Fox River group to discuss Phase I of watershed project

The Fox River Ecosystem Partnership will host a bimonthly FREP Noon Network from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, Shelter 1, 37W370 Dean St., St. Charles.

Ken Anderson, manager in the Kane County Subdivision & Special Projects Division, will discuss Phase I of a multi-phased program to create uninterrupted fish passage throughout 44 miles of stream habitat in the Ferson Creek watershed. Weather permitting, the group will take a hike to view part of the project. Attendees are asked to dress accordingly.

The primary objective for Phase I is to remove the impassable dam at Creek Bend Forest Preserve and to modify one low-water barrier located downstream of Creek Bend in order to open 6.3 miles of lower Ferson-Otter Creek to the Fox River.

Completion of Phase I will allow these projects to serve as models for low-cost stream restoration and foster cooperation for the watershed wide approach. Phase I will also include evaluation of the fish community response.

The event is co-sponsored by the Ferson-Otter Creek Watershed Planning Group, currently developing a plan to help protect water quality and watershed health in the Ferson Creek and Otter Creek watersheds in Kane County.

A watershed is an area of land that drains water into a common receiving body such as a stream. The watershed planning activities are being 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. To learn more, visit foxriverecosystem.org/planning.htm.

The program is open to the public and is one of the regular bimonthly FREP Noon Network lunchtime programs providing an opportunity for FREP members and other interested people to discuss Fox River Watershed-related topics and learn more about environmental projects and programs.

There is no charge and reservations are not necessary. People are welcome to bring their lunch to eat during the program.

The Fox River Ecosystem Partnership, established in 1997, is one of 41 ecosystem partnerships in the state under the auspices of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The Partnership's territory is the entire Fox River Watershed, covering 1,720 square miles situated within the counties of Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, Lee, McHenry and Will.

FREP membership includes individuals, governments, organizations and businesses that meet regularly “to promote, preserve, protect and enhance the natural, cultural, economic and recreational resources of Illinois' Fox River and its watershed.”

Shelter 1 is at the north end of the forest preserve. Enter off Dean Street and follow the road back past Pioneer Sholes School and Durant-Peterson House and around the curve to the right. In case of inclement weather at noon, the alternative meeting site will be at Kane-DuPage Soil & Water Conservation District offices, east of LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 2315 Dean St., St. Charles.

For information about this program and the Fox River Ecosystem Partnership, visit foxriverecosystem.org.