MWRD seeks public comment on Cook County Watershed Management Ordinance

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) is presenting the Cook County Watershed Management Ordinance (WMO) for public review. The purpose of the WMO is to establish uniform stormwater management regulations for Cook County, and by doing so, help to prevent flood damages that can result from commercial, municipal, and residential developments. Paved roads, parking lots, walkways, and buildings make cities livable, but they also reduce the amount of land on which water can be absorbed. If communities grow without careful and thorough stormwater planning, sewer systems and local waterways can become overwhelmed and contribute to flooding. The MWRD formed an Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from municipalities, government agencies, and nongovernmental organizations to evaluate and prepare the WMO. The draft WMO incorporates comments received during the 2009 WMO public review period, results received from an Economic Impact Study, and input from the WMO Advisory Committee. Click here for more information, or here to download the WMO.

Please provide comments regarding the draft WMO by August 9, 2013. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods.

By Email: WMOInbox@mwrd.org By Mail to: Catherine A. O’Connor Director of Engineering Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago 100 East Erie Street Chicago, Illinois 60611

In Person: At one of four public hearings (all meetings will be from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.) Wednesday, July 24, 2013 West Central Municipal Conference Northlake City Hall 55 E. North Ave, Northlake

Monday, August 5, 2013 Southwest Conference of Mayors Chicago Ridge Village Hall 10455 S Ridgeland Ave, Chicago Ridge

Wednesday, August 7, 2013 Northwest Municipal Conference Mount Prospect Village Hall 50 S. Emerson Street, Mount Prospect

Thursday, August 8, 2013 South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association 1904 W. 174th Street, East Hazel Crest

To download the media release, click: 13 0715_WMO Advisory_FINAL