Lake County could see green in floating bogs

Flood damages recorded at Chain O' Lakes State Park could be the monetary saving grace for Lake County.

Kent McKenzie, head of the Lake County Emergency Management Agency, said the floating bogs that have broken off and floated across the Chain O' Lakes have cost the Fox Waterway Agency and Illinois Department of Natural Resources a considerable amount of money to replace and stabilize.

He said the money spent could put the county above the threshold needed to appease officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and, in turn, have federal dollars given to the county for flooding expenses incurred since June 9.

McKenzie said he didn't know the exact amount of money the Fox Waterway Agency has spent to return the bogs, but, he said, about 20 acres of bogs have broken free of the state park and floated across the Chain over the past two weeks.

"Putting those bogs back and the damages done by the flood at the state park could really help us," McKenzie said. "It might put us over the top on their formula."

McKenzie said FEMA uses a formula to determine whether municipalities and counties are able to recoup money spent on natural disasters.

FEMA multiplies the amount of people in the county by $3.05, then compares it to the amount the county spent on flooding. He said if the county spends more than that threshold -- totaling more than $2 million -- on flooding, then there is a good chance the area will recoup the amount of money public entities spent to hold back floodwaters.

FEMA officials, however, said many factors are considered when determining if public assistance is needed for local governments and that numbers such as money spent and population are not the sole determinate because it would violate the federal disaster funding law.

Fox Lake Mayor Cindy Irwin said Monday the village has spent about $300,000 to offset rising floodwaters since August 2007.

"We cant afford this," she said. "But it's something we will do. We will spend whatever we have to keep water at bay."

Floodwaters have dropped significantly on the Chain O' Lakes around Fox Lake, officials said. They are about one foot over flood stage and 6 inches past the point of damaging homes.

At its peak, though, more than 400 homes and businesses were hurt by high floodwaters in Lake County along the Fox River and Chain.

County officials estimate about 100 homes received direct damages, while an additional 300 homes had water on their property or in their septic and well systems.

Irwin said the village will spend as much as it needs to ensure homes and residents are safe.

"If we get it back from the government, then I'll look at it like it's a Christmas present," she said.