McHenry residents invited to watershed planning meeting

Submitted by Environmental Defenders of McHenry County

Community members in the southeastern McHenry County will meet from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, to review a draft watershed plan developed to help protect water quality and watershed health in the Silver Creek and Sleepy Hollow Creek watersheds.

Community members are encouraged to attend and participate. The meeting will be held at the Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Rd., Crystal Lake. To RSVP by Nov. 29, email watershedinfo@mcdefenders.net or call (815) 338-0393. The plan is scheduled to be completed by the end of December.

A watershed is an area of land that drains water into a common place like a stream. Watershed planning is a voluntary, collaborative approach to protecting and improving water quality in lakes and streams, addressing groundwater protections, restoring healthy aquatic life, preventing community flooding, and other water resource concerns important to local communities.

The Silver Creek and Sleepy Hollow Creek watersheds are located 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.

This meeting is coordinated by The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. Community members who live, work, or play in these watersheds are invited to attend and participate in this local planning opportunity.

Community members that are not available to attend the meeting are encouraged to contact EDMC at watershedinfo@mcdefenders.net or (815) 338-0393 to learn more and provide input. More information on this planning initiative is also available at foxriverecosystem.org/planning.htm.

This planning project is 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, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of our natural environment. For information about programs and membership, visit www.mcdef.org or email to mcdef@owc.net.