Resolution 2012-27 Resolution No. 2012- (97
RESOLUTION ENDORSING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
LOWER FOX RIVER LAND CONSERVATION PROJECT PLAN
WHEREAS, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service identify high priority and high risk natural resource areas for protection and potential
funding support as a part of the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan; and
WHEREAS, THE Illinois Wildlife Action Plan identifies the Lower Fox River basin in
Kendall and LaSalle Counties as one of thirty-one Conservation Opportunity Areas (COA) in the
state;
WHEREAS, The Conservation Foundation served to facilitate a Lower Fox River CAO
Planning Steering Committee, comprised of public and private partners from Kendall and
LaSalle Counties, which collaborated to form a unified vision for the protection of high quality
natural areas in the Lower Fox River COA; and
WHEREAS, protecting high quality natural areas and open space will result in
environmental benefits for the community including stormwater runoff and flooding abatement,
better water quality and groundwater recharge, continued wildlife habitat; erosion protection and
WHEREAS, open space can enhance property values, tourism and economic value;
WHEREAS, a unified plan developed through consensus will result in better and more
cost effective open space protection through coordinated planning and more opportunity for
grants and other funding; and
WHEREAS, a majority of governmental planning entities in the Lower Fox COA have
actively participated in providing mapping and staff support to develop the plan;
WHEREAS, it would be advantageous for public entities and private landowners; The
Conservation Foundation and other not-for-profit land conservation organizations to work to
implement this Plan;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council of the
United City of Yorkville that the United City of Yorkville endorses this vision for their
community and agrees to work cooperatively on the implementation of the plan.
Passed by the City Council of the United City of Yorkville, Kendall County, Illinois this
ab day of OC 1 O$Ek, , A.D. 2012.
(Jl Gay-
-C),6PuT y CITY CLERK
Resolution No. 2012-617
Page 1
ROSE ANN SPEARS DIANE TEELING V
KEN KOCH JACKIE MILSCHEWSKI
CARLO COLOSIMO MARTY MUNNS _
CHRIS FUNKHOUSER LARRY KOT
Approved by me, as Mayor of the United City of Yorkville, Kendall County, Illinois, this
c�'7 day of OC7'O$SP, 2012.
A
Resolution No. 2012-0
Page 2
THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
"A Voluntary Land Conservation
Program "
Lower Fox River
Land Conservation
Planning Project
(LFR LCPP)
Fox River Ecosystem Partnership
March 21, 2012
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THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
Lower Fox River
Land Conservation
Planning Project
(LFR LCPP)
"A Voluntary Land
Conservation Program "
Wl'e Save Land. 1 Y'e Save Rivers.
THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
What is the LFR LCPP?
To identify and prioritize parcels of land
for preservation (public or private) that
will have the most impact in preserving
open space and natural areas in the
Lower Fox "Conservation Opportunity
Area"(COA), as defined in the Illinois
Wildlife Action Plan, through a resource
supported, stakeholder driven process.
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THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
Who is leading this
planning effort?
• Planning input and final product by the
Stakeholders' Planning Committee,
including landowners, agency staff,
business owners, etc.
• Facilitation by The Conservation
Foundation
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THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
The Conservation Foundation
Our Mission
To preserve natural areas and open space,
protect rivers and watersheds, and
promote stewardship of our
environment,
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THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
LFR LCPP
Mission
To encourage voluntary actions that
will preserve and protect the highest
quality natural areas in the Lower
Fox River watershed.
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THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
How is this planning project
funded?
• Illinois Clean Energy Community
Foundation grant
• Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. -
In-kind GIS and mapping
• Stakeholders — In-kind participation
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�� .. _ THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
Goals and Objectives:
Develop a prioritized list of potential parcels to be
�� _ preserved in the LFR COA
• Develop a list of potential preservation entities and
funding sources
• Create tools for use in future planning and protection
efforts: GIS map of parcels & stakeholders' interactive
website to update progress
• Obtain endorsement of plan from local private and public
entities
• Encourage a stronger understanding of protection of
natural resources
THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
What is the
IL Wildlife Action Plan?
(IL — WAP)
• US FWS, 2005 — develop strategic plan with a focus on
wildlife in greatest need of conservation in the state
(http://dnr.state.il.us/orc/wildliferesources/theplan)
• Fed. conservation and wildlife project grants
• Species, habitat, problems, actions needed,
monitoring and responding to assessments,
coordination between agencies and with broad public
participation.
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THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
What is a
Conservation Opportunity Area
(COA) '*P
• State WAP plan organized by COA's for
assessment and implementation (31)
• Areas defined as areas having wildlife
fi
and habitat of statewide importance,
willing partners, financial and human
resources, conservation purpose an
objectives
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121 ,699 acres
190.2 sq. mi.
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THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
Why a Lower Fox River
Conservation Opportunity Area ?
• 1 of 31 in IL (Aug., 2010 — "Outdoor Illinois")
• Threat*
Loss of Habitat
• Conservation Priority*
Stream protection
• Planning importance*
Presence and leadership of Partners
(* An Assessment of IL COA's, IDNR, 2009)
Wle Save Land. Ve Save Rivers.
THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
Why a Lower Fox River
the 36 miles from Yorkville to the
- - Illinois River at Ottawa is one of the
most physiographically and botanically
interesting areas in the state of IL"
(Native Habitat Inventory, Lower Fox River,
1999) IDNR)
Ile Save Land. Wle Save Rivers.
THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
Why a Lower Fox River
Conservation Opportunity Area ?
Steep glacial till and sandstone bluffs
Wetlands, fens and seeps
Prairie plateaus
Native flora and fauna
Forested bluffs
Unique geological formations
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•'• Aesthetic, environmental, economic implications
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THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
How will priority areas
be identified?
• Through the Stakeholders Committee
discussion process, criteria will be
developed to identify high quality and
related areas that may have priority for
preservation.
• Assistance of Technical Advisory Comm.
• Assimilation of existing open space and
related plans, ie. municipal, county, FP, PD
THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
What happens if a land parcel
is identified in the plan?
• Identification of a parcel does not determine or
require any specific action — any future action is
strictly voluntary
• Publicly-owned: plan supports effort for future
funding for maintenance, development,
expansion, etc.
• Privately-owned: plan supports landowner's
rights and ability to sell or protect by easement
when/if desired
1 le Save Land. Ile Save Rivers.
THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
What Benefits are there to
Completing this Plan?
• Coordinated effort to review priority lands for
potential future protection in the Lower Fox
River area
• Potential funding sources and protection
methods identified
• Future potential of enhanced sale or protection
opportunities
• Increased awareness of natural area protection
Wl'e Save Land. Wl'e Save Rivers.
THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
Who will be the ultimate owners of
protected land?
• Location, availability of funding sources,
desires of property owners will all help
determine ultimate ownership/easement
• Governmental — Public - municipalities,
counties, park districts, state of IL —
ownership or easement
• Non-governmental — private landowners -
conservation easements
THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
Contacts
• Brook McDonald, President and CEO
• Dan Lobbes, Director of Land Protection
• John Church, LFR LCPP Project Manager
The Conservation Foundation
Ph. 630-553-0687 or 630-428-4500
j church @the cons ervationfo undation.org
www.theconservationfoundation.org
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Map Legend
Publicly Owned and Protected -
Privately Owned and Protected \•`�r
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0 Previously-ldentified Open Space Opportunity
Additional Open Space Opportunity ` • � '• ;- L ,,
Conservation Opportunity Area Boundary r-
Boundary for Buffer Area . s.
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° Lower Fox River
.° - _.. Conservation Opportunity Area : 4