Draft Kane County 2040 Green Infrastructure Plan Energy and Environment Committee November 14, 2013

Draft Kane County 2040 Green Infrastructure Plan Based on Kane County’s legacy of open space and natural resource protection and guided by the Green Infrastructure Vision developed by Chicago Wilderness, the primary objectives of the Green Infrastructure Plan were to create a detailed inventory of natural resources using the latest technology and information; use that information to create a green infrastructure map; work with the County’s natural resources experts to fine tune opportunities; and finally enlist the Kane County Planning Cooperative to develop goals, objectives and actions.

Draft Kane County 2040 Green Infrastructure Plan additions Kane County 2040 Plan, page 23 Recognizing the important role the environment plays in health and building on a strong planning tradition, Kane County moved forward to improve health by increasing the number of small farmers producing and selling fruit and vegetables locally, decreasing the expansion of suburban sprawl, and continuing to improve economic prospects for county residents and organizations. With these ideas, Kane County created the Growing for Kane Program which helps support farms producing fruit, vegetables, dairy and meat for local residents in all locations: rural, suburban and urban; and on all size parcels throughout the county. Parcels and areas identified in the Green Infrastructure plan may be suitable for growing; along with land protection through an agricultural conservation easement.

Draft Kane County 2040 Green Infrastructure Plan additions Green Infrastructure Mapping Process, page 35 Environmental Resource Area (with buffer) Lakes, ponds, rivers, creeks, wetlands, Illinois Natural Area Inventory (INAI) sites, oak woodlands, FEMA 100- year flood hazard areas, and Hydrologic Atlas floods of record. These areas were chosen to be included here because they provide, or have the potential to provide, valuable natural functions such as storm water management, aquifer recharge, water filtration and flora and fauna habitat. Included in this category is a 200- foot buffer around the outside edge of the resource areas with the exception of flood hazard areas and floods of record.

Draft Kane County 2040 Green Infrastructure Plan additions Green Infrastructure Mapping Process, page 35 Private Open Space (with buffer) Land that is privately owned but either precluded from development or is unlikely to be developed based on its current use. Private open space includes subdivision common areas, golf courses, and camps as well as privately owned properties that are permanently preserved such as IDNR Nature Preserves, IDNR Land and Water Reserves, and conservation easements. These areas typically are not open to the general public. Included in this category is a 200-foot buffer around the outside edge of the sites designated as Illinois Nature Preserves and Land and Water Reserves.

Draft Kane County 2040 Green Infrastructure Plan additions Goal: Kane County will continue to preserve its natural resources, page 38 Actions: 4. Promote Integrated Resource Planning among the stakeholders in Kane County and the region as a way to rationalize the management of our natural resources in a cost-effective and sustainable way.

Draft Kane County 2040 Green Infrastructure Plan additions Implementation, page 43 Neighborhood and Site Best Management Practices Reuse of gray water to irrigate plants and to reduce dependence on drinking water supplies.

Draft Kane County 2040 Green Infrastructure Plan removed Appendix 3 Green Infrastructure Map Core Layers, page 68 IDNR Biological Stream Rating Aquifer Sensitivity Areas Hydric Soils

Draft Kane County 2040 Green Infrastructure Plan Next steps Nov. 13 th - Regional Planning Commission approved! Nov. 14 th – Energy & Environment Committee Dec. 10 th –County Board Implementation

Draft Kane County 2040 Green Infrastructure Plan Questions?