Iowa Watershed Project Letter of SupportMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO Michael C Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
DATE March 13, 2012
SUBJECT Iowa Watershed Project Letter of Interest
Dubuque
had
NI- America City
'I 1 1 I'
2007
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request the City Council to approve the attached Letter of Interest and authorize the
Mayor to sign the Letter of Interest The Letter of Interest requests that the Catfish Creek Watershed be included as an Iowa
Watershed Project and will be sent with supporting documentation to the Iowa Flood Center by April 2, 2012
BACKGROUND
In2010, the State of Iowa received $84 1 million in supplemental funding from the U S Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) to assist with ongoing disaster recovery programs following the floods and tornadoes in 2008 Iowa
allocated $10 million of these funds to educational activities and watershed projects as authorized by the Iowa General
Assembly earlier that year through House File 2459
IIHR - Hydroscience &Engineering (IIHR) and the Iowa Flood Center (IFC) at the University of Iowa were awarded $8 8
million to plan, implement and evaluate watershed projects The specific goals of the watershed projects, as delineated in HF
2459, are as follows
• maximize soil water holding capacity from precipitation,
• minimize severe scour erosion and sand deposition during floods,
• manage water runoff in uplands under saturated soil moisture conditions, and
• reduce and mitigate structural and nonstructural flood damage
The watershed projects will seek to restore and enhance Iowa's drainage infrastructure to create more reliable flood
protection Projects will be designed to enhance both the quantity and quality of water in Iowa's watersheds Partners in this
project include the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR),the Iowa Department ofAgricukure and Land Stewardship
(IDALS),the Iowa Economic DevelopmentAuthonty (IEDA),the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS),
IIHR - Hydroscience &Engineering and the Iowa Flood Center (IFC)
DISCUSSION
The Iowa Watershed Project allows the IIHR /IFC to partner with cities or counties to complete a hydrologic assessment of the
Catfish Creek Watershed The larger watershed will then be divided into a minimum of three smaller "sub' watersheds (i e
North Fork Catfish Creek Watershed) and be evaluated for the construction of watershed projects The watershed projects
will be monitored throughout the project and evaluated at project completion to show their impact and effectiveness within the
watershed as well as implications on a larger scale
The overall project will be conducted in two phases over a five year period as outlined below
Phase 1
The project will begin with an initial hydrologic assessment for each selected watershed The hydrologic assessment will
include data collection, hydrologic model development and an assessment of the areas most likely to reduce flood damages
downstream Local agencies and organizations in the selected watersheds will work with staff and researchers at IIHRAFC to
collect data and information in the watershed as well as serve as hosts for outreach events to be conducted throughout the
watershed
Phase 1 is anticipated to last 18 -24 months and will commence when the watersheds have been selected through this RFI
process in early summer of 2012
Phase II
In the second phase of the project, a minimum of three (3) subwatersheds from within the larger watershed receiving a
hydrologic assessment in Phase I, will be identified for the construction of watershed projects The most beneficial
combination and location of projects for Phase II will be determined by the hydrologic assessment Local agencies and
organizations in the selected watersheds will be responsible for establishing relationships with landowners that will allow for
the construction and implementation of the watershed projects
Potential watershed projects include distributed storage (including both passive- and active- controlled), flood plain
restoration, buffer strip installation and enhancement, advanced tile drainage systems, urban and rural infiltration practices,
reforestation and flood easement acquisition The projects will seek to enhance both water quantity and quality in the
watershed
Local agencies and organizations will work with IIHR /IFC to identify, plan and monitor the watershed projects throughout the
duration of the project Funding to support the construction of watershed projects will be provided to the primary applicant, an
eligible city or county within the watershed, from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) A total of five million
dollars will be split between the selected watersheds for the construction of the projects
Construction and implementation of the watershed projects will commence in FY14
Preference in the selection process will be given to applicants /watersheds that demonstrate the following
• Established relationships with landowners
• Experience with large -scale watershed planning
• Active community involvement and engagement throughout the watershed
The Urban Conservationist for the City of Dubuque and the Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation District is currently
gathering Letters of Support from the Cities of Peosta, Asbury and Centralia These letters along with the Letter of Interest
and information packet will be submitted by April 2, 2012 to the IFC
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that the City Council approve the attached Letter of Interest and authorize the Mayor to sign the letter
PROJECT COST - BUDGET IMPACT
Strong consideration for the award is given to applicants that can provide local financial and /or in -kind support through the
duration of the project The City already has strong in -kind support in place with Engineering Department staff (Civil Engineer
II, Environmental Engineer, and Engineering Technician positions) and through the existing agreement with the Dubuque Soil
and Water Conservation District for the Urban Conservationist position If awarded, this project will positively affect the City's
budget because much of the hydrologic and alternatives analysis necessary for the forthcoming Catfish Creek Watershed
Management Plan will be completed by the project
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I request the City Council to approve the attached Letter of Interest and authorize the Mayor to sign the letter
Prepared by
cc
Todd Shoemaker, Environmental Engineer
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
Paul Schultz, Resource Management Coordinator
Todd Shoemaker, Environmental Engineer
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Iowa Watershed Project Letter of Interest
DATE: March 15, 2012
Dubuque
bierd
All-America City
1
2007
City Engineer Gus Psihoyos is recommending approval of the attached Letter of Interest
and authorize the Mayor to sign the Letter of Interest. The Letter of Interest requests
that the Catfish Creek Watershed be included as an Iowa Watershed Project.
