The McHenry County Bioneers held a Symposium last week on Saturday November 8, 2008.  The Symposium was kicked off by State Representative Mike Tryon who gave an encouraging message for green businesses in Illinois.

Mr. Tryon stated the fact that Illinois has the most college students in the nation studying the environmental sciences and emphasized the importance of keeping this talent in the state by promoting green jobs.

Mr. Tryon stated that one of his major objectives as a State Representative was to work to promote Illinois as the "Silicon Valley" of the green Industry.

Overall the symposium had a message about dovetailing environmental goals with economic growth initiatives.  ENCAP, Inc. representatives made some good contacts at the symposium and we are looking forward to offering practical solutions to the ecological challenges of tomorrow.

In 2007, DeKalb City Council appointed a Stormwater Task Force Committee to review actions needed to lessen the impact of future flood events. On June 9, 2008 at the Committee of the Whole, the City reviewed the project summary and recommendations form the Task Force.  A formal implementation plan for projects to address the negative impacts of flooding in the community was considered on October 23, 2008.  The plan was presented again to the City Council on November 5, 2008 and is still under consideration. 

 

The Implementation Plan will entail four key areas.

 

1. Property Acquisition

2. Infrastructure Improvements

3. Immediate Flood Management

4. Long Range Flood Management

 

Implementation of the plan could offer opportunities to local contractors and engineers as efforts to improve stormwater management in the City are realized.

In 2008, County and municipal, township, and road commission staff were required to submit an updated
permit application or "Notice of Intent" to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Phase II regulations. MS4s are now working under a new 5-year permit to operate stormwater
systems.

 

-- What is the current status of the program?

-- What do you do if you haven't yet submitted your new permit application?

-- What can MS4s do during this tough economic time to deal with abandoned developments, pinched municipal budgets, etc?

On November 13, 2008, ENCAP, Inc. attended the Chicago Wilderness 2008 Congress.  Chicago Wilderness is a regional alliance of more than 230 organizations that work together to restore and protect local nature and improve quality of life for all living things.  Close to 600 people attended the event.  The keynote speaker was David Bragdon, President of the Portland Oregon Metro Council who spoke on integration of open space with development and transportation projects.  A key component in promoting open space is to generate public involvement through the cooperation of government and non-government agencies.  Conference sessions covered Climate Change, Restoration & Management, Environmental Education, and Green Infrastructure Vision. Learn more about Chicago Wilderness at their website: