Explanation
The Ohio State University (OSU) proposes to conduct a Priority I Market Feasibility Study for a nutrient water quality trading program in the Upper Scioto River Watershed. The Department of Public Utilities, subject to the approval of the Columbus City Council, will provide $50,000 towards the 25% local funding match required under this funding opportunity. The Department is also prepared to provide in-kind services in support of the study. A brief discussion of the reasons for supporting OSU's grant application follows.
The City of Columbus, Department of Public Utilities is the regional wastewater and drinking water utility serving over one million people in Central Ohio. Columbus draws its drinking water from and discharges its wastewater to the Upper Scioto River Watershed. The Scioto River is a tributary of the Ohio River. The headwaters of the Upper Scioto are located in a major corn and soybean producing region. These agricultural activities are the source of most of the phosphorus and nitrogen loadings to the watershed and the resulting nutrient impairment of the Upper Scioto.
Ohio EPA is in the process of developing numeric water quality criteria for nutrients that will likely result in stringent water quality based and/or technology based phosphorus and nitrogen limits in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) permits for Columbus' wastewater treatment plants. Columbus' consulting engineers estimate that meeting the least stringent limits that may emerge from this process may require up to $385 million in new wastewater treatment infrastructure.
For a number of years, Columbus, as the regional drinking water utility in Central Ohio, has participated in local water quality partnerships that administer programs aimed at drinking water source protection. Columbus in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture ("USDA") has provided funding for USDA Environmental Quality Incentive Programs ("EQIP") and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Programs ("CREP") that pay farmers to engage in conservation land management practices that reduce nutrient run off. As a result, drinking water treatment costs at Columbus' drinking water treatment plants have been substantially reduced.
Given the substantial potential infrastructure costs associated with meeting expected nutrient limits and Columbus' continuing drinking water source protection efforts, Columbus is committed to determining whether a nutrient trading program in the Upper Scioto is feasible. A successful nutrient trading program in the Upper Scioto will provide a cost effective alternative to building additional wastewater treatment infrastructure, will enhance Columbus' source water protection efforts, and will result in greater overall water quality improvements in the watershed. In addition, a successful trading program in the Upper Scioto will contribute to the reduction of the hypoxia zone in the Gulf of Mexico.
This ordinance is requested to be considered an emergency measure to meet OSU's grant submission deadlines.
SUPPLIER: The Ohio State University - Non-Profit
FISCAL IMPACT: The Water, Sanitary Sewer and Stormwater enterprise operating budgets have sufficient appropriations to fund this request. Also, this ordinance authorizes the transfer of funds between Object Levels with Water System Operating Fund, to accommodate the expenditure authorized by this ordinance.
No similar expenditures in 2006 or 2007.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to participate with The Ohio State University (OSU) to conduct a Priority I Market Feasibility Study for a nutrient water quality trading program in the Upper Scioto River Watershed; to authorize and direct the City Auditor to transfer $16,667.00 between Object Levels within the Water System Operating Fund; and to authorize the expenditure of $50,000.00 from the Water, Sanitary Sewer and Stormwater operating funds, and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Division of Power and Water has a need to transfer $16,667.00 between Object Levels in the 2008 Water System Operating Fund's Budget. Funds for this transfer have been identified and are available in the Object Level One: 06; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio State University (OSU) proposes to conduct a Priority I Market Feasibility Study for a nutrient water quality trading program in the Upper Scioto River Watershed, and
WHEREAS, the Scioto River is a tributary of the Ohio River and the headwaters of the Upper Scioto are located in a major corn and soybean producing region. These agricultural activities are the source of most of the phosphorus and nitrogen loadings to the watershed and the resulting nutrient impairment of the Upper Scioto, and
WHEREAS, Ohio EPA is in the process of developing numeric water quality criteria for nutrients that will likely result in stringent water quality based and/or technology based phosphorus and nitrogen limits in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) permits for Columbus' wastewater treatment plants. Columbus' consulting engineers estimate that meeting the least stringent limits that may emerge from this process may require up to $385 million in new wastewater treatment infrastructure, and
WHEREAS, given the substantial potential infrastructure costs associated with meeting expected nutrient limits and Columbus' continuing drinking water source protection efforts, Columbus is committed to determining whether a nutrient trading program in the Upper Scioto is feasible, and
WHEREAS, a successful nutrient trading program in the Upper Scioto will provide a cost effective alternative to building additional wastewater treatment infrastructure, will enhance Columbus' source water protection efforts, and will result in greater overall water quality improvements in the watershed, and
WHEREAS, in order to meet grant submissions deadlines an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to participate with The Ohio State University (OSU) to conduct a Priority I Market Feasibility Study for a nutrient water quality trading program in the Upper Scioto River Watershed for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to participate with The Ohio State University (OSU) to conduct a Priority I Market Feasibility Study for a nutrient water quality trading program in the Upper Scioto River Watershed.
Section 2. That the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized and directed to transfer $16,667.00 between object levels within the 2008 Water System Operating Fund's Budget as follows:
From: Div.: 60-09| Fund: 600 | OCA Code: 602730 | Object Level One: 06| Object Level Three: 6000|
Amount: $16,667.00
To: Div.: 60-09| Fund: 600 | OCA Code: 601849| Object Level One: 03| Object Level Three: 3407|
Amount: $16,667.00
Section 3. That the expenditure of $16,667.00 be and the same hereby is authorized from Sewer System Operating Fund 650, Department No. 60-05, OCA Code 605006, Object Level Three 3407; the expenditure of $16,666.00 be and the same hereby is authorized from Storm Sewer Operating Fund 675, Department No. 60-15, OCA Code 675002, Object Level Three 3407; and the expenditure of $16,667.00 or as much as may be needed, and the same is hereby authorized from Water System Operating Fund 600, Department No. 60-09, OCA Code 601849, Object Level Three 3407 to cover the proportionate share of these services.
Section 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.