The following report highlights the major work program activities undertaken during the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 1998 in support of the June 19, 1997 adopted "Fiscal Year 1998 Work Program and Line Item Budget." Responsible senior staff members are identified for each of the following work program items.

AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES

Staff prepared six new components for inclusion in the CATS congestion mitigation handbook: jobs-housing balance, transit oriented development, density management, corridor planning, rebuilding disinvested areas, and mixed use development. The final draft of the air quality land use design source book was completed. Staff met with both the Heritage Corridor Planning Council (CPC) and the McHenry County Economic Development Commission to discuss land use and access management studies along major arterial roadways. (Paige)

COMMISSION REVIEW & COMMENT

• Water Quality Review Activities - During the last quarter, the Water Resources Committee considered 10 Level II requests for amendments to adopted state and areawide water quality management plans and staff, following Commission guidelines, processed 10 Level III National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) notices. The Committee approved testimony in support of the USEPA's Proposed Federal Regulation Addressing Stormwater Discharges. The Committee received information regarding the USEPA's new Clean Water Action Plan and received a status report on discussions with Will County Governmental League. (Washington)

• EPA's Proposed Changes to Facility Planning Area (FPA) Amendment Review Process - The Committee received information regarding the IEPA's proposed changes to the water quality plan amendment review process. On May 4, 1998, the IEPA announced its intentions to pursue the following changes through the annual update to the Continuous Planning Process and the Water Quality Management Plan:

- The IEPA will no longer review or approve FPA boundaries.

- The Agency will continue to require project plans from units of local government requesting financial assistance through the revolving loan program.

The IEPA has informed the Commission that it would like to phase out the current program and replace it with a watershed-based management approach, but Commission involvement is not yet defined. The Committee directed staff to solicit county, local government, sanitary districts and utility company input and /or support for reiteration of the recommendations of March 1997, for a watershed planning program with certain basic components, and for mechanisms for securing the involvement and participation of wastewater agencies, utilities, and the private sector in a watershed based planning program. (Washington)

• Proposed Federal Regulation Addressing Stormwater Discharges - The Water Resources Committee transmitted Commission comments to the USEPA in response to its proposed regulations for addressing stormwater discharges. Commission comments included a statement that methods for identifying rapid growth areas be included in the regulations and that a mechanism for public education and outreach activities be developed and implemented. (Washington)

• Kane County Comprehensive Countywide Stormwater Management Plan - Public Review Draft - Comments are being prepared by the Water Resources Committee on the draft Kane County Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan. Commission comments will be finalized during the following month and submitted to Kane County following the July 7, 1998 meeting of the Water Resources Committee. (Washington)
  
  

COMMISSION AND COMMISSIONER SUPPORT ACTIVITIES

The Executive Director hosted the directors of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission to discuss closer agency coordination. Particular attention was given to Chicago Wilderness extension into adjoining states, data sharing and cooperation, and Des Plaines River planning. Subsequently, a presentation was made to a group in Wisconsin regarding the Chicago Wilderness Program.

The Director also presided as chair at a day-long Chicago Wilderness celebration at the Field Museum. Events included public announcement of the "Twelve Natural Wonders" campaign, the annual Chicago Wilderness members congress, and a symposium on the work of the Chicago Wilderness Program. The Assistant Secretary for U.S. Department of Agriculture was in attendance. (Peters)

A Commissioner and staff delegation briefed the editorial board of the Daily Herald and met with the Regional Administrator of USEPA on the commission's Regional Growth Strategy program. (Peters)

Meetings were held with representatives of both gubernatorial candidates, to brief them on the commission's Regional Growth Strategy program. (Radtke)

EDUCATION & OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

• Regional Data Community - The first organizing meeting for the Base Year 2000 Project was held in April, 1998. Staff led a discussion with the Marketing Committee of proposed Commission activities related to the 2000 Census. The Bureau of the Census has asked the Commission to provide local government training programs for the Bureau's Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) program. Workshops on this topic will be conducted by NIPC in June and July, 1998. (Dieber)

• 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. (Dreher)
  
  

FORECAST DEVELOPMENT & MODEL REFINEMENT

Staff has confirmed that the forecast model l is operational in preparation for sensitivity testing in conjunction with CATS staff. CATS revealed a problem with assumption sets used to generate the no-build alternatives last spring. While this had no direct impact on the final endorsed forecasts, it did raise questions about interpretation of model results. CATS and NIPC staff are moving ahead on sensitivity tests of the DRAM/EMPAL and Combined Models. Substantial effort has been spent on re-evaluating results to determine that the model generally was working as expected. Staff has nearly completed the recalculation of the various impact measures used at the June 1996 Rosemont meetings. These are needed to support the Regional Growth Strategy program. The process to automate suburban municipal comprehensive plans continues. Staff met with Lake County staff concerning their participation in this comprehensive plan collection and automation process. Efforts to update FPA boundaries and incorporate NPDES discharge points also continue. (Dieber)

HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - RESIDENTIAL PLANNING DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM

The Commission's Subarea Residential Planning Demonstration Project, initiated in February 1998, continued its monthly meetings focusing on the topic of "Preserving Existing and Neighborhoods." A draft final report component on this topic was approved by the group at their May 1998 meeting. The June 1998 meeting will begin the group's discussion on Improving the Location and Quality of New Residential Development.

