
Watershed, create a farmer-led watershed effort, establish
a cover crop program within Dubuque County, and establish
the City Manager as an authorized representative of the City
regarding the grant.
RESOLUTION Approving an application and establishing
the City Manager as an authorized representative regarding
the agreement between the NRCS and the City of
Dubuque, lowa for an lowa Partners for Conservation Grant
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Adopt
Resolution(s)
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
lowa Partners for Conservation Grant-NNM Memo City Manager Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
Resolution Resolutions
GrantApplication Supporting Documentation
THE CTTY OF Dubuque
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ui���eNe�ary
DUB E 'il��i;'
Masterpiece on the Mississippi Z°°' Z°'Z
2013 2017
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: lowa Partners for Conservation Grant
DATE: February 1 , 2018
City Engineer Gus Psihoyos recommends City Council authorization to apply for a
$326,712 lowa Partners for Conservation Grant to secure funding to perform extensive
modeling of the Catfish Creek Watershed, create a farmer led watershed effort,
establish a cover crop program within Dubuque County, and establish the City Manager
as an authorized representative of the City regarding the grant.
The total project budget is $1,308,712.00. This proposal requests $326,712.00 from the
National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The requested NRCS funds will be
used to support staff, consulting, modeling, travel, and supplies to enhance the
watershed management plan. It will also be used to hire a watershed coordinator, and
a consultant to establish a county-wide soil health policy. The Dubuque Soil and Water
Conservation District is pledging $156,000 ($31 ,200 annually) in match to support
administration, outreach, on-farm assessments, modeling, reporting, marketing, and
meetings. The City of Dubuque is pledging $156,000 ($31 ,200 annually) to assist with
these tasks as well. $20,000 ($4,000 annually) is pledged for educational outreach
events and training events from the applicant. These are existing expenses associated
with City efforts to comply with the City's MS4 NPDES permit. Additionally, the Catfish
Creek Watershed Management Authority is pledging $650,000 towards the
implementation of conservation practices in the watershed. These are also existing
dollars that are being spent in the watershed through the SRF Sponsorship program.
The total match from all sources is $982,000.00. The National Mississippi River
Museum and Aquarium is also offering in-kind support through the use of educational
outreach, and the use of their facility during meetings and outreach events. Measurable
outcomes will be the development of an online publicly accessible database detailing
pollutant load contributions and deductions, structural and non-structural conservation
project mapping and implementation, and a locally funded cover crop program.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
1j t.11��'�u'L t�t� ,
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
2
THE CITY OF Dubuque
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DU B E �'A�I'i�Gih
,��I�� ,�i�
I
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2°°'�Z°`Z
2013•2017
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer -
�,�� .
DATE: January 31, 2018
SUBJECT: lowa Partners for Conservation Grant
INTRODUCTION
This memo is to seek authorization to apply for the lowa Partners for Conservation
Grant for developing community level conservation leadership.
BACKGROUND
In 2007, the Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) initiated the Catfish
Creek Watershed project, which began as a small 9,000-acre project focused on
utilizing urban and agricultural conservation practices to reduce sediment runoff to a
treasured local cold-water trout stream. After experiencing success with both
conservation project implementation and a new county-wide storm-water policy; the
District, County, and City continued working with National Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) staff and other stakeholders to expand the project to cover the entire
46,000-acre HUC-10 watershed. In 2012, the need to further target and coordinate work
in the watershed and the opportunity to utilize lowa's innovative Watershed
Management Authority structure, project leaders approached and partnered with four
neighboring cities to develop and implement a comprehensive watershed plan.
In 2012, the City of Dubuque entered into a 28e agreement with Dubuque County, The
Dubuque SWCD, and the cities of Asbury, Peosta, and Centralia for the purposes of
establishing the Catfish Creek Watershed Management Authority (CCWMA). The
CCWMA's main mission is to assess flooding risks and water quality, and to allocate
money for the purposes of water quality improvement and flood reduction.
