Join the next Green Drinks gathering at Duke’s Alehouse & Kitchen, 110 N Main Street in Crystal Lake, on Wednesday, September 7th from 5:00-7:00 pm to learn more about how community members in southeastern McHenry County have been working together to help protect water quality in lakes, streams, and wetlands, and protect both the quality and quantity of groundwater resources needed for drinking water supply. This collaboration is part of an initiative to develop a watershed action plan for the Silver Creek and Sleepy Hollow Creek watersheds.
A watershed is an area of land that drains water into a common place, like a stream. Watershed planning is a collaborative, community supported approach to protecting water quality and watershed health. Lynn Rotunno, Watershed Coordinator for the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, will discuss how this planning effort is providing an opportunity for community members from multiple jurisdictions to share information and work together to address common water resource challenges in ways that more closely match the flow of water.
“Over 120 community members from across the watersheds are participating in this planning effort to help develop a watershed plan with strong community input,” said Defenders’ Watershed Coordinator Lynn Rotunno.
In addition to protecting water quality and quantity, watershed planning can identify ways to help restore aquatic habitat and other natural resources, prevent flooding in communities, and address other water resource-related concerns important to communities. The watershed action plan will include planning goals and specific project recommendations to protect water quality and watershed health. Projects identified in the plan can become eligible for state and federal funding to help local groups and individuals implement those projects.
Communities within the watersheds include Oakwood Hills, Prairie Grove, and portions of Bull Valley, Cary, Crystal Lake, McHenry, and nearby areas of unincorporated McHenry County. The Silver Creek and Sleepy Hollow Creek watersheds are home to significant resources, including five dedicated Illinois Nature Preserves, rich farmland, several parks and preserves, and lakes enjoyed by community members as a source of recreation. Both the Silver Creek and Sleepy Hollow Creek watersheds drain to the Fox River. Working to protect these watersheds will support local communities and help restore Fox River water quality and wildlife habitat.
Planning meetings are being held in the watersheds through December of 2011 and are coordinated by The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. All meetings are open to the public. For more information, visit http://foxriverecosystem.org/planning.htm, send an e-mail to watershedinfo@mcdefenders.net, or call the Defenders office at 815-338-0393.
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 (CMAP). 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.
To be added to our email list, send a note to: GreenDrinks@mcdefenders.net or friend us on FaceBook
A watershed is an area of land that drains water into a common place, like a stream. Watershed planning is a collaborative, community supported approach to protecting water quality and watershed health. Lynn Rotunno, Watershed Coordinator for the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, will discuss how this planning effort is providing an opportunity for community members from multiple jurisdictions to share information and work together to address common water resource challenges in ways that more closely match the flow of water.
“Over 120 community members from across the watersheds are participating in this planning effort to help develop a watershed plan with strong community input,” said Defenders’ Watershed Coordinator Lynn Rotunno.
In addition to protecting water quality and quantity, watershed planning can identify ways to help restore aquatic habitat and other natural resources, prevent flooding in communities, and address other water resource-related concerns important to communities. The watershed action plan will include planning goals and specific project recommendations to protect water quality and watershed health. Projects identified in the plan can become eligible for state and federal funding to help local groups and individuals implement those projects.
Communities within the watersheds include Oakwood Hills, Prairie Grove, and portions of Bull Valley, Cary, Crystal Lake, McHenry, and nearby areas of unincorporated McHenry County. The Silver Creek and Sleepy Hollow Creek watersheds are home to significant resources, including five dedicated Illinois Nature Preserves, rich farmland, several parks and preserves, and lakes enjoyed by community members as a source of recreation. Both the Silver Creek and Sleepy Hollow Creek watersheds drain to the Fox River. Working to protect these watersheds will support local communities and help restore Fox River water quality and wildlife habitat.
Planning meetings are being held in the watersheds through December of 2011 and are coordinated by The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. All meetings are open to the public. For more information, visit http://foxriverecosystem.org/planning.htm, send an e-mail to watershedinfo@mcdefenders.net, or call the Defenders office at 815-338-0393.
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 (CMAP). 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.
To be added to our email list, send a note to: GreenDrinks@mcdefenders.net or friend us on FaceBook
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