R2013-48 AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT WITH AGRICULTURAL WATERSHED INSTITUTE

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THE AGRICULTURAL WATERSHED INSTITUTE 4004 COLLEGE PARK ROAD DECATUR, ILLINOIS 62521 TEL. (217)877-5640 FAx(217)877-5641 May 10, 2013 Mr. Keith Alexander Director of Water Management City of Decatur One Gary K. Anderson Plaza Decatur, IL 62523 Re: Proposed Agreement for Financial Support of Watershed Research and Education 2013 Dear Mr. Alexander: The Agricultural Watershed Institute (AWI) is pleased to submit this proposed agreement for consideration by the City of Decatur (City). AWI was incorporated in 2003 and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. During recent years, the City of Decatur has provided general support for AWI's research and educational activities and project-specific support for the Local Bioenergy Initiative through two separate agreements. For the remainder of the 2013 calendar year, AWI requests continued support through this agreement which combines the scope of the separate agreements that recently expired. AWI MISSION AND FOCUS AREAS AWI's mission is to conduct research and educational programs on practices and policies that improve water quality, maintain or restore ecosystem health, and conserve and manage land and water resources in agricultural watersheds. The Upper Sangamon River Watershed, which includes the Lake Decatur Watershed, is our home watershed and the location of much of our ongoing project activity. We conduct applied research on issues of local, regional and national importance. We aspire to achieve national leadership in our research focus areas. AWI's research builds on and complements the work of the Macon County Soil & Water Conservation District and other SWCDs for the protection of Lake Decatur. AWI maintains collaborative partnerships with academic institutions including the University of Illinois, Millikin University and Richland Community College and with Lake Decatur watershed stakeholders. WORK TO BE PERFORMED WITH CITY FINANCIAL SUPPORT The financial support to be provided by the City will be used to continue and expand work by AWI in the following focus areas and that may be determined in consultation with City representatives during the period of this agreement.