North Barrington Recognized for Improved Drainage, Water Quality

The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) has selected the village of North Barrington as the recipient of its 2012 “Community of the Year Award.”

In an email to North Barrington’s President Albert Pino, Susan Vancil, Communications Manager for SMC announced that the village is being recognized for its “on-going efforts to improve drainage and water quality in the village and in the Flint Creek Watershed.”

The statement commended the village “for identifying several bridge and culvert replacement projects to minimize flood damage for its residents. Woodland Drive and Signal Hill were recently replaced and others are currently in the planning and engineering phases. The Village has also made a long-term commitment to doing its part to protect Flint Creek with efforts to remove invasive species and debris jams, improve water quality and stream restoration

“The village’s award-winning ‘Watershed Best Management Practices Handbook’ created as a guidance document for natural area management and protection of the watershed is a valuable tool for educating and promoting effective practices to improve and protect Flint Creek Watershed.”

The e-mail further stated the handbook “helps educate various stakeholder groups (business owners, residents, developers and municipalities) about the various practices that can be used for the restoration and protection of the watershed with pollution prevention, stormwater management, ground water protection and stream and surface water protection.”

Pino said storm water issues were an important part of the discussion of how to control water on the Dimucci Family Property where the land owners want to build a shopping center. He said he was informed by the county that the restrictions placed on the property are the most stringent in Lake County. Pino added, “I am not only concerned about storm water management for North Barrington residents but also for people living in nearby communities.”

A formal presentation of the Stormwater Management Commission award will be made at a reception to be held by the Commission on November 8. The award was first presented in 2006.

Press Release from Dan Friedlander