Water Resources Staff recommends that the Mayor and Aldermen of Savannah authorize the City Manager to execute the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the City of Savannah and Chatham County for participation in the “County Wide Canal Maintenance Program”.

This IGA serves as a continuation of an existing IGA between Chatham County and the City of Savannah from October 2020 which formalizes a cooperative effort between the two parties to support the maintenance of major canals located within the City limits of Savannah.  Recognizing the shared interest in effective stormwater management and flood mitigation, the County desires the continuation of the terms of the existing 2020 Agreement to provide the designated services to the City through this program.

Proposed Work:

The County will provide services that include the following:

• Annual canal cleaning (removal of silt, debris, and vegetation)

• Application of herbicides to reduce aquatic growth

• Mowing of canal slopes and access roads three times annually during the growing season

County Responsibilities:

The County will provide all labor, equipment, and materials for cleaning, herbicide application, and mowing. Work will be conducted at no cost to the City. The County is responsible for damages to utilities during operations and will follow applicable utility location laws.

City Responsibilities:

The City will maintain clear access to canal maintenance roads, manage gate access, and provide sites for the disposal of removed materials in accordance with applicable Georgia Environmental Protection Division guidelines.

Approval