DuPage County Stormwater Management News & Updates

DuPage County, Illinois sent this bulletin at 03/29/2017 08:04 AM CDT

March 2017                                                                                                                              View this email in your browser
DuPage County Currents

Stormwater Management Releases 2016 Annual Report

March1
SWM's 2016 Annual Report includes information on the West Branch West Branch DuPage River projects.

DuPage County Stormwater Management (SWM) released its 2016 Annual Report in early March. The report details a number of important initiatives SWM accomplished in 2016, ranging from capital projects protecting homes and businesses from flooding to water quality studies helping to preserve natural resources to floodplain map updates ensuring property owners are informed of their flood risk. Notably, SWM completed construction of the final phase of the West Branch DuPage River Flood Mitigation and Restoration Project and entered into a multi-agency Watershed Protection Agreement.

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Residents Encouraged to Utilize Sustainable Lawn Care Practices

March3

Spring is a time to begin thinking about lawn care and home improvement projects. Small changes to normal routines can improve the quality of DuPage County waterways by minimizing pollutants in stormwater runoff.

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SWM, Elmhurst Complete Quarry Project

March
(Left to right) Elmhurst Mayor Morley, DuPage Stormwater Chairman Zay and County Board Chairman Cronin overlook the project.

In partnership with SWM, the City of Elmhurst recently completed a flood control project at the Elmhurst Quarry Flood Control Facility. To protect 76 nearby homes from localized flooding, the city installed a 72-inch storm sewer that drains into the Quarry. The County provided 20 acre-feet - or 6.5 million gallons - of floodwater detention within the Quarry for the project.

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SWM Awards Grant Recipients

The DuPage County Stormwater Management Planning Committee awarded the 2017 recipients of the County’s Water Quality Improvement Program grant in March. Of the 14 applications received, the Committee awarded a total of nearly $280,000 to five projects throughout the County, all of which aim to improve the quality of the County’s streams and rivers.

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Around Town

Following a deadly tornado in Ottawa at the end of February, DuPage County sent crews and equipment to help with cleanup efforts. Crews from DuPage County's departments of Stormwater Management, Public Works and Transportation brought heavy equipment, including a crane truck, dump truck and tree chipper, to help the City of Ottawa and LaSalle County in cleaning up downed trees and other debris after a tornado tore through the city and surrounding areas southwest of DuPage County.

March2
DuPage crews assist with Ottawa cleanup.

Upcoming Events

Sustainable Design Challenge

Tuesday, April 4, 2017, 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.

DuPage County and SCARCE are celebrating the 11th anniversary of the Sustainable Design Challenge, which promotes environmental and stormwater education in local high schools. Students from DuPage County high schools and middle schools will display their innovative and resilient building and landscape designs to the public on the third floor of DuPage County's Administration Building (421 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton, IL).

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Salt Creek Watershed Workshop

Thursday, April 13, 2017, 8:00 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.

DuPage County Stormwater Management and The Conservation Foundation are hosting a free breakfast workshop for organizations and individuals concerned with protecting the Salt Creek Watershed. Speakers will discuss the development of water quality-based watershed plans and Illinois EPA grant funded projects. It will be held at the Addison Villages Offices (One Friendship Plaza, Addison).

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Wetland Delineation Course

Monday, July 24 - Thursday, July 27, 2017

This course will introduce students will be introduced to the basic concepts and methods of wetland delineation with both lectures and field exercises. Instructors will guide students through the delineation steps at several sites and offer opportunities for students to practice their skills in groups. Held in Lake County, the course costs $950, which includes all course materials and textbooks.

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