The DuPage River and Extreme Weather: Solutions

DuPage County are in the midst of holding a series of public workshops to discuss strategies and solutions to make communities within the East Branch DuPage River Watershed stronger in the face of extreme weather events.

The next event will take place from 6 pm. to 8 p.m. March 9 at Glen Ellyn Public Library, 400 Duane St., Glen Ellyn.

“DuPage County began studying the East Branch Watershed, which encompasses the central portion of DuPage County extending from Addison into Will County, to assess how communities could become more resilient for extreme weather events,” a released from the county states. “The resulting draft East Branch DuPage River Watershed Resiliency Plan provides a comprehensive overview of the watershed, including identification of vulnerabilities and recommendations on how to protect the area against weather extremes.”

“During this initial East Branch study, the County tapped into resources not traditionally included in watershed plans, which entailed exhaustive community outreach efforts,” said DuPage County Stormwater Management Committee Chairman Jim Zay. “Although we now have a draft watershed plan in place, this community engagement is not complete. The County intends to continue working with members of the East Branch communities to identify projects and solutions that will create a stronger, more resilient watershed.”

The two-hour workshop will educate community members about specific initiatives to help communities become more resilient including:

• large-scale infrastructure projects
• localized green infrastructure options
• educational programs among other concepts.

Participants will then have an opportunity to provide their input on both existing options and additional solutions that could work in local communities.

“At the County level, we can help to identify the big ideas, but it really takes involvement from all the pieces that make up a community to become more resilient,” DuPage County Chairman James Zay said in a written release.

The remaining public workshops are:

• Monday, March 9 at Glen Ellyn Public Library, 400 Duane St., Glen Ellyn; and
• Tuesday, March 10 at Trinity Green Trails, 2701 Maple Ave., Lisle.

The draft East Branch DuPage River Watershed Resiliency Plan can be viewed here.