# Water Resources Committee Amendment Review Activities - During the third quarter, the Water Resources Committee considered six Level II requests for amendment of areawide and state water quality management plans. In addition, staff, following Commission guidelines, processed 10 Level III National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) notices. The Committee also received status reports on the American Heritage River Initiative, reviewed proposed legislation from Will County, discussed Commission population, household and employment forecasts, and approved comments to the National Park Service on the draft Calumet Ecological Park Feasibility Study. (Washington)

# Project Review - During the third quarter, 30 requests for funding under various federal and/or state programs were processed and included in the monthly notification. In addition, advisory comments regarding the draft Cook County Land Use Policy Plan were reviewed and approved for submittal by the Planning Committee. In addition, staff has undertaken a survey of all recipients of NIPC's monthly notification to ascertain the use and timeliness of our notification process. This analysis will also include meetings and discussions with members of the State of Illinois Clearinghouse. Recommendations for modifications to the notification/review process will be presented to Commissioners during the early part of the fourth quarter FY 1998. (Washington)

# Agency Strategic Goals and Objectives Planning - As part of the process to update the Commission's Strategic Plan for the 1998 - 2000 period, an assessment and summary of the 9-month 1995, and calendar year 1996 and 1997 action programs was prepared. The report assesses the accomplishments and non-accomplishments of NIPC's strategic planing action programs. In addition, a phone survey of the Executive Committee was undertaken, a written survey of all Commissioners conducted, senior management reviewed NIPC's strategic planning from a work program perspective, and an all staff survey was conducted A draft listing of potential components of a 1998 Action Program in support of NIPC Strategic Planning for the period 1998-2000 was formulated for presentation to the Executive Committee and Full Commission. (Washington)

# Program Development - Staff members along with a commissioner delegation met with staff at the Illinois Bureau of Budget regarding state appropriation for the Commission.(Peters)

# Liaison Activities - NIPC staff assisted the Lt. Governor in staging the Urban Rivers Conference. The conference, held on January 21, 1998 and attended by 187 participants, focused on addressing the challenging water quality, wildlife habitat, economic development, recreation, and flooding issues that affect northeastern Illinois. (Radtke)

# 1998 Trainers Forum - Over 110 trainers and local government representatives participated in the fifth annual "Spotlight on Trainers" on Friday, February 27, 1998 at Hamburger University in Oak Brook. Commissioner. Rae Rupp Srch gave the opening address to the largest such forum to date. Conference evaluations for the event were extremely positive. (Swanson)

# Local Government Training Network - The spring - summer edition of the Local Government Training Calendar was published and distributed to approximately 850 local governments. The training network has been nominated for the 1998 intergovernmental innovation award from the International City/County Management Association. (Swanson)

# Natural Resources Technical Assistance - Staff provided advice to local governments on a variety of water quality and water resource issues, including urban stormwater management, nonpoint source control, stream, lake and wetland protection, floodplain management, and groundwater protection. This assistance was provided via presentations at numerous seminars and conferences; presentations to village boards, planning commissions, and advisory committees; participation on several task forces and technical advisory committees; and responses to numerous telephone inquiries from local governments and their consultants. (Dreher)

# Geographical Information System - Draft digital map of the region prepared to solicit staff comments; apparently obtaining permission from IDOT to use state road file will be a problem. Municipal coverage updated to include Coal City. Staff met with Oak Park to discuss possible assistance. Discussions concerning aerial photos continued with Chicago and Cook County. Staff worked with Chicago concerning their idea to distribute data to local community groups. List of available GIS data was updated. Participation in ARC User Group and Illinois GIS Association (ILGISA) continued. Staff working with Federal Geographic Data Consortium in development of metadata learning tools. (Dieber)

# GIS - National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) Clearinghouse - Staff organized and hosted Illinois GIS Association (ILGISA) sessions on NSDI activities and workshops on metadata. Various metadata collection tools were evaluated. Metadata interview phone script and questionnaire prepared. DuPage County metadata reviewed for inclusion on Clearinghouse Node. Staff worked on completion of NIPC metadata documents for inclusion on Clearinghouse Node. (Dieber)

