Illinois Department of Natural Resources to hold second round of Coastal Management Plan workshops

 

November 1, 2005

Special to juliehamos.org

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will be holding its second series of open house/workshops to seek public input in developing a Lake Michigan Coastal Management Program (CMP) for Illinois . IDNR representatives will be present from 2:00 – 8:00 pm at each site. Meetings will include an overview presentation from 2:00 – 3:00 pm and again from 6:00 – 7:00pm.

Four workshops are currently planned:

• Monday, November 14 at East Side United Methodist Church , 11000 Ewing (110th and Ewing), Chicago, in the basement;

• Tuesday, November 15 at Waukegan City Hall, 100 N Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Waukegan, in the 2nd Floor Council Chambers;

• Wednesday, November 16 at Heller Nature Center , 2821 Ridge Road North, Highland Park; and

• Thursday, November 17 at Loyola University's Chicago Lake Shore Campus, 6333 N. Winthrop, in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Simpson Living Learning Center.

The purpose of these workshops is to allow citizens an opportunity to learn what the CMP means for residents, view the final proposed boundary, provide input on the management of the program, and to learn about the grant process.

The goal of the CMP is to enhance the State's role in planning for and managing natural and cultural resources in the coastal region and to support partnerships between federal, state and local agencies and organizations. Upon program approval, Illinois will be eligible to receive nearly $2 million in federal funds annually to enhance and protect the Illinois Lake Michigan Shoreline. Eligible grant recipients include units of local government, area-wide agencies, state agencies, universities, port authorities, basin commission and nonprofit organizations.

If you would like more information, please contact Ms. Tammy Kwiatkoski, CMP Outreach Coordinator, at 312-814-3167 or at tkwiatkoski@dnrmail.state.il.us .