Click for a larger view
The North Mill Creek/Dutch Gap Canal watershed planning committee is focusing on flooding and flood damage at its next meeting on Wed., Jan. 26, 6-8 p.m. at the Lake Villa Public Library, 1001 E. Grand Ave., Lake Villa, IL.
Flooding and flood damage are identified as issues in the watershed and will be the topic of discussion at the meeting. SMC will present information gathered through resident surveys, floodplain studies, and correspondence with communities about flooding. Since the watershed plan will address the flooding issues as well as identify practices, projects, and programs that can help to prevent and reduce flood damage, SMC will be looking to the stakeholders and community members for information to help enhance information gathered to date and to recommend action items for inclusion in the plan.
Bristol is included in the watershed, though most of the designated area is in Illinois.
The meeting is part of a continuing effort by SMC to reach across state lines and bring stakeholders together to develop a bi-state watershed-based plan. Stakeholder involvement is key to the success of any planning initiative. This is an opportunity for landowners, townships, villages, park districts/departments, the counties of Lake and Kenosha, Lake County Forest Preserve District, farm community, state agencies, non-profit organizations, private landowners and other stakeholders in the watershed to coordinate land and water protection and management activities for the benefit of all watershed residents.
Since February 2010, stakeholders from all of these groups have identified issues and opportunities in the watershed, developed a vision statement for how they see the watershed in the future, and identified goals that they want the watershed plan to address. As the stakeholder meetings continue, the group will continue to collaborate on a mission statement, plan objectives, and sharing information about the watershed. Education is also a key element to the meetings, and 2011 meeting topics will focus on water quality, funding opportunities, and best management practices.
The watershed plan, funded by a grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, is expected to be completed by July 2011. In addition to flooding, the watershed plan will look to address poor water quality and identify the high quality natural resources that need to be protected in the watershed as the land continues to develop. To do this, the watershed plan will identify practices, projects and programs that can be implemented by watershed residents, farmers, businesses, and community stakeholders to:
- Prevent and reduce flood damage.
- Improve water quality in streams, lakes and wetlands.
- Protect and enhance the watershed’s natural resources.
- Identify desirable green infrastructure areas to maintain open space for flood damage prevention, water quality protection, recreation and education.
SMC encourages you to join and assist them in this planning process so that your community and/or organizational needs are adequately represented in the watershed plan.
You can follow the planning process, view meeting documents, and view meeting announcements at www.lakecountyil.gov/Stormwater/LakeCountyWatersheds/NorthMill.htm or contact Patty Werner pwerner@lakecountyil.gov at 847-377-7717.
