Title
Resolution approving Lake County's participation in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) WaterSense Program.
Staff Summary
· A goal of Lake County's Strategic Plan is to promote a sustainable environment" and further to "preserve the health of our natural resources and our drinking water through the widespread use of sustainable and environmental management practices".
· Lake County has: formed the Lake County Water Supply Advisory Committee, hosted three water supply forums, engaged the Illinois State Geological Survey to map Lake County's geological resources, authored the 2008 State of Lake County's Water Supply report, developed educational public videos about water conservation, and participated in the North and West Lake County Lake Michigan Water Planning Group.
· On July 13, 2010, Lake County joined the Northwest Water Planning Alliance (NWPA), a voluntary partnership formed to address the issues of water supply planning and management in northeastern Illinois.
· The NWPA has joined the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) voluntary WaterSense Promotional Partnership Program, and has requested that member jurisdictions also join the Partnership Program.
· The United Stated EPA WaterSense Promotional Partnership program encourages water efficiency by promoting the use of WaterSense labeled products by residents and businesses as well as other water conservation practices to help protect a community's water supply.
· Staff recommends the Planning, Building and Zoning Committee forward the attached resolution in support of the WaterSense Promotional Partnership Program to the County Board for approval.
Body
WHEREAS, the Lake County Strategic Plan identifies the goal to "promote a sustainable environment" and further calls to "preserve the health of our natural resources and our drinking water through the widespread use of sustainable and environmental management practices"; and
WHEREAS, stewardship of the County's water supply through conservation and efficiency is important to the prosperity of the residents and landowners; and
WHEREAS, Lake County has formed the Lake County Water Supply Advisory Committee, hosted three water supply forums, engaged the Illinois State Geological Survey to map Lake County's aquifers, authored the 2008 State of Lake County's Water Supply report, developed educational public videos and written materials about water conservation, and participated in the North and West Lake County Lake Michigan Water Planning Group; and
WHEREAS, on July 13, 2010, Lake County joined the Northwest Water Planning Alliance (NWPA), a voluntary partnership formed to address the issues of water supply planning and management in northeastern Illinois; and
WHEREAS, the NWPA has joined the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s voluntary WaterSense Promotional Partnership program, and has requested that member jurisdictions also join the Partnership program; and
WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) voluntary WaterSense Promotional Partnership program encourages water efficiency by promoting the use of WaterSense labeled products by residents and businesses as well as other water conservation practices to help protect a community's water supply; and
WHEREAS, your Planning, Building and Zoning Committee has duly reviewed the U.S. EPA WaterSense Partnership Agreement and recommends that the resolution be approved.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS to authorize the Chairman of the County Board to enter into a Promotional Partnership Agreement with the U.S. EPA WaterSense Program with no cost to the County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the County Board shall keep a record of this action.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois on this 13th day of March, 2012.