Department: Public Works
Staff Contact: Mary Jaeger / Beth Wright
Subject: Consideration of Watershed Organization Agreements with Johnson County.
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Item Description:
Consideration of Watershed Organization Agreements with Johnson County. e
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Summary:
In 2016, the Board of County Commissioners adopted a new strategic plan for the Johnson County Stormwater Management Program (SMP). The plan includes watershed-based approaches for stormwater management. In order to implement the plan, six (6) Watershed Organizations will be formed in Johnson County to coordinate watershed-wide stormwater management projects. The Watershed Organizations will be formed with membership from the municipalities in Johnson County that lie within each watershed boundary. The City of Olathe will participate in Watershed Organizations 2, 3 and 6. Watershed Organization boundaries are shown in Attachment C.
The Watershed Organization Agreements establish the purpose, membership requirements, and by-laws for the Watershed Organizations. To support these Organizations, the County is currently working on watershed plans and updated policies for the Stormwater Management Advisory Council (SMAC).
It is anticipated that the Watershed Organization formation, watershed planning and SMAC policy updates will be completed in 2020.
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Financial Impact:
The watershed-based SMAC program will expand project eligibility to include water quality protection, system management, and flood control. Traditionally, only flood control projects were funded with 75% County funding. Under the new program, projects with a watershed scope will be eligible to receive 100% County funding, while local projects will receive 50% funding.
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Action Needed:
Approval of Watershed Organization Agreements with Johnson County.
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Attachment(s):
A: Watershed Organization Agreements
B: Watershed Organization By-Laws
C: Watershed Organization Boundary Map