DATE: September 6, 2017
TO: Board of Mayor and Aldermen
FROM: Eric Stuckey, City Administrator
Mark Hilty, Assistant City Administrator - Public Works
Michelle Hatcher, Water Management Director
Shauna Billingsley, City Attorney
SUBJECT:
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*Consideration of Interlocal Agreement Between The City Of Franklin And Tennessee Department Of Environment And Conservation For Financial Assistance With The Total Maximum Daily Load Study (COF Contract #2017-0219)
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Purpose
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide information to the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) concerning an Interlocal Agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Background
Currently, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) region 4 is undertaking a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study on the entire Harpeth River. A TMDL study establishes the maximum amount of a pollutant allowed in a water body in order to meet water quality standards. The Harpeth River is approximately 125 miles long, 15 miles of which run through the city of Franklin. The river does come to Franklin's city limits in an impaired state. The TMDL study underway now is designed to replace a study completed in 2004.
In May of 2016, the City entered into a settlement agreement with the Harpeth River Watershed Association (now known as Harpeth Conservancy). As a part of that settlement, the City agreed to "fund a proportional percentage of any required studies to ensure that the Harpeth River Watershed as a whole undergoes a study of scientifically appropriate level of detail and the City's load allocation is fairly determined in the context of the entire watershed, but in no case shall the City expend funds on studies outside the City's Urban Growth Boundary [("UGB")]." The City further agreed to "contribute proportionate, meaningful and appropriate funds for [TMDL] studies wi...
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