The Subarea Steering Committee includes appointed representatives from Algonquin, Carpentersville, Cary, Crystal Lake, East Dundee, Elgin, Fox River Grove, Gilberts, Lake in the Hills, Sleepy Hollow, and West Dundee. Kane and McHenry counties are also represented.

In March 1998, the Illinois Housing Development Authority joined the group of organizations and banks financing the subarea planning demonstration with a contribution of $2,000. This augments the $16,000 in funding that has been received to date from Old Kent Bank, $10,000, American National Bank, $1,000, and %5,000 from Bank of America. The Fiscal Year 1999 State of Illinois Appropriation will provide $50,000 for the demonstration project.

To engage plan and zoning commission members of the subarea communities, the project will include a workshop, organized by the Illinois Chapter American Planning Association, in cooperation with NIPC and the Subarea Steering Committee. The workshop will provide affordable high quality training to planning commissioners, zoning commissioners, and local officials. The session is being designed to meet Planning/Zoning Commissioner's areas of interest and to augment the work of the Subarea Residential Planning Demonstration Project. The workshop will provide attendees an overview of the planning process, the role of the planning / zoning commission, zoning ordinances and review, differences between comprehensive planning and zoning ordinances, and residential planning issues. The Workshop has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, 1998. (Washington)

INFORMATION (DATA) SERVICES

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - In support of the Digital Map of the Region project, FEMA's Q3 100 year flood plain digital coverages were brought on-line and processed. A test copy of GRID, an analytical program supplementing ARC/INFO was installed and staff began to learn how it is used. It will be applied in a forecast impact analysis and in the recalculation of capacity of small areas to absorb population and job growth. An updated version of ARC/INFO (Ver. 7.1.2) was installed. With the additions of computer hard disk storage space, a directory structure for agency-wide sharing of GIS coverages and data was developed. Data from the Illinois Recreational Facilities Inventory was downloaded and reviewed for possible incorporation into NIPC databases.

During the fourth quarter, staff was involved in a variety of external GIS activities including the ARC Technology User Group, the Urban & Regional Information Systems Association's (URISA) Exemplary Systems in Government Review Committee, the Champaign meeting of the Illinois Geographical Information System Association (ILGISA), the City of Chicago's GIS Task Force, and a meeting of the Great Lakes Chapter of URISA. Staff participated in a response to two Requests for Proposals (RFP's) - one from Cook County and one from NASA. (Dieber)

• GIS - NSDI Clearinghouse - Staff conducted two 1-day metadata training seminars at UIC which required interviews of workshop participants, preparation of a workshop outline, teaching materials, packets of handouts, copies of metadata software on diskettes, as well as the preparation of the UIC computer lab. Substantial effort went into the preparation of metadata on NIPC files and providing assistance to workshop participants in preparing metadata meeting the Content Standards for Digital Geospatial metadata. (Dieber)

• Development Monitoring - Development database design efforts continued through the fourth quarter. A strategy was developed to present and test working relationships in a sub-area containing twelve municipalities and two counties (the Residential Planning demonstration Project area). Presentations were made to these governments concerning the importance of the monitoring program, particularly to the overall forecast effort. A feedback mechanism was implemented. Completion of a draft of the 1995 NIPC employment estimates data bulletin is near. (Dieber)

• Land Use Monitoring - The final 1995 inventory product for Lake County is scheduled for completion by the end of August. Will County photo-interpretation is underway; automation will begin in July. McHenry County staff is doing the photo-interpretation; automation will begin in August. Pilot efforts integrating land use inventories in Chicago and DuPage County are underway. Discussions with Kane County have just begun. (Dieber)

• Technical Assistance - The Research Services Department handled 411 documented data requests during March, April and May. (Dieber0
  
  

INTERGOVERNMENTAL PLANNING INITIATIVES

• Corridor Planning Councils - Staff has worked with local governments in eastern Will County (through the Eastern Will County Regional Council (EWCRC)) in developing two 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, was completed and presented to the EWCRC in June 1998. (Paige)

• Kendall County Liaison - As Kendall County officials consider whether to introduce legislation to join NIPC, staff presentations were made to the Oswego village board and Kendall County's Planning, Building and Zoning Committee. NIPC and Kendall County staff have been investigating potential funding sources for the extensive data development involved. (Swanson)

