MEMORANDUM

TO:                  Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager

FROM:            Lance Norris, Public Works Director

Kenneth C. Pennoyer, Director of Business Management

Sue Burke, Stormwater Management

SUBJECT:       Budget Ordinance for the Bolin Creek Watershed Restoration EPA Section 319 Grant

DATE:            April 15, 2009

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to recommend that the Council enact the attached budget ordinances to accept the EPA Section 319 Grant in the amount of $369,792 in a multi-year fund and to provide the local match of $127,314 in cash and/or in-kind services from the Stormwater Utility Fund.

BACKGROUND

On January 28, 2008, the Council authorized the filing of an application for US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 319 grant funds to the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NC DENR) for the Bolin Creek Watershed Restoration.

The EPA’s 319 Grant Program provides assistance to communities to address impaired waters and nonpoint sources of pollution by developing or implementing a Watershed Restoration Plan.  Grant funds are used to implement projects that will have defined, measurable results in improving watershed conditions.  Since 2006, the Chapel Hill and the Town of Carrboro have been working collaboratively with the EPA and NC DENR to select projects that would be appropriate for 319 grant funds and help meet the overall watershed restoration goals. 

In June 2008, the Town was notified that the application was approved for the full grant amount.

DISCUSSION

The grant application included the following projects:

• Stream restoration and enhancement of two small tributaries of Tanyard Branch at the Chapel Hill – Carrboro boundary;
• Gully repair, bank stabilization, and erosion control on a tributary of Mill Race;
• Development of a Nine Element Watershed Restoration Plan for Bolin Creek to guide future restoration projects;
• Initiation of long term monitoring in the Bolin Creek watershed for determining measurable results; and
• A stormwater management alternatives analysis for a dense urban subwatershed of Tanyard Branch in preparation of future projects in the area.

The total project cost is $632,320.  The EPA Section 319 grant provides $369,792 in federal funds.  The remaining balance of $262,528 represents the local match. A total of $98,700 in in-kind services will be provided by North Carolina State University, the Friends of Bolin Creek, and the Town of Carrboro.  The Town of Carrboro will contribute $36,514 in cash also. 

The Town of Chapel Hill’s local match requirement is $127,314 (cash and/or in-kind services).  These funds are available in the Stormwater Utility Fund.

RECOMMENDATION

That the Council enact the attached ordinances [(2009-04-15/O-1) and (2009-04-15/O-2)].