Title
Mutual Assistance Agreement Between the City of Phoenix and The Nature Conservancy
Description
Request approval for the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a mutual assistance agreement with The Nature Conservancy to identify favorable areas for potential green infrastructure/low impact development (LID) investment.
Report
Summary
LID is a practical alternative to traditional stormwater management practices to help control stormwater runoff near its origin, recharge aquifers and restore watersheds. LID emphasizes both land and water conservation, with minimal dependence on hardscape impervious surfaces. It focuses on using natural systems and pervious surfaces to provide important services such as:
- Capturing, cleaning and infiltrating stormwater.
- Reducing flooding, sedimentation and erosion.
- Irrigating vegetation that shades streets, sidewalks, and buildings.
- Creating more desirable places for biking and walking.
- Reducing the urban heat island effect.
Features can include bioswales, curb cuts, permeable pavement/pavers, detention/retention basins, and infiltration trenches/planters.
The City currently has several LID pilot projects at various locations but there is a need to identify where these features could provide the highest ecological benefit. The Nature Conservancy is proposing to undertake a study to analyze LID impacts at scale across the city and in favorable catchments to help inform LID planning decisions.
Multiple data resources will be overlaid to determine highly favorable locations for potential LID placement, including (but not limited to) biophysical indicators such as soils and existing impervious surfaces, the County Heat Vulnerability Index, flood risk data and local flooding hotspots, and air quality data. The study will also include a literature review on applicability of LID in arid environments for specific purposes, such as irrigating trees or regulating storm flows. The study will provide information and recommendations for strategy and placement best practices, but it will not prescriptively determine LID placement.
Multiple departments including the Water Services Department, Street Transportation Department, Parks and Recreation Department, and Planning and Development will be participating and contributing to this study but the Office of Environmental Programs in the City Manager's Office will be the lead Responsible Department and signatory on the agreement.
Contract Term
The agreement will be for the term of the study, which is expected to be complete in two to three years. Partners in the study currently include the City of Phoenix, The Nature Conservancy, the Flood Control District of Maricopa County, and the Bureau of Reclamation.
Financial Impact
The City is proposing to contribute data and staff time over the term of the study. The City will not be providing any direct funding.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Environmental Quality and Sustainability Commission voted to approve City participation in this study at their June 8, 2017, meeting. This item was recommended by the Sustainability, Housing, Efficiency and Neighborhoods Subcommittee on June 20, 2017 by a vote of 3-0.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Office of Environmental Programs.