• Legislative Activities - 'In early April, the Commission learned that the Governor had included $500,000 for NIPC in the budget of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. The appropriation first went through the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Senator Rauschenberger, and then to the House General Services and Government Oversight Appropriation Committee, chaired by Rep. Schoenberg. Many letters and telephone calls were generated by the commissioners and meetings held with various senators and representatives. The appropriation did pass out of the General Assembly and was finally signed by the Governor on June 4. (Radtke)

Despite the Commission's best efforts, House Bill 321, the Intergovernmental Planing Act, did not succeed in getting out of the Senate Rules Committee. Senator Philip acknowledged that he had received quite a number of telephone calls in support of the bill. However, the indicated that the bill caused too much controversy with the Homebuilders and therefore would not call the bill out of committee, Senator Philip suggested that a compromise be worked out. Unfortunately, we spent a year trying to achieve such a compromise. The original bill was held in the House and amended to respond to each of their concerns. We thought agreement had been reached when the Homebuilders informed us that they would always be philosophically opposed to the bill. The bill did get out of the house on a vote of 81-32. The Commissioners agreed to respond to Senator Philip by trying again to work out a compromise with the homebuilders, meeting with the Senator and local government officials, and then trying once more to get the bill out in the veto session this fall. (Radtke)

On June 3, Commissioners and staff met with gubernatorial candidate, Congressman Glen Poshard to discuss the Commission's Regional Growth Strategy. Staff met with Secretary of State Ryan's staff and it is hoped that a meeting with Mr. Ryan can be arranged. (Radtke)

Commissioners and staff discussed the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District's proposed legislation to become the Cook County Stormwater Management Planning Agency. (Radtke)

The Legislative Committee also discussed and agreed to support the RTA's transportation funding coalition efforts which will begin in the fall. (Radtke)

LAKE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE

• 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, project staff provided training to volunteers, provided technical assistance and educational materials, developed fact sheets, and assisted with annual report preparation. For 1998, there are 63 lakes participating in the VLMP in northeastern Illinois, involving approximately 104 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. Review and discussion of the streambank stabilization design plans took place with the Village and consultant, and installation began. The near shore sediment removal work is expected to begin in June. Further review was conducted of the engineering plans for an upstream development. Additional discussion of the fishery rehabilitation logistics was held with Illinois Department of Natural Resource's District Fishery Biologist. The fishery rehabilitation is 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 spring/early summer 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 2½-year study is currently assess 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 2¼-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 coordinated the 11th Annual National Conference on Enhancing the State's Lake Management Programs on April 22-24, 1998 in Chicago. 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 was "Smart Growth Strategies to Protect Lakes and Reservoirs." Over 140 persons attended the conference , which featured presentations on reducing adverse environmental impacts associated with new development. (Dreher)
  
  

LAND USE - REGIONAL GROWTH STRATEGY

The Government Advisors Committee, for the Regional Growth Strategy Project, met three times between February and June 1998, to review and prioritize the tools list developed to implement the regional growth strategy. The advisory committee added 15 additional tools to the list of 17 originally proposed. The advisory committee also reviewed the draft Policy Statement for the Regional Growth Strategy and recommended changes to the NIPC Planning Committee. The NIPC Planning Committee is scheduled (June 18) to recommend that the full Commission adopted the revised Policy Statement at the June 30, 1998 quarterly meeting. NIPC staff have continued research into implementation tools that will be used in the consideration of a regional growth strategy. A long range project scope, in terms of major products and a three year time horizon, was developed by staff and presented to the NIPC Planning Committee.

The Areawide Advisory Committee met on April 17 and June 5. Committee members recommended additional policy tools for possible inclusion in the Growth Strategy. They also ranked the listed tools with respect to their probable influence on the distribution of future activity and the quality of development in the region. This ranking will be used in selecting tools for intensive research.

The Planning Committee authorized inclusion of additional members in the "Tier II" advisory group. These members represent civic, environmental and advocacy organizations with interests in regional development issues. The Commission's communications consultant arranged a meeting with the editorial board of the Daily Herald. Staff continued to provide information to radio and TV producers and directors associated with the planned Chicago Matters series on regional community. Research continued on several of the policy tools related to the Growth Strategy. (Regional Growth Strategy Team - Dieber, Ford, & Paige)

OPEN SPACE & RECREATION PLANNING ASSISTANCE

• GIS - Chicago Wilderness - Of the 37 "priority organizations" identified by Chicago Wilderness, 34 have been contacted concerning their participation in the Spatial Data Catalog. Efforts include interviews to draft metadata for the Catalog. Metadata for several data elements were completed. Discussions with co-principal CAGIS on the web-deliverable continued. The process of hiring a replacement for metadata technician was completed. (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. Staff, in conjunction with staff of the Open Lands Project and the Paddling Council have completed a first draft of the regional water use trail plan. It has been transmitted to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for review. (Paige)

