R2024-111 Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with Ecosystem Services Exchange, for Services with the Regional Conservation Partnership Program

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increase the benefit-to-cost ratio.All designs will include the use of LiDAR and an assessment of soil suitability for the proposed practice. ESE will conduct remote site and feasibility assessments and make recommendations for the suitability of a drainage water management system(automated or manual), saturated buffers,and denitrifying bioreactors for each outlet identified by program participants and estimate the area of impact. ESE will communicate with participants regarding potential benefits,cost-effectiveness,and the overall functionality of each of the outlets in question. ESE will develop comprehensive designs,construction cost estimates, and construction plans for each practice/site/outlet. ESE ensures that NRCS conservation practice standards are adhered to. The following products will be combined in a single package upon completion: • Plans and specification for selected conservation drainage practices in accordances with Illinois NRCS conservation practice standards(CPSs)for 554, 587, 604, and 605. • Operation and Maintenance Plan for the selected conservation drainage practices in accordance with Illinois NRCS CPSs 554, 587, 604, and 605. • Engineer's estimate of probable construction costs for the selected conservation drainage practices. • Documentation/certifications required for floodplain permitting. • Checkout sheet for as-built documentation. ESE is committed to achieving all of the applicable project schedule dates for its deliverables,and to ensuring its timely and thorough communication with the City of Decatur. ESE's Budget Justification NRCS has determined it is more costly to develop a DIA 164 in the absence of a tile map and this is reflected in the Illinois NRCS practice scenarios posted online. For federal fiscal year 2024,NRCS's estimate of the 100 percent(full)cost for a DIA 164 with tile map is$6,839.36,whereas the 100 percent (full)cost estimate for a DIA 164 without a tile map is$9,315.76. The published cost estimates are the basis for how NRCS provides financial assistance for a DIA 164 under EQIP and RCPP. These cost estimates are updated annually on a federal fiscal year basis to account for cost changes because of labor and other associated costs. The proposed project budget for ESE is$469,792.52 to complete the development and handoff to the City of Decatur for 70 DIA 164s. This amount is based on ESE applying a 20 percent discount to the NRCS full cost,thereby invoicing the City of Decatur for only 80 percent of the NRCS full cost. This will reduce ESE's total charge for the completion of 70 DIA 164s from$587,240.65 to $469,792.52--a savings of at least$117.448.13 to the City of Decatur. ESE will have responsibility for DIA 164 activities of the project--remote site assessments, on-site investigations and engineering surveys,planning, and design. ESE anticipates using sub agreement(s) with local SWCDs to act on ESE's behalf to conduct most of the on-site investigations and engineering surveys. This will improve efficiency and ensure ESE does not have to request a travel budget from the City of Decatur to support on-site field work. Rather,ESE will perform its design work remotely with the