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Greetings!
Just when I started to feel like I learned something in 2009, things begin changing again. There are many of pending ordinances, regulations and laws being considered at federal, state and local levels that will effect the way we develop and manage land in the future. Articles covering these changes are outlined below with useful links that you can use to follow the issues. If you don't have time to follow the issues, don't worry, ENCAP will make every effort to keep you informed.
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Clean Water Restoration Act
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 The Clean Water Restoration Act(CWRA) initially introduced in 2007 was reintroduced by the 111th congress last year to "clarify jurisdiction of the United States" and establish the CWA's
application to U.S. waters, including interstate wetlands, tributaries,
territorial seas, "intrastate lakes, rivers, streams (including
intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie
potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, or natural ponds." The bill is in
reaction to two U.S. Supreme Court decisions, Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County v. United States Army Corps of Engineers (531 U.S. 159, 2001) and Rapanos v. United States
(547 U.S. 715, 2006).
Many feel that the referenced supreme court rulings were victories for the land development community. Others blame the rulings for permitting delays, increased costs, and more litigation.
Most people agree that it is important to protect water quality, the debate is over the level of bureaucracythat centers around this issue. In a nut shell, the CWRA would return regulation over isolated wetlands and waters to the federal government. It will be interesting to see how the act will effect county stromwater ordinances that have been passed to regulate isolated waters since 2001.
You can follow the status of the act at Source Watch.
You can download and review the act here. | |
Green Infrastructure Act
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Last year, the
Illinois Legislature took a significant step toward statewide sustainable water
policy by passing the Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act, SB 1489. The bill directs the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to consider
standards that prioritize natural drainage approaches known as green
infrastructure. Click here for a map of the Chicago Wilderness Green Infrastructure Vision.
The development of Green Infrastructure Planning for Illinois is in response
to several triggers - the focus of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
of 2009 (ARRA) on green infrastructure including the availability of funds, Illinois
stormwater programs and Public Act 096-0026. The Illinois EPA has
directed staff to develop a Green Infrastructure Planning project to include
all of Illinois.
For this effort, the focus will be on stormwater management - particularly in
urban areas. The
Bureau of Water is partnering with the University of Illinois - Chicago (UIC),
Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), The Center for Neighborhood
Technology (CNT), Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP),
Indiana-Illinois Sea Grant, the Capital Development Board (CDB), and Department
of Transportation (IDOT) to implement a green infrastructure planning process.
Download the full text of the bill here. Follow the progress of the planning process at the Center for Neighborhood Technology,
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 The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC) has developed a new
Stormwater Ordinance, supporting technical guidance document, and administrative
rules for stormwater managment. This
far-reaching ordinance will impact the entire county.
The comprehensive ordinance will include new standards on floodplains, water quality, wetlands and riparian standards.
A draft of the proposed Ordinance can be found at this link. |
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Next month we will cover some of the practical "on the ground" green infrastructure measures that some of our clients have implemented and that you can apply projects for the future. Let's stay on top of the changes together and make 2010 a great year!
Sincerely,
Carl Peterson
ENCAP, Inc.
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Upcoming Events
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January 28-30
Illinois Park and Recreation Association
Soaring to New Heights Conference
Stop by the ENCAP exhibit at the Hilton Chicago!
Click Here for Details
February 11-12
Wisconsin Wetlands Association
15th Annual WWA Wetland Science Conference
Eau Claire, WI.
Click Here to Register
February 18
Beyond The Basics: Green Infrastructure for Clean Water
The Conservation Foundation BMP Design Seminar
Signature Events
6440 Double Eagle Drive
Woodridge, IL
Click here for Details
February 16-20, 2010
IECA Annual Conference
Environmental Connection
The World's Largest Soil and Water Event
Hilton Anatole Hotel
Dallas, Texas, USA
Click Here for Details
MARCH 3-5, 2010
2010 Annual Professional Improvement Conference
of the Wisconsin Association of Land Conservation Employees
Click Here for Details
MARCH 6, 2010
Yorkville
2nd annual Environmental Fair
Yorkville Rec. Center 202 E. Countryside Pkwy. Yorkville IL, 60560 Email Cheryl Lee for More Information cldesignbuild@aol.com
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