Presenter/Contact
Presenter
Mark Enders, Watershed Program Manager
Contact Info
(830) 221-4020 - menders@nbtexas.org
Subject Header
SUBJECT:
Title
Discuss and consider approval of a grant application to the FY2018 Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Grant through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for $1,415,300 to implement management measures identified in the Dry Comal Creek/ Comal River Watershed Protection Plan and authorizing the City Manager to accept funds and to execute all contract documents associated with the grant, if awarded.
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BACKGROUND / RATIONALE:
The Dry Comal Creek/ Comal River Watershed Protection Plan (WPP) was developed with the help of local stakeholders and technical advisors to address bacteria loading to both the Dry Comal Creek and Comal River.
The WPP identifies sources of bacteria pollution, estimates the bacteria load reductions needed to achieve state water quality standards, and includes management measures to reduce bacteria loading. The WPP also includes an Outreach and Education Plan for educating the community of the water quality concerns at hand. The WPP also includes a 10-year implementation schedule and an estimate of financial assistance needed to implement the WPP.
A grant application has been prepared in order to request $1,415,300 in funding from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to implement management measures identified in the WPP over a three year period.
Application Submission Date: 07/31/2017
Anticipated Funding Selection Date: 10/27/2017
Anticipated Award Date: September 2018
ADDRESSES A NEED/ISSUE IN A CITY PLAN OR COUNCIL PRIORITY:
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X |
Yes |
City Plan/Council Priority: |
Strategic Priorities: Infrastructure Objective 1a - Use a variety of funding sources for operational and capital needs. |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The WPP Implementation Grant total project cost is $1,415,300. The match requirement for this grant is 40% of the project cost: $566,120. The match funds will be supported with in-kind contributions from City staff, Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan project costs and with in-kind contributions from project partners (i.e. Guadalupe Blanco River Authority, Comal County, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension & Edwards Aquifer Authority).
Recommendation
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
A WPP stakeholder group composed of approx. 20 local stakeholders has provided input and support during the development of the Dry Comal Creek/ Comal River WPP.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of a grant application to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for $1,415,300 to implement management measures identified in the Dry Comal Creek/ Comal River Watershed Protection Plan and authorization for the City Manager to accept funds and to execute all contract documents associated with the grant, if awarded.