# Development Monitoring - Development database efforts continued. Work on designing and migrating to another database program is underway. Efforts began to develop working relationships with strategically located municipalities - this should provide important quality control to the development database program. 1995 employment estimates were completed except for selected final review. Preparation of a data bulletin containing these estimates is underway. (Dieber)

# Land Use Monitoring - Lake County's 1995 land use update interpretation phase has been completed and automation has begun. The interpretation phase for Will County has begun. Resource development with City of Chicago departments through a pilot study of the "Lake Calumet Planning Area" has started. Discussions have begun for the design and integration of DuPage County land use data. (Dieber)

# Technical Assistance - The Research Services Department handled 396 data requests during December, January and February. (Dieber)

# Regional Data Community - Staff designed Base Year 2000 Database Project and presented it to Planning Committee for consideration. (Dieber)

# NIPC Internal Computer Network/Assistance - Internal GIS meetings to coordinate GIS projects across agency have been held. Efforts to maintain e-mail access continue. Staff requests for additional hardware and software were compiled; a recommended plan for acquisition was approved by senior staff. Price quotes were obtained, hardware and software was purchased and installed. Old machines released by acquisition of new equipment were reassigned to other staff and reconfigured as needed. New problems presented through arrival of Windows 95 systems were dealt with. (Dieber)

# Corridor Planning - Planning Services staff have worked with local governments in eastern Will County (through the Eastern Will County Regional Council (EWCRC)) in developing to local assistance type projects. A final draft of a funding guide for transportation resources was completed and presented to the EWCRC.. A second project, a model access management ordinance, is underway and is scheduled for presentation to the EWCRC in April 1998. (Paige)

# Kendall County Liaison - Commissioners Mary Richards and Rae Rupp Srch and staff attended an information meeting of approximately 20 local officials in Yorkville on February 3 to discuss Kendall County's interest in joining NIPC. Presentations have also been scheduled before the Kendall County Building and Zoning Committee and the Oswego Village Board and Planning Commission in March. (Swanson)

# Legislative Activities - Staff prepared for Commission review and approval Congressional briefing statements for meetings with the Congressional delegation in conjunction with the National Association of Regional Councils annual policy briefing. Commissioners Rita Athas, Don Doherty, Ed Smith and Herb Schumann, along with Director Peters and Sandi Radtke attended the NARC Briefing and Congressional meetings. Meetings were held with Senators Carol Moseley-Braun and Richard Durbin, Congressmen Jesse Jackson Jr., William Lipinski, and the staff or Congressmen Blalgojevich, Crane, Hyde, Porter, Manzullo, and Weller and the directors of the City of Chicago and State of Illinois offices. (Radtke)

# Intergovernmental Planning Act - Senators Marty Butler, Kirk Dillard, Donne Trotter, and Howard Carroll have agreed to co-sponsors House Bill 321 in the Senate. Senator Chris Radgono has agreed to become our principal Senate sponsor. The bill is currently is the Senate Rules Committee.

# Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program - NIPC continued to coordinate Illinois EPA's Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program (VLMP) for the six county northeastern Illinois region. During this quarter Natural Resources Department staff provided technical assistance and educational materials, fact sheet development, award determinations, newsletter development, and assistance with annual report preparation. Of the 146 lakes participating in the VLMP statewide during 1997, 57 lakes were in the northeastern Illinois region involving 118 volunteers. (Dreher)

# Lake George Clean Lakes Program Phase 2 - NIPC continued to serve as technical coordinator to the Village of Richton Park for an Illinois Clean Lakes Program Phase 2 project at Lake George. Design of streambank stabilization measures is being conducted this quarter, with installation to begin in the spring. Bids for near shore sediment removal work were received in late February; this work also will be conducted in the spring. A draft "request for proposals" (RFP) for shoreline stabilization work was prepared. This RFP is expected to be let in the spring. Discussion and scheduling of the fishery rehabilitation was held with Illinois DNR's District Fishery Biologist. The fishery rehabilitation is currently scheduled for September. (Dreher)

