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The Lake County Stormwater Management Newsletter - May 2024

Help SMC Prepare for Our Tomorrow!

Countywide Request for Proposals Opens Soon!

The Lake County Stormwater Management (SMC) will begin accepting project proposals and stream maintenance requests for Fiscal Year 2025 in June. Project proposals and maintenance requests must be received by September 13, 2024. SMC's Watershed Project Managers look forward to working with you! Check out SMC's Request for Proposals & Bids webpage for more information. 

Interagency Coastal Wetlands Workgroup Findings Made Available To Help Reduce Coastal Wetland Loss

Provided by the Interagency Coastal Wetlands Workgroup (ICWWG), the report provides eight in-depth qualitative case studies of local wetland protections from coastal communities across the country. It presents voluntary recommendations that aim to reduce and reverse the loss of wetlands in coastal watersheds.

Each case study provides a community overview, describes the local wetland protections, the relationship between local protections and state/federal regulations, the history and implementation of these protections, information on impacts of the local wetland protections on both wetlands and the local community, lessons learned, and future directions for wetland protections. The Summary of Findings section provides key takeaways and overall themes observed.

The intent of the report is to foster cooperation and build capacity to reduce coastal wetland losses nationwide. The case studies are conducted to provide a better understanding of the challenges that local governments and disadvantaged communities face when developing and enacting policies as well as highlight local governments successes and insights into what factors led to their success. This effort will help the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implement ICWWG Recommendations including supporting local planning to increase the acreage of protected coastal wetlands and developing local planning best practices for wetland protection.

To learn more click to view the ICWWG Case Studies of Local Coastal Wetland Protections (PDF). 

Submit a Statement of Interest

The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) is soliciting an experienced consultant to assist with the update of the Lake County Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan. Interested parties are encouraged to submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) via the Lake County Purchasing Portal. The SOI submission deadline is May 31, by noon CST. Qualified candidates will be recommended for inclusion in the next step of the selection process. Learn more here. Questions? Email stormwater@lakecountyil.gov 

Provide Knollwood Input by May 10

On April 23, SMC hosted a meeting for community members at the Knollwood Fire House to address drainage issues in the Knollwood Community. SMC Executive Director Kurt Woodford and Scott Griffith of Kimley-horn provided a brief background on the development. If you were not able to attend the community meeting, there is still an opportunity for Knollwood Community property owners to provide feedback on drainage concerns, which will guide the development of a drainage improvement concept plan.

To provide your feedback, go to https://tinyurl.com/knollwooddrainage. Be sure to mark the location on the map and describe the drainage issue. You can also email CHN.Knollwood.Community@kimley-horn.com by Friday, May 10. 

For more information, visit our website at LakeCountyIl.gov/SMC.

Mark Your Calendar ~ 

Postponed - June 6 Public Watershed Meeting 

NOTICE: The Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan Meeting originally scheduled for June 6 in Wauconda for the Fox River Watershed area is postponed. The meeting will be rescheduled. No additional information is available at this time. 

You're Invited! Ribbon Cutting, June 10 City of Park City officials and residents are invited to join SMC and representatives to celebrate the completion of the Park City Stormwater Improvement Project on June 10 at 10AM. Visit LakeCountyil.gov/SMC for more.

Homeowners Association (HOA) Workshop - Sept. 12

 This meeting will be held at the Central Permit Facility. Details to follow. 

SMC Staff Spotlight

Happy Retirement Darcy! Thank You for Your Service!

Darcy McNeill is a lifelong resident of Lake County. She grew up living on a farm in Fremont Center, and she now resides on a working farm in the Grayslake area with her husband Bill. In addition to tending to her critters on the farm, Darcy has been Stormwater Management Commission's Senior Administrative Assistant for more than 22 years. She always aims to put a smile on your face, genuinely enjoys helping people and it shows. 

During her time, SMC has been involved in many great projects. "Raising my kids in Grandwood Park and owning a house there, I have a soft spot for the Grandwood Park Dam project that SMC spearheaded. Another important project Darcy highlighted was the Gurnee Grade School. "That sticks out in my mind as a lot of work, but well worth it! A couple of years ago, I enjoyed going with our Executive Director to each municipality to find the most important projects in the County to help alleviate problem areas." However, the funding that was received by the state to help all kinds of projects in Lake County is what stands out in her mind most.

When asked what she liked most about her role within Lake County, Darcy said, "I love all that SMC has done and will do in the future, and I am proud to tell folks that I work for SMC. SMC is a terrific team to say the least. COVID put a hiccup in things, but we all got through it as a team. I am really going to miss SMC, but I am looking forward to replacing my SMC hat with a full-time “Farmwife” hat!"

Outside of work, Darcy enjoy spending time with friends, reading, gardening, looking after her 42 hens, horses and dog, Lacey.

Thank you Darcy for your years of dedication and service. May the years ahead be filled with new endeavors and happy adventures. You will be greatly missed.