DISCUSSION
The City of Dubuque (applicant) seeks to build on the solid foundation of watershed
work in the agricultural areas of the Catfish Creek Watershed by (1) hiring a watershed
coordinator to implement conservation projects and develop a farmer leadership team
for the watershed, (2) utilize the Agricultural Conservation Program Framework (ACPF)
GIS tool and the Prioritized Target and Mea$ure Applicatia�7 (PTMApp) rnodelir�g
program to target conservation practice implementation and (3) establish a county-wide
soil health policy focused on a cover crop / buffer initiative that is locally funded. The
total dollar amount requested for this proposal is $326,712.00. The start date is June
30, 2018 and will end on September 30, 2022.
The total project budget is $1,308,712.00. This proposal requests $326,712.00 from the
NRCS. The requested NRCS funds will be used to support staff, consulting, modeling,
travel, and supplies to enhance the watershed management plan. It will also be used to
hire a watershed coordinator, and a consultant to establish a county-wide soil health
policy. The Dubuque SWCD is pledging $156,000 ($31,200 annually) in match to
support administration, outreach, on-farm assessments, modeling, reporting, marketing,
and meetings. The City of Dubuque is pledging $156,000 ($31,200 annually) to assist
with these tasks as well. $20,000 ($4,000 annually) is pledged for educational outreach
events and training events from the applicant. These are existing expenses associated
with City efforts to comply with the City's MS4 NPDES permit. Additionally, the CCWMA
is pledging $650,000 towards the implementation of conservation practices in the
watershed. These are also existing dollars that are being spent in the watershed
through the SRF Sponsorship program. The total match from all sources is
$982,000.00. The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium is also offering in-
kind support through the use of educational outreach, and the use of their facility during
meetings and outreach events. Measurable outcomes will be the development of an on-
line publicly accessible database detailing pollutant load contributions and deductions,
structural and non-structural conservation project mapping and implementation, and a
locally funded cover crop program.
The cost breakdown is as follows:
USDA-NRCS CCWMA Applicant Dubuque
Cit SWCD
Personnel $157,800 $0 $156,000 $156,000
Frin e Benefits $21,112 $0 $0 $0
Travel $25,000 $0 $0 $0
Equipment $1,800 $0 $0 $0
Supplies $5,000 $0 $0 $0
Contractual $96,000 $0 $0 $0
Construction $0 $650,000 $0 $0
Other $20,000 $0 $0 $0
EducationalOutreach $0 $0 $20,000 $0
Totals $326,712 $650,000 $176,000 $156,000
The applications are due on January 31, 2018. If successful, the timeline of the grant
wnuld �e from Jun� �0, 201� tc� Se�tPmk��r 30, 20�2
BUDGETIMPACT
Cost matches / in-kind contributions for this grant are all from existing expenses related
to the NPDES / MS4 program and consist of 10 hours per week of watershed activities
within Catfish Creek and dollars that are allocated for the Annual Watershed
Symposium. The cost breakdown per fiscal year is as follows:
FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23
62055756 (NPDES - $17,600 $17,600 $17,600 $17,600 $17,600
Post Construction
62055751 (NPDES $17,600 $17,600 $17,600 $17,600 $17,600
— Erosion Control)
Total Amount $35,200 $35,200 $35,200 $35,200 $35,200
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I respectfully request adoption of the attached Resolution approving an application for
an lowa Partners for Conservation Grant to secure funding to perform extensive
modeling of the watershed, create a farmer led watershed effort, establish a cover crop
program within Dubuque County, and establishing the City Manager as an authorized
representative of the City regarding the grant.
Attachment
Prepared by Dean Mattoon
cc: Deron Muehring, Civil Engineer II
RESOLUTION NO. 24-18
APPROVING AN APPLICATION AND ESTABLISHING THE CITY MANAGER AS AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE REGARDING THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
NRCS AND THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA FOR A IOWA PARTNERS FOR
CONSERVATION GRANT
Whereas, a farmer led approach within the agricultural areas of Catfish Creek is
needed; and
Whereas, the NRCS has announced a funding opportunity for conservation practices;
and
Whereas, the City is currently working with Catfish Creek to implement conservation
practices; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA, THAT:
Section 1. The City Manager is authorized to sign and submit an application to the
NRCS for an Iowa Partners for Conservation grant.
