Forest district owes thanks to Quinn

Forest district owes thanks to Quinn

On behalf of the residents of DuPage County, I would like to thank Gov. Quinn and the state of Illinois for recently awarding millions in grants for stormwater-management and water-quality-improvement projects at two DuPage County forest preserves.

Gov. Quinn's commitment to conservation and the environment has strengthened this district's ability to ensure several natural resource projects are able to advance.

All residents of DuPage County are certain to benefit from the funding the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County will receive from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's Illinois Green Infrastructure Grant program and Illinois Jobs Now.

With that money the district will be able to create 33 new acres of stormwater storage areas at Oak Meadows Golf Course in Addison. When completed, the project will also improve the overall quality of the Salt Creek ecosystem - and the wildlife that relies on it - by creating 30 acres of wetlands and enhancing 67 acres of surrounding habitat.

And thanks to the nonprofit DuPage River Salt Creek Work Group, the funding that it is receiving from the two state programs will not only supplement our funds for Oak Meadows but also allow us to remove a low-head dam on the West Branch of the DuPage River at McDowell Grove Forest Preserve, which will increase water flow and improve conditions for native fish by allowing them to again move upstream.

The forest preserve district remains committed to improving the quality of local waterways and alleviating flooding for neighbors of the county's great open spaces. And thanks to Gov. Quinn and the state of Illinois, this district can advance these initiatives.

D. "Dewey" Pierotti Jr.

Addison

President, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County