Groups to identify McHenry County watershed projects
Submitted by Environmental Defenders of McHenry County
On Tuesday, June 14, community members from southeastern McHenry County will work together to develop project and planning recommendations to protect local streams, lakes, groundwater, and other natural resources. The meeting is part of an initiative to develop a watershed action plan for the Silver Creek and Sleepy Hollow Creek watersheds in southeastern McHenry County.
A watershed is an area of land that drains water into a common receiving body or outlet such as a stream.
Watershed planning is a collaborative, locally supported approach to protecting and improving water quality in lakes and streams, addressing groundwater protections, restoring healthy aquatic habitat, preventing community flooding, and addressing other water resource-related concerns important for local communities.
Monthly meeting are being held throughout the watersheds and are coordinated by the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. Local community members are invited to participate at this meeting in order to help develop a watershed plan that reflects local water resource priorities and concerns.
In June, community members will work to identify specific projects to protect water quality and watershed health. Projects identified in the watershed plan can become eligible for state and federal grant funding to help local groups and individuals implement these projects.
Barb Lieberoff, environmental protections specialist with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, will present information on state and federal grant funding available to support implementation of watershed plan projects to protect and improve water quality.
The meeting will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 14 at the McHenry City Council Chambers, 333 S. Green St., McHenry. RSVP to watershedinfo@mcdefenders.net or call (815) 338-0393 by Friday, June 10.
Community members who are not available to attend this upcoming meeting are encouraged to contact the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County at watershedinfo@mcdefenders.net or call (815) 338-0393 to learn more and provide input. More information on this planning initiative also is available at foxriverecosystem.org/planning.htm. Additional meetings will be held monthly in the watersheds through December. All meetings are open to the public.
The Silver Creek and Sleepy Hollow Creek watersheds are within Oakwood Hills, Prairie Grove and portions of Bull Valley, Cary, Crystal Lake and McHenry. The watersheds also include portions of unincorporated McHenry County and are within Nunda and Algonquin townships.
The Silver Creek and Sleepy Hollow Creek watersheds are home to significant resources, including dedicated Illinois Nature Preserves, rare wetlands, rich farmland, dozens of parks, and several lakes enjoyed by community members as a source of recreation.
The streams in these watersheds drain to the Fox River, an important source of drinking water, community recreation, and wildlife habitat. Working to protect the Silver Creek and Sleepy Hollow Creek watersheds will support local communities and help restore Fox River water quality and wildlife habitat.
These planning projects are funded by Section 604(b) of the Clean Water Act by way of a grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Water, to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. Watershed planning oversight is the responsibility of CMAP. Planning Partners include the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, Fox River Ecosystem Partnership, and the Fox River Study Group.
The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a citizen-based, nonprofit organization, dedicated to the preservation and improvement of our natural environment. For information about programs and membership, visit mcdef.org or email to mcdef@owc.net.