Section 2. The City Manager is hereby authorized to act as an authorized
representative on the NRCS grant agreement and may execute any documents required
by the agreement as the NRCS may reasonably request.
Passed, approved and adopted this 5th day of February, 2018
Attest:
Keum° S. Firnstahl,MC; City Clerk
Lo
di- Roy D. Buol, Mayor
FY 2018 IPC Request for Proposal Template
Submitting Organization:City of Dubuque
Contact Name: Dean Manoon Contact Phone: (563)543-8460
ContactEmail: dmattoon@cityofdubuque.org
PROJECT TITLE: Catfish Creek Increasing Producer Leadership and Targeting Conservation Practices
Amount Requested: $ 326,712.00 Project Duration: 06/30/2018 - 09/30/2022
DUNS Number: 0931053020000 �ampte:6isoiaois-6isoiaoai
L Pi'ojecL Summax'y: (Firstpage ofgrant application. 1/2 page maximum.)A good summary will provide a frame
of reference for the reviewer as they begin the review process. It should be clear, concise, and interesting. The
summary should be one to three paragraphs long. The summary should include one or two sentences about each of the
following: the applicant organization,the need motivating the request as defined in Section I.B. the project start and end
dates,the measurable outcomes and mythology, other organizations that will be involved, and the project total cost,
funds already obtained and the amount requested in this proposal.
In 2007,the Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation District(SWCD)initiated the Catfish Creek Watershed
project,which began as a sma119,000-acre project focused on utilizing urban and agricultural conservation
practices to reduce sediment runoff to a treasured local cold water trout stream. After experiencing success
with both conservation project implementation and a new county-wide storxn-water policy;the District,
County, and City continued working with NRCS staff and other stakeholders to expand the project to cover
the entire 46,000 acre HLJG 10 watershed. In 2012,the need to further target and coordinate wark in the
watershed and the opportunity to utilize Iowa's innovative Watershed Management Authority strucbxre,
project leaders approached and partnered with four neighboring cities to develop and implement a
comprehensive watershed plan.
The City of Dubuque(applicant) seeks to build on the solid foundation of watershed wark in the
agriculbxral areas of the CatFish Creek Watershed by(1)hiring a watershed coordinator to implement
conservation projects and develop a farxner leadership team far the watershed, (2)utilize the Agriculbxral
Conservation Program Framewark(ACPF) GIS tool and the Prioritized Target and Measure Application
(PTMApp)modeling program to target conservation practice implementation and(3) establish a
county-wide soil health policy focused on a cover crop/buffer initiative that is locally funded. The total
dollar amount requested far this proposal is $326,712.00. The start date is June 30, 2018, and will end on
September 30, 2022. $982,000.00 will be allocated in matching funds for project administration and
conservation cost-share project implementation. Partners far this proposal include the Dubuque S WCD,
NRCS,Dubuque County, and the CatFish Creek Watershed Authority Board(CCWMA). Measurable
outcomes will be the development of an on-line publicly accessible database detailing pollutant load
contributions and deductions, structural and non-structural conservation project mapping and
implementation, and a locally funded cover crop program.
1 � Page
20181PC Requestfor Proposal Template
IL Introduction: (One (1)page narrative marimum.) This section should introduce your organization to the
reviewer and lend credibility to your organization's ability to successfully manage a federal agreement. The
response should be succinct, and offer a good balance between quantitative and qualitative information.
The City's mission is to deliver excellent municipal services that support urban living and a sustainable city
plan far the community's future and facilitate access to critical human services,which result in financially
sound city government and citizens getting services and value far their tax dollar. Dubuque is a full-service
municipality responsible for inspection of building construction, civil engineering, economic development,
storxn-water management,health services and programming, housing and community development,
neighborhood outreach and community engagement,zoning, and sustainability and resiliency planning and
implementation.
