The Cook County Coalition of Lake Associations’ September 9 monthly meeting featured Tim Nelson, Cook County Land Services director. Nelson shared how and why Cook County Planning and Zoning department is being renamed and reorganized.
Cook County Coalition of Lake Associations (CCCoLA) board members were informed of how Land Use permits are issued and how variances are granted. The county ordinances of shore land buffers are a concern of CCCoLA board members because if shore land buffers are not in place, lake water quality declines. The question of what does the county do if lake shore owners do clear cuts or extensive cutting within 40 feet of lake shore, was raised by board members.
CCCoLA represents over 1,000 people through 13 lake groups throughout Cook County. Through a combination of education and action, the CCCoLA board seeks to “preserve and enhance the quality of the waters of Cook County.”
Actions of CCCoLA this year have included working with the Cook County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) to implement calcium testing in lakes and being a community partner for Cook County SWCD Shoreline Grant; working with the Cook County Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force to implement spiny water flea monitoring and giving feedback and suggestions to the task force; and giving donations the fire departments servicing inland lakes, in appreciation of their work.
Next year, CCCoLA will continue to support the Cook County SWCD watershed plan, One Water, One Plan working with Director Ilena Berg. Also, the board will be working with Karen Evens, MPCA, as the Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS) plan is implemented for Cook County watersheds. Volunteers will continue to do lake monitoring for water quality and spiny water fleas.
Summer monthly CCCoLA meetings will continue, starting June 2017. These board meetings are open to anyone interesting in preserving and ensuring the quality of the waters of Cook County.
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