In 2010, the State of Iowa received $84.1 million in supplemental funding from the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to assist with ongoing disaster
recovery programs following the floods and tornadoes in 2008. Iowa allocated $10
million of these funds to educational activities and watershed projects as authorized by
the Iowa General Assembly earlier that year through House File 2459.
IIHR - Hydroscience & Engineering (IIHR) and the Iowa Flood Center (IFC) at the
University of Iowa were awarded $8.8 million to plan, implement and evaluate
watershed projects. The specific goals of the watershed projects, as delineated in HF
2459, are as follows:
• maximize soil water holding capacity from precipitation,
• minimize severe scour erosion and sand deposition during floods,
• manage water runoff in uplands under saturated soil moisture conditions, and
• reduce and mitigate structural and nonstructural flood damage.
The watershed projects will seek to restore and enhance Iowa's drainage infrastructure
to create more reliable flood protection. Projects will be designed to enhance both the
quantity and quality of water in Iowa's watersheds. Partners in this project include the
Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the Iowa Department of Agriculture and
Land Stewardship (IDALS), the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), the
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), IIHR — Hydroscience &
Engineering and the Iowa Flood Center (IFC).
The Iowa Watershed Project allows the IIHR /IFC to partner with cities or counties to
complete a hydrologic assessment of the Catfish Creek Watershed.
Strong consideration for the award is given to applicants that can provide local financial
and /or in -kind support through the duration of the project. The City already has strong
in -kind support in place with Engineering Department staff (Civil Engineer II,
Environmental Engineer, and Engineering Technician positions) and through the
existing agreement with the Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation District for the Urban
Conservationist position. If awarded, this project will positively affect the City's budget
because much of the hydrologic and alternatives analysis necessary for the forthcoming
Catfish Creek Watershed Management Plan will be completed by the project.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Service Manager
Don Vogt, Public Works Director
Paul Schultz, Resource Management Coordinator
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
David Lyons, Smarter Sustainable Dubuque Project Manager
Todd Shoemaker, Environmental Engineer
2
THE CITY OF
Dui
Dubuque
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007
Mr. Larry Weber
IIHR — Hydroscience and Engineering
107c Stanley Hydraulics Laboratory
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
Mr. Weber:
Office of the Mayor
City Hall
50 West 13t Street
Dubuque, IA 52001 -4864
www.cityofdubuque.org
March 13, 2012
As Mayor and on behalf of my City Council colleagues, I respectfully submit this Letter of Interest
from the City of Dubuque outlining our request to include the Catfish Creek Watershed in the Iowa
Watershed Project. The City believes successful analyses and practical recommendations can be
attained for the Catfish Creek Watershed because our existing staff and local resources can
complement the expertise of the Iowa Flood Center (IFC) staff and resources.
Over the past 13 years, seven Presidential Disaster Declarations have been declared for the City
of Dubuque (through which Catfish Creek drains). After each event, City staff and residents rose to
the occasion to recover and support each other. The City began planning to reduce flooding and
improve water quality after the first Disaster Declaration and continues those efforts today.
In 1999, the City initiated the Drainage Basin Master Plan study for the Bee Branch Creek, through
which over $60 million will be invested to reduce flooding and improve water quality. Other City
initiatives include: the Catfish Creek Watershed Management Authority; the Sustainable
Watershed Network partnership with the University of Iowa; the Upper Catfish Creek Watershed
Project; the Smart Planning Consortium; participation in lowater; and a City budget line item for
stormwater education and outreach which includes an annual Low Impact Development workshop.
The attached information packet further describes the Catfish Creek Watershed, the projects noted
above, current and past planning activities, and community involvement and outreach. The City of
Dubuque and its partners have a proven record of sustainability, leadership, and the ability to
implement successful flood reduction and water quality improvement projects.
Since 2006, the Dubuque City Council has identified becoming a more Sustainable City as one of
our top priorities for our community. "Sustainable Dubuque" is a community that values water as a
source of life and seeks to preserve and manage it in all forms. Through the Iowa Watershed
Project, the City of Dubuque and IFC can expand our sustainability efforts and improve the lives of
Dubuque residents.
