The following suggested implementation plan is provided to guide completion of the recommended plan components. The items are listed in the recommended order of priority. Item 3 is the biggest part of the proposed plan. It includes Recommended Plan Component 1 as presented in the previous chapter.
Update information is provided in bold italics with the date of that update in parentheses.
The existing stormwater and floodplain ordinances for Tipton County and the Town of Tipton need to be updated to include several “no adverse impact” provisions to insure flood damages are not increased and that the positive effect of other recommended plan components are not lost. In addition, it is critical that City and County officials strictly enforce these updated stormwater management and floodplain ordinances to prevent further increases in potential flood damages in the watershed. All future proposed construction should be forced to meet all requirements of the ordinances to include on-site detention necessary to reduce future-condition flow rates, i.e., no direct release, and no net loss of floodplain storage due to development. Future proposed construction such as bridges should also not increase flood elevations of any frequency flood. This component should be implemented immediately.
A set of stormwater technical standards has been developed for the watershed. The Board has approved these standards for use throughout the watershed. A copy is available for download from the Big Cicero Creek Watershed web site home page. (March 2008)
In addition to the FEMA FIS maps, the floodplain mapping from this study could be made available to the City and the County to use as an aid in keeping construction out of the floodplain.
Documentation and floodway modeling requirements for submitting the modeling from this report as well as the additional study downstream to Morse Reservoir is in progress. IDNR is aware of the study reach and plans to incorporate it in their map modernization program efforts for Tipton County. (May 2008)
The following actions would be required to complete this component:
a. Funding Analysis and Plan
In order to manage the anticipated costs associated with the construction of the Channel Improvement project and to assure the timely availability of funds for project completion, a funding plan should be prepared. The noted funding plan should examine the benefits of completing the project. This data may be available for promotion of the project to the public or for further refinement and use by the Big Cicero Creek Joint Drainage Board. It is anticipated that this plan element would be performed primarily by the Board or their designated funding consultant. This analysis and plan may incorporate some of the following tasks.
- Coordinate the refinement of anticipated project costs with engineering staff.
- Determine the availability of funds for the project.
- Examine funding needs and timing of available funds.
- If private funds or donation of services and/or land easements are to be used in completing the project and associated goals, then formalization of these commitments should be pursued.
- Formal applications and support documentation for non-local funds should be pursued.
It is anticipated that the funding would come from increases in the assessments charged to land owners within the watershed. This could be done for up to eight years to accumulate money for the project. Future costs of construction would have to be factored in if construction is to be postponed until sufficient funds can be accumulated.
The Board has hired CBBEL to determine graded project benefit levels for use in determining assessments for the project. These levels would allow the Board to vary assessments based on “more” or “less” benefit expected to be received by the project. Thus those who receive more benefit would bear a larger portion of the costs and those who receive less benefit would contribute a smaller portion of the cost. This analysis has been completed. The Board will be sending out reconstruction assessment hearing notices in the near future. (November 2008)
Other potential sources of funding to deal with various aspects of the flood mitigation aspects include the following. A community can contact the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Mitigation branch about available monies. Some of the funds are disaster declaration driven. Other funds are available to communities with all hazard mitigation plans. There has been at least one County that applied for money from the riverboat funds at the State that were used for buyouts of floodprone property. The Department of Commerce may also be developing a program that would make monies available for communities as well.
b. Detailed Survey and Data Acquisition
In order to develop design plans and final construction drawings, detailed survey data of the selected project sites and adjacent areas need to be collected. This survey would be of a detailed level adequate for the remaining tasks relating to the project. Completed. (November 2008)
c. Negotiation and Acquisition of Easements
The easements required for construction must be acquired. This should be done before initiating detailed design activities. This step can be started after some initial work in developing design plans determines a preferred side for construction. (November 2008)
d. Design Plan Development
Upon the Drainage Board’s approval of project concepts and availability of detailed survey information, design plans in sufficient detail would need to be produced for the ultimate submittal to the IDNR and other regulatory agencies. Preliminary project details and specifications would also be generated as necessary for agency submittal. The Board has hired CBBEL to complete the design plans. 50% Plans are complete. (November 2008)
e. Hydrologic and Hydraulic Evaluation of Proposed Project
The results of the modeling developed by CBBEL for the alternatives analysis would need to be refined to reflect the project design plans. Refinements must be made to reflect the specific site characteristics and their effects on the hydrologic and hydraulic modeling previously developed, and to finalize the parameters needed for design. This will be done in conjunction with Design Plan Development as described above. (November 2008)
f. Construction Permit Submittals
The proposed project incorporates engineering and environmental factors which would require the review of the construction to assure acceptability to the applicable state and federal review agencies. It is assumed for the implementation plan that local approval of the project is granted due to Board sponsorship. Other agency submittals will require varied information depending on the particular agency and submittals will be made at varied times. Each of the anticipated primary permits is outlined within this plan. Wetland investigation of the site was completed by CBBEL in July of 2008. The early coordination meeting with IDNR, IDEM and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service was held in September of 2008. Permit requirements noted at this meeting are being incorporated into the plans (November 2008).
1. IDNR Construction in a Floodway Permit Application
This permit would be required to evaluate the project’s impact on the conveyance of flood flows and to ensure the project will not impact persons, property, or the environment as stated in the 1945 Flood Control Act, as amended.
2. US Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 Waters of the United States, Wetland Permit
The channel construction will likely fall under USACE jurisdiction and require a permit under Section 404.
3. Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Section 401, Water Quality Certification and Rule 5 Permit
This project will likely require a Section 401 Water Quality Certification and Rule 5 Permit from the IDEM.
g. Permit Review Coordination
This component would consist of tracking the advancement of permit applications through the permit review process. During this period, any concerns or questions regarding the project from the agencies will be addressed. Reports of project status, and any potential amendments to the plan will be documented and coordinated with the City during this period.
h. Preparation of Construction Drawings, Specifications, and Bid Documents
Some of work to be completed during this period would include the following.
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Development of final construction drawings based on detailed design plans that include grading, erosion control, structural plans, and associated details and specifications.
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Bid documents would need to be prepared in order to put the project to bid.
i. Acquire Contractor Bids
The final design plans, specifications, and bid documents would need to be submitted for bid. This task would be coincidental with several other implementation tasks. It is anticipated that a standard bid process would be undertaken.
j. Project Construction
After awarding the contract, issuance of all applicable permits, securing of funds, and any other required tasks are performed, the City may issue notice to proceed to the contractor. Construction of the project is anticipated to have inspection by the City or their designee to assure compliance with the proposed design.
k. Public Information Meetings
To allow public input and to describe the project to applicable elected officials, meetings regarding the project plan, design, construction, agency qualification or related project elements may be part of the implementation plan. These tasks would need to be implemented throughout the project.
