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Regional Response
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Lawrence Creek Watershed Planning Process

Local Lead: Lisa Haderlein, Land Conservancy of McHenry County, 815-337-9502
County: McHenry
Stream segment: Entire
Municipal stakeholders: Harvard
Impairments: Aquatic life support
Potential Causes of Impairment: Cause unknown
Potential Sources of Impairment: Source unknown   

Lawrence Creek is currently impaired and presents the possibility of a worsening condition with expected land use change. The overall object of the Lawrence Creek watershed plan is to recommend BMPs that reduce the causes of current impairments to a specified target point and to recommend techniques that would prevent further degradation (either by the emergence of new causes of impairment or intensification of existing ones). While Illinois EPA has not identified potential causes or sources of impairment, professional judgment suggests that nutrients, sedimentation, and habitat alteration are the most likely issues. As urbanization increases, pathogens will likely cause impairments if  they are not controlled. Recommendations to control existing impairments will be site-specific and will have costs, load reductions, responsible parties, and other implementation details associated with them.

BMPs are divided into urban and rural. The project will identify sites currently in agricultural use that will likely remain in production and those that most likely will be converted to urban uses by the horizon year (2030). The former will be targeted for agricultural BMPs. It is not expected that the plan will focus on urban BMP retrofits. The plan should also consider farmland protection when doing so would meet stakeholder objectives, fit within other planning efforts, etc. The project will attempt to meet all elements of the B-MAG framework; because of limited time and funding, however, the land use and water quality elements will be addressed first. It is the intent of CMAP staff to encourage the incorporation of the Lawrence Creek watershed plan into the Illinois Water Quality Management Plan after due diligence by Illinois EPA.

See the Subwatershed Report for an overview. For additional details on this project, contact Tim Loftus (312-386-8666), Jesse Elam (312-386-8688), or the local lead.

Final Documents (September 2008)

Watershed Group Meeting Materials