Sincerely,
�✓ IRS f
Roy D. Buol,
Mayor
IIHR - Hydroscience & Engineering and
the Iowa Flood Center at
the University of Iowa
Request for Information
Iowa Watershed Projects
Responses due: April 2, 2012
Background
In 2010. Iowa received $84.1 million in supplemental funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) to assist with ongoing disaster recovery programs following the floods and
tornadoes in 2008. Iowa allocated $10 million of these funds to educational activities and watershed
projects as authorized by the Iowa General Assembly earlier that year through House File 2459.
IIHR - Hydroscience & Engineering (IIHR) and the Iowa Flood Center (IFC) at the University of Iowa
were awarded $8.8 million to plan. implement and evaluate watershed projects. The specific goals of the
watershed projects, as delineated in HF 2459. are as follows:
- maximize soil water holding capacity from precipitation,
- minimize severe scour erosion and sand deposition during floods.
- manage water runoff in uplands under saturated soil moisture conditions, and
- reduce and mitigate structural and nonstructural flood damage.
The watershed projects will seek to restore and enhance Iowa's drainage infrastructure to create more
reliable flood protection. Projects will be designed to enhance both the quantity and quality of water in
Iowa's watersheds.
Partners in this project include the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the Iowa Department
of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), the
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). IIHR — Hydroscience & Engineering and the
Iowa Flood Center (IFC).
Scope of Services
The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to solicit letters of interest from agencies and
communities interested in partnering on a multi -year watershed project aimed at reducing the adverse
impacts of flooding.
Based on the responses to this RFI, three or four watersheds, no larger than a HUC 8 (as defined by the
US Geological Survey). will be selected to partner with IIHRIIFC in completing a hydrological
assessment. From these larger watersheds, a minimum of three smaller areas. at the HUC 12 scale, will be
identified as areas for the construction of watershed projects. The watershed projects will be monitored
throughout the project and evaluated at project completion to show their impact and effectiveness within
the watershed as well as implications on a larger scale.
The overall project will be conducted in two phases over a five year period as outlined below.
Phase I
The project will begin with an initial hydrologic assessment for each selected HUC 8 watershed. The
hydrologic assessment will include data collection, hydrologic model development and an assessment of
the areas most likely to reduce flood damages downstream. Local agencies and organizations in the
selected watersheds will work with staff and researchers at IIHRIIFC to collect data and information in
the watershed as well as serve as hosts for outreach events to be conducted throughout the watershed.
Phase I is anticipated to last 18 -24 months and will commence when the watersheds have been selected
through this RFI process in early summer of 2012.
2
Request for In formahon — Iowa Watershed Projects
Phase II
In the second phase of the project, a minimum of three (3) subwatersheds, at the HUC 12 scale, from
within the HUC 8 watersheds receiving a hydrologic assessment in Phase I, will be identified for the
construction of watershed projects. The most beneficial combination and location of projects for Phase II
will be determined by the hydrologic assessment. Local agencies and organizations in the selected HUC
12 watersheds will be responsible for establishing relationships with landowners that will allow for the
construction and implementation of the watershed projects.
Potential watershed projects include distributed storage (including both passive- and active- controlled),
flood plain restoration, buffer strip installation and enhancement, advanced tile drainage systems, urban
and rural infiltration practices, reforestation and flood easement acquisition. The projects will seek to
enhance both water quantity and quality in the watershed.
Local agencies and organizations will work with IIHR/IFC to identify, plan and monitor the watershed
projects throughout the duration of the project. Funding to support the construction of watershed projects
will be provided to the primary applicant, an eligible city or county within the watershed, from the Iowa
Economic Development Authority (IEDA). A total of five million dollars will be split between the
selected watersheds for the construction of the projects.
Construction and implementation of the watershed projects will commence in FY14.
Eligibility
Applicants
Eligible applicants include cities or counties located within the 85 Iowa counties declared federal disaster
areas during and after the 2008 floods. It is expected that a group consisting of a number of government
and non - profit entities from a single watershed will be active participants in this project. However, under
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations, one participating city or county must
be selected as the formal applicant, acting on behalf of the group. This city or county will become the
fiscal agent and will sign all contracts and related documents for selected watersheds.
if atershecls
Watersheds proposed and selected for participation in this project must be no larger than a HUC 8
watershed and be located within the 85 Iowa counties that were declared a federal disaster area in 2008 as
a result of flooding. This includes Adams. Adair, Allamakee, Appanoose, Audubon, Benton, Black Hawk,
Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Carroll, Cass, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Clinton. Davis. Decatur, Des
Moines, Chickasaw, Cedar, Clarke, Clayton, Crawford, Dallas, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Floyd,
Franklin, Fremont, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison. Henry. Howard,
Humboldt. Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Kossuth, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Lucas, Lyon,
Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Mills. Mitchell, Montgomery, Monona, Monroe, Muscatine, Page,
Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Scott, Story, Tama, Taylor. Union.
