It is all about what’s in the lake
Since the expansion of the Lake Committee in June of 2010, the group has organized into many sub-committees working on different initiatives or projects concerning our Lakes. The Committee manages the third party contractor who helps keep aquatic plants in check; we actively participate in the Volunteer Lake Management program; we manage nuisance animals that damage the lake or immediately adjacent land; we manage the fish population and deal with fish kills; we work with and collaborate with local agencies and other communities on common lake issues. Our largest project at this time is the dredging project (Silt Removal Team) that is removing unwanted nutrient-filled silt out of the lake. This project addresses WHAT IS IN THE LAKE and the water depth.
Now that the “9 Lakes Watershed Plan” has been developed and approved by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), we have the requisite plan to apply for Federal and Local funding to help us implement projects addressing WHAT GOES INTO THE LAKE. TLIA and the Village of Tower Lakes are working together to address this issue as it relates to the stormwater that flows from yards and roads and ultimately ends up in the lake, laden with all sorts of pollutants – salt, oil, phosphorous, etc. The Committee’s recent learnings support the need and desire to have all residents and TLIA members be vigilant and proactive to support best practices on their properties to support a common community stormwater plan.
Over the next few months you will see more information and opportunities from the Lake Committee to develop and implement homeowner best practices to manage the stormwater that runs off our roofs and driveways and roads. The Conservation@Home Program has been a hit in Tower Lakes and we will be pushing its expansion. The Village and TLIA are working together to apply for an IEPA grant to develop roadside rain gardens that have PROVEN to reduce pollutants (by up to 90%) in stormwater runoff. Please see related stories on page x from this spring’s “Cattail Chronicles,” a publication from the Lake County Health Department Ecological Services division.