Before the Wells Run Dry: Ensuring Sustainable Water Supplies for Illinois

This report recommends coordinated planning and implementation strategies that will capitalize on the work of the pilot regional planning groups, integrate regional plans with state and local practices, and ensure the long-term sustainability and efficient use of our finite, fragile water resources. A bottom-up approach supported by local management of… Continue reading

Mclean County Greenways Plan

This plan presents an up-to-date vision for greenways and provides a framework for establishing a regional system of interconnected greenways throughout McLean County and beyond. The plan presents goals and objectives in support of this vision and identifies priority future greenways and potential greenway linkages to other regions. It also… Continue reading

Local Water Policy Innovation

This document focuses on acting locally in order to most effectively address issues that can lead to national or global threats. Solutions are offered on how to get involved in the community, zoning laws, and local regulations and policies.  Local Water Policy Innovation 

Forest Conservation and Management

Forests in our agricultural or urbanized landscapes areespecially vulnerable to degradation. Since 1997, the CTAP biological monitoring program has systematically studied Illinois’ forests. This brochure summarizes the best scienceand data available regarding four major aspects of forest conservation and management.  Forest Conservation and Management

Conservation Design Resource Manual

The goal of this Resource manual is to provide ample information about conservation design principles and practices, and to provide the necessary language to enable communities to implement conservation design at varying levels. The document is structured by practice, so that communities new to conservation design can begin with cautious… Continue reading

Guidance for Developing Watershed Action Plans in Illinois

This manual presents an approach to watershed-based planning designed to ensure that local stakeholders play a central role in the development of comprehensive, multi-issue watershed plans. A watershed approach to planning for and managing land and water resources is not a new idea. The USEPA argues that groups working within… Continue reading

Town of Normal Storm Water Credit Manual

This is a storm water credit manual for the town of normal, that gives contracts and pricing to pay a storm water user fee. As properties are developed, the amount of storm water runoff generated by those properties increases. The increase in runoff produced by developed properties creates a variety… Continue reading

The Smart Watershed Benchmarking Tool

This document distills the lessons learned from around the country into a self-assessment tool to help local communities integrate and align their urban watershed programs to meet their water resource goals. The tool is designed to help local program managers and watershed groups make better decisions on watershed restoration priorities… Continue reading

What Can You Do in Your Home and Yard?

This guide gives information on how to help preserve water quality in your own home and yard area. By following the advice of the pamphlet, residents will be able to better maintain the aquifers and watersheds for future use and a higher quality of drinking water. What Can You Do… Continue reading