Using Landscape-Level Wetland Assessment to Aid in Local Management of Wetlands for Lake County, Illinois by Juli E. Crane, Glenn H. Westman, and Michael E. Prusila

Abstract

The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) is a planning and regulatory agency that coordinates stormwater management activities on a countywide basis. The SMC staff provide technical assistance, local knowledge and problem-solving skills to coordinate the stormwater activities of over 50 local jurisdictions to enhance water quality, reduce flood damages, mitigate flood hazards, and restore/enhance the natural drainage system. Wetlands are an important, natural component of the county’s stormwater management system. On August 14, 2001, Lake County amended its Watershed Development Ordinance (WDO) to regulate development of isolated waters and wetlands. The amendment was in response to the Supreme Court’s January 9, 2001, decision in Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that most isolated waters and wetlands could no longer be regulated under the federal Clean Water Act. “Isolated Waters of Lake County” (IWLC) are defined as “All waters such as lakes, ponds, streams (including intermittent streams), farmed wetlands, and wetlands that are not under U. S. Army Corps of Engineers jurisdiction” .