Watershed projects get Lake County funding grants
News-Sun Staff report January 30, 2013 8:02PM
Updated: April 1, 2013 2:06AM
Local governments, homeowners’ associations and watershed groups will be sharing $141,112 in Lake County Stormwater Management Commission Watershed Management Board cost-share grants for 15 projects.
The projects, whose total value is estimated at more than $385,000, will focus on improvements to natural and man-made stormwater systems to reduce flood damage and improve water quality, and for watershed planning.
Two stakeholder groups in southern Lake County received grants and will provide opportunities for property owners and others to get involved in their watershed.
The Buffalo Creek Clean Watershed Partnership is developing a water quality monitoring program to target best stormwater management practices for long-term improvements to watershed wetlands, lakes, Buffalo Creek and the Des Plaines River. The partnership includes Buffalo Grove, Deer Park, Kildeer, Long Grove and Lake Zurich.
The Tower Lake Drain Partnership is a new group working towards the development of a watershed management plan, stormwater improvement projects, and outreach activities. The Partnership includes Lake Barrington, Fox River Grove and Tower Lake.
Other projects include work at Countryside Lake near Mundelein; Crooked Lake shoreline restoration in Lindenhurst; water quality improvements for Loch Lomond in Mundelein; invasive species removal in Gurnee; work at Old School Forest Preserve near Libertyville; Arrowhead Pond dredging in Round Lake Heights; a rain garden for Highland Lake; and work in Zion and Beach Park.
