Title/Name/Summary
Hickory Creek Watershed Plan - Resolution of Support
History
In 2009 the Hickory Creek Watershed Planning Group (HCWPG) secured a $209,520 Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) grant, to complete the Hickory Creek Watershed Plan. The grant was funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and was administered by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). Orland Park passed a resolution of support for the grant, and participated in the planning effort through staff participation on the Steering Committee, Planning Group, and public meetings.
The Watershed Plan has now been completed. It accomplishes the plan goals by developing a watershed resources inventory and a watershed plan that will help the group and local governments to become eligible to leverage funding from other sources to address water quality, erosion, and stream bank restoration. Approximately one-third of Orland Park (southwestern portion) is within the limits of the Hickory Creek Watershed Study, which includes portions of Marley Creek and Spring Creek.
The Plan includes both an Executive Summary that provides an overview of the Plan for general consumption, as well as a detailed technical report that can serve as supporting documentation in grant applications and as a resource for the engineering of improvements.
Plan Highlights for Orland Park
General Policies
The following general policies are recommended by the plan. Many of the recommendations that are relevant to Orland Park already parallel many of the Village's efforts.
1. Commit to protecting a "green infrastructure" network. This can be done in many ways, including taking a more sensitive approach to development.
2. Update local ordinances as detailed in the Plan to make specific upgrades, especially to encourage or require the wider use of improved storm water management and to improve standards for the maintenance of natural areas in subdivisions.
3. Establish a program for inspecting existing septic systems upon resale of homes.
4. Develop local programs to reduce the use of road salt.
5. Add nutrient removal processes to wastewater treatment plants.
6. Support the flood control project being undertaken by the Illinois Department of Natural Resouces and the City of Joliet at the downstream ends of Hickory and Spring Creeks.
7. Finally, institute a policy as part of the formal capital improvement programs of communities to incorporate "green" designs. This structured way of looking for added value in conventional projects is an inexpensive way of improving conditions over time.
Green Infrastructure Network Map
A "Green Infrastructure Network Map" is also included as part of the Plan. The map generally identifies the undeveloped Spring Creek area as having potential for conservation development; the Grasslands area for restoration, and the Lake Sedgewick/Calvary Church/Catholic Cemeteries for the utilization of conservation easements. Again, these recommendations generally align with the Village priorities in these areas.
Project Site No. 25 in Orland Park
Thirty individual sites were identified in the plan for specific improvements. Project site No. 25 is along Marley Creek in Orland Park just south of 179th Street. The Plan recommends the restoration of this stream channel including removal of invasive species, planting of native vegetation, installation of in-stream structures such as pools and riffles, and other wetland enhancements.
Financial Impact
There will be no direct budget impact from the resolution of support. If the Village elects to complete the recommended restoration of 1300' of Marley Creek south of 179th Street, the estimated cost ranges from $165,000 to $185,000. There is potential to seek grant funding for the construction of these improvements. No funds are being requested at this time.
The attached resolution in support of this plan is now before the Village Board for consideration.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to pass Resolution Number ___________, entitled: RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE HICKORY CREEK WATERSHED PLAN.