• Chicago Wilderness - Commission staff continues to work with the 60 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. NIPC's PSD staff updated a detailed work scope for the development of the regional biodiversity recovery plan. NIPC staff produced an issue paper on Biodiversity and Growth Management. NIPC staff also have arranged and during the month of June will have conducted 5 subregional meetings to generate public input on the development of the biodiversity recovery plan. (Paige)
  
  

OPERATIONS

• Accounting and Payroll - Seven responses were received to the recent request for proposals for the annual audits for Fiscal Years 1998 - 2000. A recommendation for the appointment of an auditor will be made at the May Executive Committee meeting. (Swanson)

• Administrative Services - A revised Fiscal Year 1998 budget was taken to the Executive Committee and full Commission in March to reflect certain changes in revenues, expenditures and matching fund capacity. A preliminary Fiscal Year 1999 budget and work program has been prepared and will be reviewed at the May 21 meeting. The committee has been requested to release the preliminary document for public review, with a hearing to be held on Thursday, June 18, 1998 at 11:30 a.m. The Commission will consider adopting the budget at its June 30 meeting.

Staff and the Commission's attorney reviewed the recently enacted Illinois Procurement Code and related executive orders and determined that NIPC would not be considered a State agency for purposes of these new purchasing requirements. Approximately 12 grants, contracts and subcontracts for the current fiscal year were reviewed, negotiated and executed during the past quarter. Legal review of the new personnel handbook was completed. (Swanson)

• Graphics and Printing - Graphics work was completed on the 1997 annual report. A new regional trail map was prepared for the Illinois Prairie Trail Authority. (Swanson)

• Contributions Program - Request for payment letters for 1998 contributions were sent out earlier this month to most of the region's municipalities, park districts and sanitary districts. Follow-up activity has been initiated for those county and forest preserve district contributions which have not yet been received. (Swanson)
  
  

STORMWATER & FLOODING MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE

• Watershed Mapping for South Cook County - Staff developed a series of GIS-based watershed and land use maps for the South Suburban Mayors and Managers. These maps are being used in a recently initiated stormwater management planning effort. (Dreher)

• 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). A new contract for continuing assistance recently has been initiated. (Dreher)

• Will County Comprehensive Stormwater Plan - Commission staff is assisting the Will County Stormwater Committee in preparing a comprehensive countywide stormwater management plan. The Committee has approved the plan for public review. The plan review period began June 8 and four public meetings are scheduled for July. (Dreher)

• Kane County Comprehensive Stormwater Plan - Commission staff has also been assisting the Kane County Stormwater Management Committee in preparing a comprehensive countywide stormwater management plan. A draft plan recently has been released for public review and a public meeting has been scheduled for June 30, 1998. (Dreher)
  
  

STREAMS & WETLANDS MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE

• 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 held on March 18 in McHenry County drew an attendance of over 200 people. Staff is working on final tasks, including final maps, a final report, and a user-friendly GIS-interface. A request has been submitted to USEPA to extend the project schedule and increase the budget to fund several additional tasks. (Dreher)

• Landowners Handbook for Managing and Restoring Stream Greenways - This handbook was completed this quarter. Approximately 200 copies are being mailed out to local organizations. An additional 400 copies will be made available through the Publications Department. (Dreher)
  
  

TRANSPORTATION - 2020 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN ADOPTION

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 considered the Metra extensions and their relationship to the adopted 2020 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). Staff continued work with the City of Chicago in defining a transportation study for the Edgewater/Rogers Park/near suburban area. (Paige)

WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE

• 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. (Dreher)

• 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. Significant ongoing efforts are being directed to the Kishwaukee River, Blackberry Creek, Waubansee Creek, Butterfield Creek, DuPage River, and Chicago River watersheds. (Dreher)

• Annual Water Quality Activities Report - This report summarizes the various Commission projects and activities related to water quality management. The report is being drafted this quarter. Approximately 1000 copies are being mailed to local governments and other interested organizations. (Dreher)

• Assessment of Commission Water Resource Management Plans - A proposal has been drafted for the initiation of a strategic planning process for water resources. This assessment has been identified as a priority for funding if the Commission's appropriation from the State is approved. (Dreher)

• Alternative Pavement Deicing Materials Brochure - This brochure, documenting impacts and costs and pavement deicing alternatives, was completed this quarter. The brochure is being distributed to local officials and other interested individuals. (Dreher)

• Blackberry Creek Watershed Management Plan - With funding through the Illinois EPA, staff recently began assisting the Blackberry Creek Watershed Committee in the development of a watershed management plan. Flowing through Kane and Kendall counties before discharging to the Fox River, Blackberry Creek is impacted by both flooding and water quality problems caused by a variety of agricultural and suburban impacts. A plan is due in July 1998. (Dreher)