Lake County officials looking for more ways to go green
Already advocates of environmental conservation, Lake County Board members and administrators are taking steps to be even greener.
Staffers have developed a strategy to help make the county more ecologically sensitive through short- and long-term actions. Reducing pollution, increasing recycling and reducing the county's impact on natural resources are among the guiding principles of the effort, which Assistant County Administrator Amy McEwan unveiled Friday.
Educating residents, business owners and local workers about environmentally friendly lifestyles and increasing public awareness of conservation-related activities, also are key steps.
"Our residents and businesses need to partner with us," McEwan told the board during its monthly committee-of-the-whole meeting in Libertyville.
The report was drafted by a staff committee formed last year after the board formally pledged to be a leader in environmental stewardship.
The team examined the benefits of environmental conservation and actions the county government already has taken.
For example, energy-saving elements typically are added to designs for new county facilities. Energy-efficient windows and insulation have been added to existing and new buildings, too.
But the board has also passed on some pro-environment proposals, such as spending more than $600,000 for ecologically minded architectural and construction work at a planned central permitting facility in Libertyville. Critics assailed that plan last year as a luxury and a status symbol.
The green team also assessed environmental policies at other agencies as part of developing the guidelines.
"Everyone's on a different level, as far as how green they want to be," McEwan said.
Lake County Board member Pam Newton, an outspoken advocate of environmental conservancy, praised the effort.
"This is absolutely the start we need to take," said Newton, a Long Grove Republican. "This is a really important step."
Fellow board member Brent Paxton was a bit more cautious. Partnering with the community is fine, he said, but he doesn't want county officials to force residents to participate.
"That's a line we want to be careful of," said Paxton, a Zion Republican.
To prevent unfair public mandates, officials will evaluate proposals individually, Lake County Administrator Barry Burton said.
A list of the county government's environmentally friendly projects will be on its official Web site, www.co.lake.il.us, McEwan said. A video about the program is being prepared for the county-owned cable TV station, too.
Going green
Lake County officials have drafted a strategy to help make the county more ecologically sensitive through short- and long-term actions. The report, unveiled Friday, lists goals for eight categories:
Air: Maintain clean, healthy air and contribute to regional air pollution solutions.
Ecosytems: Protect and restore ecosystems and their functions.
Energy: Maximize energy efficiency and purchase renewable sources of energy where practical. Generate energy as opportunities present themselves.
Land: Maintain and enhance open space as we continue to develop, redevelop and expand the community. Support ecologically sensitive land use and management practices.
Materials: Use and reuse raw and purchased materials carefully and responsively. Shift to environmentally friendly (biodegradable or recyclable) materials wherever feasible.
Water supply: Ensure availability of adequate water supplies for all desired uses, including fire suppression and commercial uses.
Water quality: Restore and maintain high-quality water resources in the county's watersheds. Fully implement effective and efficient water quality practices and storm water management controls.
Economy: Support the area's green economy by ensuring costs of water, sewer, solid waste, energy and materials are as low as feasible.
Source: Lake County administrator's office