Forest board expects no adverse impact from runway plan on Waukegan Savanna

An ongoing federal review of a proposed 6,000-foot runway at Waukegan National Airport will include a finding by Lake County forest preserve commissioners that the project will not adversely affect the adjoining Waukegan Savanna.

As expected, the forest board Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a resolution indicating the project would have “de minimis” impact on a quarter acre of land the district has been asked to sell and about 18 acres requested as an easement.

The designation means that using the property “would not adversely affect the features, attributes or activities,” that qualify it for protection under federal law.

Several commissioners during a joint committee discussion last week supported the measure. A 14-3 vote Wednesday made it official.

Supporters emphasized that Wednesday’s vote dos not sell the property or grant an “avigation” easement to the Waukegan Port District, which owns and operates the airport.

Those questions will resurface for an official vote at a later date.

Opponents argued that a full environmental impact assessment should have been released and a public hearing held as required by federal law, before the forest board considered a de minimis finding.

They provided board members a lengthy letter from Jeffrey Smith, a self-described longtime environmental attorney from Evanston, warning that the process that federal law contemplates has not occurred.

Forest Commissioner John Wasik, one of three votes against, the measure Wednesday, noted that a final environmental assessment and public hearing had been promised.

“Our communities deserve it,” he said.

Forest district Executive Director Ty Kovach said he checked with the Federal Aviation Administration and was told the process had changed but was not provided the information in writing.

Another point of contention is the number of trees that might be lost. A district inventory showed a total of 800 trees — 627 considered high quality — in the easement or within five feet of the height threshold of the runway approach.

A port district consultant said more than 7 acres of trees within the easement would be removed but an exact number has not been identified.

“Those impacts involve forest, wetlands, a stream corridor, habitat and the future public experience of this preserve,” said Zion resident Doug Ower.

Forest officials say any removed trees will be replaced and the property restored to prairie that can be accessed by the public.

Supporters noted the original request to buy 52 acres has been reduced to a quarter acre and the original 1960s era 76-acre easement reduced to 18 acres.