Meeting seeks input on local water issues

Anyone interested in sharing information and ideas to address local water quality and water resource issues is invited to attend the first stakeholder meeting for the Fox River-Jelkes Creek Watershed.

The Kane-DuPage Soil and Water Conservation District will host the meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, at the Sleepy Hollow Village Hall, 1 Thorobred Lane in Sleepy Hollow.

A watershed is the land area that drains to a single body of water. Within a watershed, water runs to the lowest point such as a stream, river or lake. On its way, water seeps into the ground or travels over suburban lawns, city streets, farm fields and natural areas.

The Fox River-Jelkes Creek Watershed is located mainly in northern Kane County but also includes small portions of McHenry, and Cook counties. Communities within the planning area include Elgin, Carpentersville, East Dundee, West Dundee, and Sleepy Hollow.

The watershed planning process gives community members an opportunity to provide input on local water issues that will be considered in the development of a watershed plan. Once completed, the watershed plan will identify priority projects to improve water quality within the watershed.

Participation from citizens, agencies, organizations, businesses, resource professionals and elected officials will be needed to create a comprehensive watershed plan for the area.

Additional meetings will be held. Those who would like to attend should contact Candice Jacobs at (630) 584-7961, ext. 3.