As population and development continue to grow in the south and west suburbs, the Hickory Creek Watershed Planning Group is developing recommendations for communities to be mindful of the watershed’s quality.
From Tinley Park and Orland Park, a network of streams and rivers flow into Hickory Creek in Joliet and, eventually, into the Des Plaines River. That network — as well as the homes, businesses and roads around the waterways — makes up the Hickory Creek Watershed, which also includes Homer Glen, New Lenox, Frankfort, Mokena and portions of other municipalities.
What happens in one part of the watershed, whether its pollution or flooding, can affect water quality throughout the network. Hickory Creek is on the state’s list of impaired waters, which means it is not fit for swimming or fishing.
“The whole objective is to get it off the list,” said Bill Eyring, a coordinator for the watershed group.
Last week, the Hickory Creek Watershed Planning Group held a public meeting at the Joliet Area Historical Museum to talk about its recommendations.
In Joliet, officials are working to ensure that water discharged from the waste water treatment plant does not harm the river. Also, the city has been working with the state for 30 years to deepen Hickory Creek to reduce flooding, said Jim Trizna, director of Joliet’s Public Works Department.
A small fraction of the project has been completed, but the work has been held up for the last few years pending permits from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Art Mackay, 83, used to live in the east side neighborhoods where both the Hickory and Spring creeks would occasionally flood homes of the some 1,000 people who lives near the waterways — many of whom are minority or low-income.
For 30 years, he has been working to help revitalize the rivers, which he said used to be where children waded and fished.
“They don’t want flooding in their homes,” said Mackay, a lifelong Joliet resident who now lives on the west side.
Flooding causes pollution in the river because rising water brings debris and pollutants into the system. Management of runoff water and review of septic tanks also were noted in the report as something that municipalities should consider when developing or redeveloping an area.
With population expected to double in the watershed by 2030, organizers said future development should not negatively impact the waterways. Some small things that communities could do to help the watershed include reducing impervious space and promoting open space, which collect rain water and filter through the ground.
For information about the Hickory Creek Watershed, visit www.hickorycreekwatershed.org.
