Title
Request to Approve the Wetland Mitigation Credit Sales Agreement between GLWA and OMO Farm, LLC
Body
Agenda of: June 28, 2023
Item No.: 2023-240
Amount: $163,200.00
TO: The Honorable
Board of Directors
Great Lakes Water Authority
FROM: Suzanne R. Coffey, P.E.
Chief Executive Officer
Great Lakes Water Authority
DATE: June 23, 2023
RE: Request to Approve the Wetland Mitigation Credit Sales Agreement between GLWA and OMO Farm, LLC
MOTION
Upon recommendation and opinion of Suzanne R. Coffey, Chief Executive Officer, and Randal M. Brown, Deputy Chief Administrative and Compliance Officer and General Counsel, the Board of Directors for the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA):
1) Approves the Wetland Mitigation Credit Sales Agreement to purchase wetland credits from Omo Farm, LLC; and
2) Authorizes the Chief Executive Officer to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote, including executing the Wetland Mitigation Credit Sales Agreement and any related documents.
JUSTIFICATION
This Wetland Mitigation Credit Sales Agreement is necessary to complete the 96" Water Transmission Relocation Project. It is also required by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (“EGLE”). Specifically, Part 303 Wetland Protection of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended: (“Part 303 Rules”).
During GLWA’s construction work, it was necessary to impact 1.23 acres of emergent wetlands and 0.12 acres of forested wetlands. As a result, GLWA has to mitigate or replace them. The replacement comes in the form of purchasing an equal amount of wetland credits from a State certified wetland farm.
GLWA would obtain 1.35 acres of wetland credits from Omo Farm, LLC, Brighton, MI. Omo Farms is State certified and operates and maintains a wetland farm.
To determine price, the State adopted a methodology. Based upon the methodology, the cost of 1.35 forested and emerging wetland credits is $163,200 ($130,0000/acre for forested wetland credits, and $120,000/acre for emergent wetland credits).
BUDGET IMPACT
Sufficient funds are available to purchase these wetland mitigation credits under CIP 2004825, the 96” Water Transmission Main Relocation Project.
COMMITTEE REVIEW
This matter was presented to the Legal Committee at its meeting on June 28, 2023.
SHARED SERVICES IMPACT
There is no impact the Shared Services Agreement between GLWA and DWSD.