|
|
| Interagency Coordination
Agreement (ICA) |
The Chicago District, Army Corps of
Engineers (Corps) administers a permit program
under section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which
regulates various activities in waters of the
United States, including wetlands. As a
condition of permit issuance, the Corps requires
appropriate soil erosion and sediment control
measures to be implemented and maintained until
the construction site is re-vegetated and
stabilized. The Corps reviews the impacts of a
proposed project with the supposition that soil
erosion from the site will be negligible.
However, the Corps has frequently observed that
many permittees fail to implement and maintain
appropriate erosion and sediment control
measures. As a result, the impact of the project
becomes more than minimal. Construction site
erosion has been identified as a significant
source of pollution in Illinois lakes and
streams. Sediment deposition from water erosion
results in the loss of sensitive or threatened
fish species and reduced food supplies, reduced
channel capacity, reduced storm water conveyance
and storage functions and crates safety and
nuisance issues.
In May of 1997 the North Cook County Soil &
Water Conservation District entered into an
Interagency Coordination Agreement (ICA) with
the USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Service
and the United States Army Corps of Engineers -
Chicago District.
The intent of the ICA is to utilize technical
expertise of the SWCD and the NRCS. The SWCD
reviews an applicant’s soil erosion and sediment
control plan (SESC) and determines if the plan
meets technical standards. Applicants are
required to give the SWCD the information
necessary to conduct an adequate technical
review of the plan. The Corps will use the
SWCD’s opinion, in part, to ensure that the
impacts of the project are not more than
minimal. The SWCD representative should attend
pre-construction meetings and will periodically
inspect the site during active construction.
The United States Army Corps of Engineering
retains the final decision about soil, water and
the other natural resources, and any issues,
opinions, findings, or actions resulting from
the ICA plan reviews. |
| |
|