# McCullom Lake Phase 2 Clean Lakes Program (City of McHenry) - The City of McHenry (McHenry Co.) received a Phase 2 Clean Lakes Program grant under U.S. EPA's Clean Lakes Program in 1993 to restore McCullom Lakes' recreational uses and provide for its long-term protection. The Commission prepared the Phase 1 study for the city and is serving as the Phase 2 implementation project coordinator. During winter 1998, Commission staff continued investigating the potential benefits that an aquatic weevil might have in controlling growth of a nuisance aquatic plant in the lake (Eurasian watermilfoil), options for controlling septic system impacts on the lake, and homeowner actions to reduce fertilizer runoff and shoreline erosion. (Dreher)

# Maple Lake Phase 1 Clean Lakes Program (Forest Preserve District of Cook County) - A Phase 1 Diagnostic/Feasibility Illinois Clean Lakes Program study was initiated at Maple Lake (Forest Preserve District of Cook County) in April 1997. The two and a half year study is currently assessing the lake's conditions which will lead to the development of a plan to protect the lake's recreational uses and long-term ecological health. (Dreher)

# Chicago Botanic Gardens Lagoons Phase 1 Clean Lakes Program - A Phase 1 Diagnostic/Feasibility Illinois Clean Lakes Program study was initiated at the Chicago Botanic Garden Lagoons (Cook Co.) in April 1997. The two and a quarter year study is currently assessing the lagoons' conditions which will lead to the development of a plan to improve the lake's aquatic plant habitat and provide for long-term ecological protection. (Dreher)

# 1998 National Lakes Conference - Staff continued the coordination of the upcoming 11th Annual National Conference on Enhancing the State's Lake Management Programs, to be held in Chicago in April 22-24, 1988. The Commission co-sponsors this conference with the U.S. EPA each year for leaders of the states' lake management programs and statewide lake associations. The theme of this year's conference is "Smart Growth Strategies to Protect Lakes and Reservoirs." (Dreher)

# Chicago Wilderness - Commission staff continues to work with the 34 member consortium of agencies who have combined their skills and resources to collectively work to protect and restore the precious natural resources in northeastern Illinois. In addition to NIPC, Chicago Wilderness includes forest preserve districts, the city of Chicago, the Chicago Zoos, the Field Museum, the Nature Conservancy, the Sierra Club, and U.S. environmental agencies. Current Planning Services Departmental activities include participation in the development of a biodiversity recovery plan for the northeastern Illinois area, biodiversity impact assessment of the NIPC regional growth forecasts, membership on the Chicago Wilderness coordinating committee, and chair of the Policy and Strategy Committee. Staff completed a detailed work scope for the development of the regional biodiversity recovery plan. NIPC staff also arranged and conducted a workshop on biodiversity and water resources. (Paige)

# GIS - Chicago Wilderness - Staff hired to help complete this project. Staff prepared memo describing project intentions for review by selected individuals involved in Chicago Wilderness; some comments incorporated in revised statement of intentions with project. Metadata interview phone script and questionnaire prepared. Staff with CAGIS began design of WWW interface for data catalog. Staff met with NW Indiana Environmental Forum GIS staff to discuss their involvement and inclusion in catalog. (Dieber)

# Water Trails Use Planning - In conjunction with the Open Lands Project, NIPC staff continued the process of developing a regional plan for use of water trails in northeastern Illinois. Using the Paddling Council as a subcontractor, a comprehensive inventory of water trail use information has been completed. A series of workshops along the rivers of northeastern Illinois, held during the months of October and November, were summarized and presented to the NIPC Planning Committee. An outline of the plan was completed and writing of the first draft is underway. (Paige)

# Accounting & Payroll - The new line of credit agreement with Bank of America has been executed. Requests for proposal have been solicited for the annual audits for Fiscal Years 1998 - 2000. It is anticipated that a recommendation for the appointment of an auditor will be made at the April Executive Committee meeting. (Swanson)

# Administrative Services - Approximately 10 grants, contracts, and subcontracts for the current fiscal year were reviewed, negotiated and executed during the past quarter. The legal review of the new personnel handbook was completed. A negotiating session was held with our "cognizant agency," the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in order to effectuate certain changes in the fringe benefit/indirect cost plan for fiscal year 1999. Preliminary labor and leave projections for Fiscal Year 1999 budgeting purposes have been developed. (Swanson)

# Aerial Photography Reserve Fund - Preliminary cost estimates for the year 2000 aerial photography program are being developed using alternative approaches to procuring the imagery. (Swanson)

