Upper Des Plaines River Watershed Plan

A watershed is the area of land drained by a river, stream, or other body of water.  If rain or snowmelt does not have areas of vegetation to infiltrate into the soil, it may flow overland to lower areas in the landscape to a body of water or wetland. The land surrounding that wetland or body of water is considered the watershed.

The figure below depicts the Lake County Watersheds.

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The purpose of the proposed project is to evaluate feasible flood risk reduction alternatives in Lake County to reduce the risk of flood damage for homes and businesses in Lake County, IL. The secondary project purposes are to create and enhance public wildlife habitat and improved open space for area residents.

The Upper Des Plaines River Watershed has experienced reoccurring flood damage to private properties and public infrastructure in Lake County.  In 2023, the NRCS developed a Preliminary Investigation Feasibility Report (PIFR) providing an overview of the project watershed. It confirmed that multiple resource concerns are present in the project watershed including flooding, water quality, erosion/sedimentation, and a need for the public recreation. By creating additional wetlands and restoring the existing wetlands, flooding should not occur as often and the water quality and wildlife habitat of Lake County will improve.

The Upper Des Plaines River Watershed within Lake County, Illinois is being analyzed as part of the Watershed Plan.

The Lake County Forest Preserve District (LCFPD) is a key partner in the development of the Plan/EA.  There are five LCFPD sites that are being considered in this Watershed Plan.  They are Pine Dunes, Duck Farm, Independence Grove, Mill Creek, and Wilmot Woods.

There are five Lake County Forest Preserve District sites under consideration in this Plan/EA: Pine Dunes, Duck Farm, Independence Grove, Mill Creek, and Wilmot Woods. The IL-NRCS and SMC are committed to working with property owners adjacent to the boundaries of these sites. To learn how your property might be impacted by the Upper Des Plaines River Watershed Plan, contact Matthew Robert, Illinois NRCS Conservation Engineer, at 217-353-6626.

The formal scoping period begins November 7, 2024 and closes August 2025, during which time the public has a chance to submit comments to be considered in the drafting of the Plan/EA. All public comments will be recorded in the Draft Plan/EA. There will also be an Initial Public Meeting on December 10, 2024 and Final Public Meeting in 2025 (Date TBD). When the Draft Plan/EA is published, the public can review it on this Project Website and provide comments.

There will be representatives from the IL-NRCS, SMC, and the Architectural – Engineering firm working on the Watershed Plan / EA. The scope of the project will be explained and the areas under consideration will be discussed. The representatives will discuss conceptual  costs of the project and disclose any known potential effects. Comment cards will be available for the public to provide comments and concerns.

The Project website will be updated regularly with information as it is obtained to track the progress of the Plan/EA. If you are unable to attend the Public Meeting, it will be recorded and be available to view within 7 days on the Project Website.

Submitting comments is the most effective way to make your voice heard in the process.  Please feel free to send comments prior to August 2025, and they will be responded to within three business days.

Comments may be:

• Emailed to: UDPRWatershedPlan@stantec.com

• Submitted online at: https://www.udpr-nrcs-watershedplan.com via a comment form (linked here)

The Illinois-NRCS Office is funding the development of the Plan/EA for the Upper Des Plaines River Watershed Plan. NRCS is authorized to assist local municipalities with watershed and flood reduction planning projects. The local sponsor of the Project is the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC). The SMC is specifically interested in working on public lands and incorporating wetland restoration, creation, and enhancement as a means of reducing runoff to the Des Plaines River.

The PR&G govern how federal agencies evaluate proposed water resource projects. They provide direction to federal agencies when evaluating and selecting major water projects. As it relates to the Upper Des Plaines River Watershed Plan, in addition to complying with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Plan/EA must also meet PR&G requirements.  More information on how the PR&G will be incorporated into the Plan/EA can be found in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Guidance for Conducting Analyses Under the Principles, Requirements, and Guidelines for Water and Land Related Resources Implementation Studies and Federal Water Resource Investments DM 9500-0013.

NEPA was the first major environmental law in the United States, signed by President Nixon on January 1, 1970. NEPA requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions. The goal of the NEPA process is to foster action that protects, restores, and enhances our environment. This is achieved through using Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) to provide public officials with relevant information and allow a detailed look at the potential environmental consequences of each proposed project. Read more about the NEPA process from the Council of Environmental Quality.

A Plan/EA is an official environmental review document required by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for planning and carrying out projects under the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program (also known as Public Law 83-566) and to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). A Plan/EA is required for any project that applies for federal financial assistance through the NRCS Watershed Program and anticipates that the proposed project could significantly affect the quality of the human and natural environment.