The City of Dubuque is experienced with implementing large, complex programs and projects. The City's $188
million five-year capital improvement plan(CIP) continues to allocate funding far the maintenance and
refurbishxnent of City facilities. The City of Dubuque has the relevant project management, quality assurance,
financial and procurement, and internal control capacity to quickly launch and implement a major project.
Many City Departments have significant experience in monitoring, compliance, and administration of a wide
variety of multi-million dollar grant-funded programs and community collaborative initiatives. The City's
Finance Department and Budget Director will provide additional assistance such as financial management and
separation of monitoring functions. The City of Dubuque provides a framewark of procedures and policies that
govern recruiting,hiring,job assignments, promotions,transfers, training and educational programs,benefits,
pay, and all of the terxns, conditions, and privileges of employment.
Dubuque has fostered partnerships and collaborated with multiple local, state, and federal organizations and
agencies on the 12-phase Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project. Through that process,the City has
also been fortunate to secure local, state, and federal financial assistance for this $200 million infrastructure
project. Having secured the necessary federal and state environxnental approvals,perxnits, and funding,
Dubuque has pushed forward with planning, execution, and completion of three phases and the initiation of
two more.
The City of Dubuque and the CatFish Creek Watershed Authority Board(CCWMA)have developed a
successful working relationship over the past few years. The CCWMA is made up of appointed or elected
officials,from each political jurisdiction that lies within the watershed. The CCWMA received a $1.4 million
SRF Sponsorship program grant in partnership with the City's Bee Branch restoration project,for
administration and implementation of conservation projects within the watershed. A 28e agreement was
created between the City of Dubuque and the CCWMA detailing the responsibilities between each. The
CCWNIA, City of Dubuque Finance and Engineering Departments,the Dubuque S WCD, and the NRCS, have
a proven track record, demonstrating that through successful partnerships and working together collectively,
water quality improvements are achievable.
2 � Page
2018 IPC Requestfor Proposal Template
IIL Needs Assessment (One (1)-page marimum.) Your Needs Assessment should demonstrate the tie-in to the
organizational mission and goals, describe the issue, and the history of, and need for,the proposed innovation,
provide statistical and authoritarian evidence that supports the need identified in the proposal, supports a high
probability for success, and makes a compelling case for the project funding based demonstrated client needs.
This project directly ties into the mission and goals of the CatFish Creek Watershed Management Authority
which is to reduce the risks of flooding and its effects, improve water quality and promote a healthier
existence for all living things that call the CatFish Creek Watershed home. This means crossing
jurisdictional boundaries and warking together to solve problems within the entire watershed.
There is a demonstrated need for greater farmer leadership and engagement in order to successfully
implement the Catfish Creek Watershed Project plan. Agricultural land is a significant contributor of
nutrients and sediment in CatFish Creek. According to modeling, agricultural areas contribute between 58%
and 64%of the nutrient load and 57%of the sediment load in the Catfish Creek watershed. There are
currently 21,590.6 acres of agricultural land used for row crop production and livestock in the Catfish
Creek watershed. 2,929 acres in the watershed have been identified as critical areas. ACPF, PTMApp, and
the county cover-crop initiative will be used to significantly reduce nutrient and sediment runoff from these
agricultural areas in a prioritized manner that utilizes and tracks quantified load reductions.
Having completed the Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan in 2015, it created a starting point for
implementing conservation projects;however, the need for advanced conservation Best Management
Practices (BMP)ranking, determining the highest pollutant load reductions, and maximizing cost share
dollars for each project has yet to be analyzed. Since the completion of the management plan, several
advanced technical mapping/modeling programs have been created and used successfully in watersheds
throughout the Midwest The ACPF approach is grounded in "precision conservation';the idea of not only
selecting the right conservation practice,but also putting it where it will be most effective. The framewark
is essentially a pyramid,with cover cropping and other soil management practices that every farmer should
be using at its base. ACPF identifies the prime spots for conservation practices at the edge of fields
(nutrient removal)and lastly,the prospects for preventing both surface and subsurface losses of nutrients
and sediments along stream and river corridors. PTMApp will then be used in conjunction with ACPF to
further determine cost-analysis of BMPs and to build an on-line database for this project.
