Alana Bartolai, B.S., M.S., Ecological Services Program Coordinator
Alana is originally from Lake County, Illinois. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Geology from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota and her Master's Degree in Water Resources Science from the University of Minnesota with an emphasis in Limnology. She has worked on water quality monitoring and watershed outreach projects in Wyoming, Northern California, and Minnesota. Alana currently lives in Libertyville and enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time outdoors with her dog, Kota.
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Gerard Urbanozo, B.S., Water Quality Specialist
Gerard, originally from the Philippines, received his Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. His background is in fisheries and he worked for Red Cliff Fish Hatchery in Bayfield, Wisconsin. Gerard worked as an Environmental Health Practitioner since 2007 with the Lake County Health Department. Currently Gerard and his wife Christine reside in Beach Park. Gerard enjoys hunting, fishing and working as a Charter Captain on Lake Michigan on the weekends.
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James Fitzgerald, B.S., Water Quality Specialist
James is originally from DuPage County, Illinois and received his Bachelors in Natural Resources from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. His background is in fisheries where he worked on lakes, streams and reservoirs in over 15 states. James’ professional interests include Fisheries Ecology and Management, Aquatic Invasive Species, and Terrestrial Plant Management. Currently James and his son reside in Kenosha. James enjoys hunting, fishing, and watching his son play sports and catch fish on the weekends.
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Salt from a parking lot in Lake County
In a new study from our neighbors to the north at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, it was found that over a million tons of salt are flowing into Lake Michigan each year, and the concentration of salt is increasing.
Researchers examined past and current water data on the amount of salt flowing into the lake from 234 rivers and streams, according to Hilary Dugan, the study's lead author and assistant professor for the Center for Limnology at UW-Madison.
"There's a tremendous amount of salt going into the lake each year," said Dugan. "But because of the volume of Lake Michigan, that concentration is still pretty low."
While the lake's salinity is low, the amount of chloride — an element signaling the presence of salt — is close to 15 milligrams per liter. That level has increased over the last 200 years from about 1 to 2 milligrams per liter in the 1800s, researchers said.
Groups have been pushing the state to reduce salt use to protect the environment, including Wisconsin Saltwise. "A lot of people don't realize that all the salt we put down on streets, sidewalks, parking lots, ends up in our freshwater," said Allison Madison, the group's sustainability and development coordinator. "Shovel first. Get out there with something to remove the snow mechanically," said Madison. "Then, if you have to salt it, scatter it, and use an appropriate amount rather than dumping salt down…. One 12-ounce mug of salt is enough for a 20-foot driveway."
The full article by Danielle Kaeding can be found on Wisconsin Public Radio.
Winter Salt Watch Kit
Thanks to the Izaak Walton League of America you can help track salt concentrations in your local waterbody and have the data entered in a national data base. If you are interested, you can email jfitzgerald2@lakecountyil.gov and we will sent a kit to you. Your kit will include four test strips so you can test your waterway throughout the season. You'll also receive a chart to help you interpret your results and a postcard with instructions for completing a Salt Watch test and reporting your findings.
The Illinois Lake Management Association and Illinois Chapter of the American Fisheries Society are hosting a joint Annual Conference at the I Hotel & Conference Center in Champaign, Illinois from March 16th through March 19th, 2022.
https://ilma-lakes.org/conference-registration
Virtual Presentation; Aquatic Plant Management for Lake Owners
March 24th, 2022 at noon. Water Quality Specialists Gerard Urbanozo and James Fitzgerald will speak about Aquatic Plants and their management in Lake County. If you are interested attending, please email jfitzgerald2@lakecountyil.gov.
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 The Burbot (Lota Lota) spawns in winter in large groups. It can be found in Lake Michigan and streams. It prefers colder water where it eats fish and crayfish. The burbot looks similar to the Bowfin and Snakehead pictured above, but can be distinguished by the two dorsal fins, and single whisker or barbel on its chin.
We will once again be hiring seasonal help this summer to help with our ecological program. These positions are ideal for college students who are interested in water quality positions. We have three positions available:
Our Team
Alana Bartolai, Ecological Services Program Coordinator
James Fitzgerald, Water Quality Specialist
Gerard Urbanozo, Water Quality Specialist
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