# Agency Work Program Development & Monitoring - Staff developed a schedule for the development and Commission review and adoption of a fiscal year 1999 work program and line item budget. Preliminary proposals for funding under the Unified Work Program for transportation planning was developed and submitted. A third quarter work program progress report was prepared for distribution with the March 341, 1998 quarterly meeting package. (Swanson)

# Graphics and Printing - The new high-speed, heavy duty copier for the copying center was selected and acquired from the low bidder. Graphics work was completed on the new publications list. Work is currently underway on the 1997 annual report. (Swanson)

# DuPage County Hydrologic Assistance - As part of a continuing effort with the DuPage County Department of Environmental Concerns (DEC), NIPC is providing hydrologic modeling assistance to the County. NIPC is currently developing hydrologic models for a number of watersheds around the county as well as preparing tools and information for use in implementing the countywide stormwater ordinance. NIPC has been assisting DEC in gaining approval of their hydrologic and statistical methods from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

# Will County Comprehensive Stormwater Plan - Commission staff is assisting the Will County Stormwater Committee in preparing a comprehensive countywide stormwater management plan. The Committee currently is reviewing the final draft plan that will be released for public review. The plan will be a blueprint for a countywide program to comprehensively manage stormwater.

# Kane County Comprehensive Stormwater Plan - Commission staff is also assisting the Kane County Stormwater Management Committee in preparing a comprehensive countywide stormwater management plan. As in Will County, the Kane County plan is intended to be a blueprint for a countywide stormwater program. Draft recommendations and the implementation strategy are currently being reviewed.

# Advanced Identification Study of McHenry County Wetlands - Commission staff, under contract with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, continues to coordinate a study of wetlands in McHenry County. This project, known as an Advanced Identification (or ADID) study, is intended to develop improved knowledge and understanding of the County's wetland resources. A public meeting has been scheduled for March 18 in McHenry County to review study methodology and results.

# Landowners Handbook for Managing and Restoring Stream Greenways - Chapters have been drafted addressing background concerns and stream management principles. Drafts of sections on stream buffers, stream maintenance, and bank stabilization.

# 2020 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) - Staff participated in subregional implementation studies, including the Northwest Corridor Transit Feasibility Study, the Wikaduke arterial study, the LUTSFOX study, the UPCSX rail study, and three Metra Major Investment Studies for expansion of the North Central Service and extensions of south west service to Manhattan and west service to Elburn. Staff also began work with the City of Chicago in defining transportation study for the Edgewater/Rogers Park/near suburban area.

# Water Quality Technical Assistance - Technical assistance was provided to a number of communities and organizations on a range of water quality and nonpoint source management concerns. Notable topics of assistance included streambank and shoreline stabilization, natural detention basin designs, and wetland/prairie restoration.

# Watershed Planning Assistance - This new project allows the Commission to provide limited planning assistance to local watershed management initiatives. Fourteen such watershed initiatives have been identified in the region. Assistance ranges from informal advice, to serving on an advisory committee, to participating as a partnership member. Staff is currently assisting efforts in the Kishwaukee River, Blackberry Creek, Waubansee Creek, Butterfield Creek, and Chicago River watersheds. Due to limited time and budget, staff has been able to participate at a much reduced level in the efforts involving the DuPage River watershed and the Fox River Ecosystem Partnership. Staff is expecting expanded contractual involvement in the watershed planning efforts of the Kishwaukee River Ecosystem Partnership and the Blackberry Creek Watershed Committee.

# Assessment of Commission Water Resource Management Plans - A proposal has been drafted for the initiation of a strategic planning process for water resources. This proposal has undergone internal review and will be sent out to the Commissions informal water resources advisors group for comments.

# Alternative Pavement Deicing Materials Brochure - A draft section on impacts and costs has been completed and additional references on pavement deicing alternatives have been collected. An advisory committee of state and local experts has reviewed the first draft of the brochure.

# National Conference on Retrofit Opportunities for Water Resource Protection in Urban Environments - Co-sponsored by U.S. EPA and the Commission, this national conference was held on February 9-12, 1998 at the Westin Hotel in downtown Chicago. The conference explored approaches for implementing water resource protection strategies in existing urban areas. Approximately 230 attended a pre-conference workshop on watershed planning and 285 attended the full conference.