Thursday Afternoon Meeting on Local Watersheds

Sleepy Hollow Watershed has about 12,121 residents.

The Algonquin Township Hall on Route 14 between Cary and Crystal Lake will be the site of discussions about Silver and Sleepy Hollow Creek, which run through Nunda and Algonquin Townships, on Thursday afternoon.   Here is a press release about the event:

Local Planning Participants Consider Projects to Protect Streams,
Lakes, and Groundwater in Southeastern McHenry County

Upcoming Watershed Planning Meeting on Thursday, May 19, 1:30 p.m. in Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake – On May 19, community members will discuss possible recommendations for projects to protect lakes, streams, and groundwater resources in southeastern McHenry County. The meeting is part of an initiative to develop a watershed action plan for the

  • Silver Creek and
  • Sleepy Hollow Creek

watersheds in southeastern McHenry County. A watershed is an area of land that drains water into a common receiving body or outlet such as a stream.

Silver Creek Watershed contains an estimated 10,235 inhabitants.

Projects identified in this plan can become eligible for state and federal grant funding to help local groups and individuals implement these projects.

The meeting is being coordinated by The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County (EDMC) with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP).

“We are working to develop recommendations for projects that support local priorities for protecting water quality,” said EDMC Watershed Coordinator Lynn Rotunno.

The Silver Creek and Sleepy Hollow Creek watersheds are located within Oakwood Hills, Prairie Grove, and portions of Bull Valley, Cary, Crystal Lake, and McHenry. The watersheds also include portions of unincorporated McHenry County and are within Nunda Township and Algonquin Township.

Community members who live, work, or play in these watersheds are invited to attend and participate in this unique planning opportunity.

Meeting Information:

Thursday, May 19, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Algonquin Township, 3702 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake, IL.
RSVP to watershedinfo@mcdefenders.net or 815-338-0393 by May 17.

Community members that are not available to attend this upcoming meeting are encouraged to contact the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County (EDMC) at watershedinfo@mcdefenders.net or 815-338-0393 to learn more and provide input. More information on this planning initiative is also available at http://foxriverecosystem.org/planning.htm . Additional meetings will be held monthly in the watersheds through December of 2011. All meetings are open to the public.

Watershed planning is a collaborative, locally supported approach to protecting and improving water quality in lakes and streams, addressing groundwater protections, restoring healthy aquatic habitat, preventing community flooding, and considering other water resource-related concerns important for local communities.

Additional Information:

The Silver Creek and Sleepy Hollow Creek watersheds are home to significant resources, including dedicated Illinois Nature Preserves, rare wetlands, rich farmland, dozens of parks, and several lakes enjoyed by community members as a source of recreation.

The streams in these watersheds drain to the Fox River, an important source of drinking water, community recreation, and wildlife habitat. Working to protect the Silver Creek and Sleepy Hollow Creek watersheds will support local communities and help restore Fox River water quality and wildlife habitat.

These planning projects are funded by Section 604(b) of the Clean Water Act by way of a grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Water, to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). Watershed planning oversight is the responsibility of CMAP. Planning Partners include the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, Fox River Ecosystem Partnership, and the Fox River Study Group.

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a citizen-based, 501c3 not-for-profit organization, dedicated to the preservation and improvement of our natural environment. For information about programs and membership, visit www.mcdef.org or email to mcdef@owc.net.


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