The need far CCWMA administration and developing a farxner led collaboration to more successfully and
effectively reach agricultural producers in the watershed for long term success is essential. The support and
need for a county-wide, local led cover crop/buffer initiative exists and has been discussed with elected
officials. Dubuque County,the City of Dubuque and the Dubuque S WCD intend to wark together to create
a long-term sustainable policy that not only expands the use of cover crops and no-till systems,but also
ensures long-term perxnanent adoption of these practices.
There is a high probability of success for all three components of the proposed project. The farxner
leadership model is being successfully used to increase and enhance agricultural producer participation and
leadership in Urban/Agricultural projects in Madison, Green Bay, and Oconomowoc Wisconsin. The Iowa
Soybean Association has been successfully utilizing the ACPF to wark with farmers to tailor conservation
practice implementation so that it efficiently and effectively addresses nutrient runoff within local
watersheds. This project will not reinvent the wheel, it will build on these successful farxner leadership
models and technology focused efforts.
3 � Page
2018 IPC Requestfor Proposal Template
IV. Program Objectives: (One(1J-page maximum.J This section of the proposal should demonstrate project
outcomes, not project activities. Each objective must be specific, measurable,achievable, realistic,and contain a
timeline for completion. An example objective would be:At the end of the 3-day workshop, 70�of participants
will demonstrate at least a 30�increase or better in pre/post-test exams.
This project has multiple objectives and outcomes that coincide together. Understanding the complexity of
an urban/agricultural watershed can be challenging;however, approaching the water quality impairxnents
in CatFish Creek with a modeled targeted conservation approach will lead to utilizing the most
cost-effective BMPs. Ultimately,this will lead to having additional technical support with agricultural
producers,while also building a farmer-led collaborative approach demonstrating both structural and
non-strucbxral projects that will lead to water quality improvements.
The first objective will be to enhance our existing watershed management plan by using both ACPF and
PTMApp to model a 46,000 HLJC-10 watershed, and utilizing the use of a targeted conservation approach
that includes both BMP nutrient reductions, and cost estimates associated with those projects. In doing so,
this will create an online database that will be publicly accessible,provide project details, and track
watershed improvements by December, 2019. The CCWMA already has a completed watershed
management plan, which is ready to begin implementation,thus creating this database should not take a
considerable amount of time.
Secondly, during the duration of this grant, both the City and the CCWMA believe that farxner engagement
is critical for the success of this project. To do so,hiring a watershed coordinator is an essential component
to the success of the implementation of conservation in Catfish Creek. Hosting agricultural field days and
spending time with farmers to better understand their values and goals and how those relate to both our
watershed management plan and modeling will be a direct outcome. An estimated 100 landowner visits
will take place each year,totaling a minimum of 500 landowner assessments over a five year period.
Additionally, a minimum of 8 educational workshops will be offered to landowners, as well as 6
demonstration days that will be coordinated with CCWMA meetings ensuring successful collaboration that
will coincide to a farmer-led approach.
Thirdly,using both the watershed management plan and the modeling work, the City and its partners will
collaborate to create a county-wide policy that focuses on the soil health, specifically implementing the use
of cover crops and no-till/ strip-till farxning for perxnanent long terxn nutrient and sediment reduction. Once
this policy is developed, the outcome will be having elected officials adopt a county-wide soil health
policy, in which local dollars are used for implementing conservation practices. The time-line for this
outcome would take place in year two,with the possibility of extending into year three(December 2020).
4 � Page
2018 IPC Requestfor Proposal Template
V. Evaluation: (One half(1/2)-page maximum.) This section should clarify your objectives, define the ease
with which they can be measured, and clearly state the criteria for how success will be measured using quantifiable
methods. Your evaluation should determine whether the delivered program was consistent with the initial plan and
identify which program activities individually contributed to the effectiveness of the program.