'Ian Buren. Wapello, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Winnebago, Winneshiek. Worth and Wright
counties.
Request for Information — Iowa Watershed Projects
Response Submission
Applicants should submit completed responses electronically before 4:00 pm CST on April 2. 2012 to:
Larry Weber. IIHR — Hydroscience and Engineering. University of Iowa
Email: Larry- weber2"uiowa.edu
The following information should be included in a submission:
- Cover sheet — see AppendzeA
- Letter of interest describing the proposed watershed. not to exceed 4 pages — seeAppendze B
The letter should be typewritten on an 8.5" x 11" paper with 1" margins in font size 11 Arial and
submitted as an Adobe PDF. (If Adobe is unavailable. Microsoft Word is acceptable).
- Letters of support
- Map of proposed watershed
Review and Selection Process
Preference in the selection process will be given to applicants /watersheds that demonstrate the following:
- Established relationships with landowners
- Experience with large -scale watershed planning
- Active community involvement and engagement throughout the watershed
Strong consideration in selecting watersheds will also be given to applicants that can provide local
financial and /or in -kind support through the duration of the project.
Letters of interest responsive to this RFI will be reviewed by the Iowa Watershed Project Advisory
Committee. The Advisory Committee is comprised of representatives from the Iowa Department of
Natural Resources (DNR). the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS). the Iowa
Economic Development Authority (IEDA). the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA). the USDA Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Iowa State University. IIHR - Hydroscience & Engineering and
the Iowa Flood Center.
Anticipated Timeline
April 2012 Request for Information responses due
May 2012 Advisory committee review submittals. select watersheds for project
June 2012 Engage select watershed communities in watershed project planning.
initiate watershed data collection and modeling
May 2014 Complete hydrologic assessment
Summer 2014 Begin project construction
Contact information
Inquiries and comments regarding this RFI should be directed to the following:
Larry Weber. IIHR — Hydroscience Engineering. University of Iowa
E -mail: Larry- weberh'uiowa.edu
Office: 319 -335 -5597
4
Request for In formahon — Iowa Watershed Projects
Proposed Watershed:
Appendix A - Applicant Cover Sheet
Iowa Watershed Projects Request for Information
Formal Applicant (City or County):
Contact Person:
Street Address:
City /State /Zip:
Telephone Number:
E -mail Address:
Additional watershed project partners
Include name of orgameatron, contact person and e -mail address. Letters of support should be prouder
from all organza-Mons listed below.
5
Request for Information — Iowa Watershed Protects
Appendix B - Watershed Information
Iowa Watershed Projects Request for Information
Response due Monday. April 2. 2012 — 4:00 pm CST
Provide the relevant information listed below regarding the proposed watershed for the Iowa Watershed
Projects in a letter format.
ifatershed Characternstzcs & Projects
This section should provide basic background information about the watershed:
- Identify the watershed proposed for this project
- Identify known data sources or available information related to water quality and quantity
specific to the proposed watershed
- Identify past or current relationships and activities with landowners in the watershed (both urban
and rural)
- Identify any finances or in -kind support available in the watershed. include federal. state and local
resources
- Identify past or current State or Federal watershed projects
- Identify past or current flood mitigation projects in the watershed
- Provide a map of the proposed watershed and boundaries
Plmnnng and 1isromng
This section should provide information on any current or past planning efforts within the watershed:
- Identify status of 28E agreement for watershed. if applicable
- Identify any completed assessments of or plans for the watershed (comprehensive, land use.
stream. social)
- Identify any interagency work groups in the watershed
- Identify key organizations. communities and individuals active in watershed planning and their
roles
Connnnnztj Involvement and Outreach
This section should identify involvement of the community and regional engagement in the watershed:
- Identify agencies and communities active in watershed outreach and educational activities
- Describe any current or past outreach and community engagement events in the watershed
including key partners and target audiences
- Identify other potential partners within the watershed
6
Request for Information — Iowa Watershed Projects
Catfish Creek Watershed Maps
Below are the five branches that make
up Catfish Creek
From top to bottom they are
1 North Fork
2 Middle Fork
3 South Fork
4 Catfish Fork
5 Granger Creek
dle FTk(Catfish Creek Basin
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1 i �, .0 -6C.;3 u!, -ti
- - - - - .
Noah Folk C:atfjsh Creek Bas—in' ,
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i
(32)
South Fsrk Catfish
L1