DuPage County Stormwater Management News & Updates

DuPage County, Illinois sent this bulletin at 06/26/2024 09:01 AM CDT

June 2024                                                                                                                                     View this email in your browser
DuPage County Currents

SWM, FPDDC Host Exclusive Tour of Churchill Woods Restoration Project

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Participants listen in as SWM Director Sarah Hunn and Wetlands Supervisor Jenna Fahey describe the removal of the dam and wetland restoration within the Churchill Woods Forest Preserve.

Earlier this month, SWM hosted their first-ever public tour of the Churchill Woods Forest Preserve, sharing a new perspective on the popular destination. In 2010, SWM began a project to remove the dam along the East Branch DuPage River and restore the preserve to a more natural state, which meant turning much of the old fishing ponds back into wetlands. In collaboration with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and the Conservation Foundation, participants learned directly from SWM staff who had worked on the project over a decade ago! Forest Preserve staff also spoke on the restoration work they continue to this day, much of it with the help of volunteers. The tour was quite successful with lots of great engagement from attendees, and more tours of SWM projects around the County will likely be planned in the future!

DuPage County Receives Upgraded Community Rating System (CRS) Score

DuPage County received a new CRS rating from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) this year, which means a bigger discount on flood insurance for unincorporated residents. The Community Rating System program recognizes local floodplain and stormwater management efforts across the country and grades communities on a scale of 1-10. The lower the number, the greater the corresponding cost in flood insurance premiums. DuPage County's rating has gone to a 5 from a 6, the highest rating of all counties in Illinois. This translates to a 25% discount for unincorporated residents. The County received its first CRS rating in 2018, spearheaded by the Building & Zoning Department with assistance from SWM.

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Main Street Flood Storage Facility in Lisle Nearing Substantial Completion

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V3 Construction crew install an asphalt pedestrian path around the Main Street Flood Storage Facility.

The County's fourth major ARPA Project, the Main Street Flood Storage Facility in Lisle, is now one big step away from completion. The low bid contractor V3 Construction Corporation has finished construction of a concrete spillway and pedestrian path around the detention area late last week. Final restoration is all that remains for the project, which will include native plant seeding and the installation of nearly 150 trees and shrubs. The $2.2 million project is expected to provide over 2.9 million gallons of floodwater capacity to mitigate the effects of flooding along St. Joseph Creek.

Around Town

SWM hosted a large production company at the Elmhurst Quarry earlier this month for filming of an undisclosed TV show. SWM supervised the operation the entire day to ensure safety of the cast, crew and Quarry facility. The unique and dramatic landscape of the Quarry make it a popular site for TV and film production, including shows like Chicago P.D. and various pilots. We will share details of the show once it releases, so you can catch the Quarry on the big screen!

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TV network cast and crew set up a production on the edge of the Elmhurst Quarry.

Upcoming Events

Bensenville Public Works Open House

Saturday, July 13, 2024, 10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

Join Bensenville Public Works for a unique experience allowing you to get a behind-the-scenes look at the skills, tools, and equipment required to maintain the village's infrastructure! At this family fun-filled event, you can participate in activities and visit booths about Forestry, Streets, Water, Fleet and Building Services, Wastewater, Stormwater, Engineering, and Emergency Management.

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DuPage County Fair STEM-a-Palooza

Thursday, July 25 - Sunday, July 28, 2024, All Day

In partnership with SWM, SCARCE is hosting STEM-a-Palooza at the DuPage County Fair! Check out over 3,700 square feet of fun, hands-on environmental activities and make-and-take crafts that bring science, technology, engineering and math to life. SWM staff will also host an interactive booth for children and adults alike. Located at the DuPage County Fairgrounds (2015 Manchester Rd., Wheaton), access is included with Fair admission

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Conservation@Home DuPage Garden Tour

Saturday, July 27, 2024, 11:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

What do you get when you cross stunning landscapes with sustainable living? The Conservation Foundation’s Conservation@Home Garden Showcase! Join us on this self-guided garden tour and be inspired by our community’s beautiful eco-friendly gardens featuring a wide variety of native plants, water-smart gardening techniques, valuable wildlife habitats — even edible gardens! The Conservation@Home program was developed to help homeowners enhance biodiversity in their own yards which in turn supports our greater ecosystem. Throughout our showcase garden tour, we are specifically featuring DuPage County yards in order to celebrate where the program was born and continues to flourish. Be ready to get motivated to kickstart your own journey towards a greener lifestyle!

Those who register for the showcase will be emailed a detailed map outlining each of our featured yards. You can then choose which gardens you’d like to visit during our designated 11:00am — 2:00pm timeframe.

Register Here