Each outcome listed in the program objectives has a high rate of success. Project partners have long been
identified in the CatFish Creek Watershed have a ten year history of working together towards successful
collaboration. Quantifiable conservation data (nutrient and sediment loading), cost evaluation, and both
BMP and water quality monitoring will be collected using an on-line interface that is publicly available
through the use of both ACPF and PTMApp. Farxner engagement and communications will be measured
and recorded throughout this process by the use of a detailed database, showing how many landowner
visits have been completed(targeted at a minimum of 500 land owner assessments). $650,000 will be used
in cost-share payments for both agricultural and urban conservation practices that are installed. At a
minimum, 5,500 acres will be planted into cover crops, 8 sediment/grad stabilization structures will be
built, 5,000 linear feet of streambank will be repaired, 40 acres of soil quality restoration will be
implemented bxrf grass lawns (existing and new yards), and 4 bio-retention cells will be built Sediment
loading will be reduced by 30%in the watershed. This workload will be a collaborative effort between the
City of Dubuque,the CCWIVIA,the Dubuque S WCD,NRCS staff, and the hired watershed coordinator.
The support for a locally led soil health/cover crop policy in the County exists; and hiring a consultant to
compile the necessary research and draft a perxnanent policy that would be implemented in Dubuque
County is achievable. Using this data and other State resources available, all partners listed in this proposal
will wark together to create a successful program that focuses on soil health,watershed planning, and
project implementation,which would serve as a State model demonstrating successful partnerships
throughout a County to make considerable improvements in water quality and flood reductions.
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2018 IPC Requestfor Proposal Template
VL Budget Information: (One (1)-page marimum narrative.)Provide a detailed narrative in support of the
budget for the project,broken down by each project year. Discuss how the budget specifically supports the proposed
activities. Miscellaneous e�penses and equipment needs should be itemized. May be in the form of a chart,table, etc.
This proposal requests $326,712.00 from the NRCS. The total project budget, including all financial
matches is $1,308,712.00. The requested NRCS funds will be used to support staff, consulting, modeling,
travel, and supplies to enhance the watershed management plan. It will also be used to hire a watershed
coordinator, and a consultant to establish a county-wide soil health policy. Matching funds will be used for
administration costs related CCWMA management. Additionally, cost-share dollars will be made available
to both urban and agriculbxral landowners that are interested in implementing projects on their property
based on the watershed management plan and the modeling results. The bulleted list below outlines the
grant request
CCWMA administration and the hired coordinator will be necessary to provide landowner assessments,
organize outreach activities,hold meetings, and compile data. Consulting firxns are needed to completed
additional modeling assessments and create an online database system for the Catfish Creek Watershed.
The Dubuque SWCD is pledging$156,000 ($31,200 annually) in match to support administration,
outreach, on-farxn assessments,modeling,reporting, marketing, and meetings. The City of Dubuque is
pledging $156,000 ($31,200 annually)to assist with these tasks as well. $20,000 is pledged for educational
outreach events and training events from the applicant. Additionally,the CCWMA is pledging $650,000
towards the implementation of conservation practices in the watershed. The total match from all sources is
$982,000.00. The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium is also offering in-kind support
through the use of educational outreach, and the use of their facility during meetings and outreach events.
From the proposal dollars, $10,000 will be used for educational outreach($2,000 annually). $5,000
($1,000 annually)will be used for supplies. $1,800 will be used to purchase one laptop computer.
$96,000 will be used for contractual services. $210,712.00 ($42,142.40 annually)will be used to hire a
watershed coordinator,which included all fringe benefits. $25,000 will be used for mileage
reimbursemenUtravel($5000 annually).
Budget Details:
• $1,800.00 in Equipment(Laptop Computer-one time purchase)
• $20,000.00 in Other ($5,000 per year) (Training and Education Outreach Events)
• $5,000.00 in Supplies ($1,000 per year)(postage, office materials)
• $96,000.00 ($32,000 each year 1-3) in Contractual to hire Consultants for modeling, educational
events and policy development
• $178,912.00 ($35,782.40 annually) in Personnel for one full time Coordinator/Outreach Support
position(includes fringe benefits)
• $25,000 ($5,000 annually) in Travel/Mileage
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2018 IPC Requestfor Proposal Template
VIL MeLhods: (Deliverables Table plus two (2)-page narrafive maximum. Please use the Deliverable Table
template available athttps://www.nres.usda.gov/wpsiportaUnres/detaiUia/people/partners/?cid�reseprd421663.
