2014 STORMWATER UTILITY (LWVGP Issue)

3/26/2014: The 2014 regionally focused feasibility study is a collaborative effort enabled by Peoria County sharing a partial EPA grant with the units of government in Peoria and Tazewell Counties. 13 jurisdictions participated and shared their costs with matching funds. (Note that Morton already has a stormwater utility fee and so didn't participate.) The participating units of local government include: City of Peoria, City of East Peoria, City of West Peoria, City of Pekin, Village of North Pekin, Village of South Pekin, Village of Bartonville, Peoria County, Limestone Township, Cincinnati Township, Hollis Township, Washington Township and Morton Township.
http://www.lwvlmr.org/useful-resources-for-all.html This is a link to the Stormwater Education Project including resources that have general interest about flooding, local surface waters and watersheds, and green infrastructure.
​

Yes, the stormwater proposal includes a potential new monthly "user fee" for better quality of life flood protection and to avoid further contamination of our river and streams.


Why do we need more stormwater management? We already have ditches, underground pipe networks to lakes and ponds, or directly to streams and the river. But, as development occurs and the natural land cover is replaced by hard surfaces -- buildings, parking lots, roads, etc. which increase the amount of the rainfall that runs off; it increases the rate of runoff, it increases the volume of runoff, it alters the quality of the runoff, and it alters the time it takes for runoff to reach the local drainage system. The results of these changes include increased flooding, increased land surface erosion, increased channel erosion, increased pollution in the streams, public health issues related to insects and viruses, and an impact on the overall quality of life in the community.


The feasibility study process that was used in this study included six steps: the development of a stormwater management expenditure plan: data analysis; review of billing options; development of a revenue plan; development of a public education and outreach plan outline; and development of a general draft ordinance. Hear it first here. Get your questions answered. You can also visit the League of Women Voters of Lake Michigan Region for information titled "Stormwater from the Ground Up" which includes information on their presentations on stormwater causing problems for Lake Michigan: http://www.lwvlmr.org/stormwater-education-project.html


-- Cheryl Budzinski