The North Branch Chicago River Watershed Workgroup (NBWW) anticipates the regulatory need to develop a Nutrient Assessment Reduction Plan (NARP) Workplan by December 31, 2021 and a NARP by December 31, 2024. The NARP is a requirement in the Special Conditions of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) discharge permits for major publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) in Illinois. In addition, Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) in the watershed have nutrient-related conditions in their general permits, specifically requiring that they provide a schedule for implementing waste load allocation provisions and other nutrients of total maximum daily loads (TMDLs). The purpose of the NARP is to identify phosphorus input reductions from point sources, non-point sources and other measures needed in the North Branch Chicago River watershed (See Appendix A for a map of the North Branch Chicago River watershed area) to help ensure that dissolved oxygen and offensive aquatic algae and aquatic plant criteria are met.

The NBWW is requesting a proposal from qualified interested firms to prepare a Preliminary NARP Workplan. The NBWW intends to utilize the Preliminary NARP Workplan to plan and budget for the multi-year development and completion of a NBWW NARP to meet the regulatory deadline of December 31, 2024.