See c&rections on website for further information.)Methods, activities and procedures that will be taken to
complete the objectives identified in the previous section. Include a list of key project personnel,their relevant
education/experience, and their anticipated contributions to the project. You must use the deliverables table
provided by NRCS to list project actions,timeframes, and associated milestones.
The methods used to successfully complete our objectives listed in this proposal are as follows:
Objective 1 -Hire a consultant to perforxn both ACPF and PTMApp modeling on the CatFish Creek
Watershed. As noted above in Section IV(Program Objectives)both models have benefits to completing
an accurate assessment of pollutant loading and economic considerations when implementing conservation
practices. A Request for Proposals (RFP)will be advertised for consultants to complete the modeling,
pollutant load assessments, and create a publicly available online database detailing the water quality
impairments, soil health conditions, and conservation practices being implemented. All hired consultants
will have knowledge and professional work experience working with these models. This process should
not take longer than one year from the time after the consultant is hired. After this assessment and
modeling is done,professional presentations will be held to both elected officials and the public to explain
and showcase water quality challenges, create pollutant load reduction goals, and target conservation
practices. Milestones are listed below:
6/1/18 - City of Dubuque and CCWMA hire Consultant
7/1/19 -Datasets Completed for Catfish CreekModeling
4/1/19- 6/1/19 -Educational Outreach Events and Training
Objective 2 -Hire an watershed coordinator. The method to accomplish this will be to create a job
description that details the warkload of this position. This full-time position will be for 30 hours per week
and the coordinator will wark in tandem with the Dubuque S WCD and the City of Dubuque engineering
staff. This position will be for five years from the hired date. The workload and responsibilities of the
position would be as follows: (Milestones are listed in parenthesis)
• Using the completed watershed management plan and the ACPF and PTMApp modeling,begin to
prioritize landowners in the watershed to contact and schedule meetings. (On-going)
• Meet with 8-10 landowners per month to discuss the watershed management plan and their farxning
operations. (Monthly)
• Create an educational outreach component,focusing on soil health, cover crops, and no-till.
• Insta113 cover crop billboards. (Late winter in year 2,3, and 4)
• Install 12 edge of field conservation practice signs. (As projects are completed)
• Assist the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium with outreach days and field days.
(On-going)
• Host 8 educational warkshops for local producers. (2 workshops per year in years 2, 3, 4, and 5)
• Host demonstration site warkshops for producers and citizens. (2 demonstrations sites per year in
years 2,3, 4, and 5)
• Create a farmer-led collaboration board with warks with the CCWMA. (on-going)
• Create all necessary reporting documents. (quarterly, semi-annual, annual, and final)
• Assist with the CatFish Creek website and online database. (on-going)
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Objective 3 -Develop a county-wide policy for a cover crop/buffer initiative. This will entail hiring a
consultant to begin drafting a policy that uses our completed watershed plan and modeling, and accounts
for all necessary components to ensure a perxnanent sustainable program. This includes review of state
and federal cost-share programs, successes and failures, local policies, and developing a successful policy
that can be locally funded and implemented. An RFP will be advertised for consultants to complete
within the time-frame(estimated at one year)far these responsibilities after the ACPF and PTMApp has
been completed. Milestones are listed below:
9/1/18 -Hire Policy Consultant 4/1/19 - 50%Completed Policy Outline
8/1/19 -Policy Wark Completed 12/1/19 -Dubuque County Board of Supervisors approves policy
Another objective is the public outreach and education program. The education component of this
program ties into all the other objectives. This will help the land owners of the County and in the Catfish
Creek Watershed to make better informed decisions regarding soil health and BMPs. Three billboard signs
will be placed within the watershed in years two, three and four,for two to three months during late winter
and early spring that will promote planting cover crops. Twelve edge of field signs will be placed on
landowner's property that have implemented both shuctural and non-shuctural conservation practices.
Two educational workshops will be held for each year for both contractors and landowners detailing the
specifics of our watershed management plan and cost-share availability for projects. Far the last ten years,
the City of Dubuque and the Dubuque S WCD have held a successful watershed conference, and
components of this proposal will be included in the annual event as well.
As discussed in this proposal,the City of Dubuque and the CCWMA have formed a successful working
relationship. The State Revolving Fund(SRF) Sponsored project(which is being implemented by the
CCWMA)will oversee the $670,000 dollar cost-share dollars that will be used for landowner
reimbursement after conservation practices have been installed and inspected. Both Eric Schxnechel,
Urban Conservationist,with the Dubuque SWCD and Dean Mattoon,Engineering Technician,with the
City Dubuque will oversee the administration and management of this proposaL Eric and Dean's
education and experience is listed below:
• Eric Schxnechel -Bachelor of Science in Environmental Planning and Science and has been
working on conservation and watershed issues with the Dubuque S WCD far the last 11 years.
Started as a watershed coordinator in 2007, and has successfully started a county-wide urban
conservation program that has implemented several new ordinances and implemented
conservation practices throughout Dubuque County. Co-administer of the CCWMA.
• Dean Mattoon - 15 years of stormwater management with the City of Dubuque and holds two
national certifications based on watershed management and inspection. Co-Administer of
CCWMA.
Both Eric and Dean will coordinate with the CCWNIA, City of Dubuque(engineering, planning, and
finance),Dubuque SWCD,NRCS, and IDALS. Eric and Dean will oversee and manage each objective in
this proposal and will ensure all deadlines, reporting responsibilities, and project reimbursements are
successfully met.
7� P a ge
Task# Date Action Item Deliverables NRCS Cost Applicant Dubuque
SWCD
1 6/1/2018 Hire and Administer CCWMA A. NRCS notified Outreach Coordinator,address and $210,712.00 $156,000.00 $156,000.00
through end of Watershed Coordinator, Including contact information B. Meetings w NRCS, CCWMA,
project (2022) Benefits, Mileage, and Training City of Dubuque, Dubuque SWCD and Consultants
2 6/1/2018 Hire Consultant ACPF collection and data processing for Catfish $35,000.00 $0.00 $0.00
Creek and Training for staff
3 8/1/2018 Hire Consultant PTMApp Modeling and Economic Considerations $35,000.00 $0.00 $0.00
and Training for Staff
4 9/1/2018 - Hire Consultant Begin Work on County-wide Soil Health/Cover Crop $20,000.00 $0.00 $0.00
3/1/19 Policy
5 6/1/2018 Conservation Project Cost-Share Projects on both Urban and Agricultural $0.00 $650,000.00 $0.00
through end of Implementation
project (2022)
6 4/1/19 -4/1/22 8 Educational Workshops held for NRCS and CCWMA will attend Meetings and Create $5,000.00 $20,000.00 $0.00
landowners Agendas, Minutes, Etc.
7 Spring/Fall Project Demonstration Sites Outreach Coordinator organizes and works with $5,000.00 $0.00 $0.00
2019, 2020, agricultural producers for Demonstration Sites
2021
8 Winter/Spring Educational Outreach Working with CCWMA and Dubuque SWCD to $10,000.00 $0.00 $0.00
2019, 2020, Signs/Billboards develop and install Cover Crop billboards and signs
2021 in Watershed
9 Spring 2019 PTMapp and ACPF stakeholder Work with CCWMA, Elected Officials, and citizens $6,000.00 $0.00 $0.00
and Fall 2019 training sessions on the educational component for watershed
planning modeling and implementation
10 9/30, 12/31, Submit Quarterly Financial Reports, Submit all required documents to NRCS Liason and $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
3/31, and 6/30 accurals, and Semi-Annuals report local stakeholders
til end of
11 Within 90 days Compile and submit final report Evaluate project success; submit final report to $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
of end of N RCS
project (6/22)
12
Sub-Total $326,712.00 $826,000.00 $156,000.00
Indirect Costs $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Total $326,712.00 $826,000.00 $156,000.00