Title
Resolution urging the State of Wisconsin to reconsider actions that waive enforcement of or compliance with regulations and laws for the Foxconn/Upstream Development in the headwaters of the Des Plaines River.
Staff Summary
* Earlier this year, the State of Wisconsin passed legislation waiving environmental regulations for and providing various incentives to Foxconn/ Upstream for the construction of manufacturing facilities in the headwaters of the Des Plaines River.
* The development includes (a) filling 26 acres of wetlands without an Environmental Impact Study in an area which will detrimentally impact people and properties within a downstream Lake County area which has suffered significant property damage due to flooding; (b) the diversion of approximately seven million gallons of water per day from Lake Michigan; and (c) the treatment and return of over four million gallons of water per day to Lake Michigan.
* Racine County - which is known for its heavily polluted air and where the Foxconn/ Upstream development will occur - was identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an attainment area which does not require Foxconn/ Upstream to install stringent pollution control equipment.
* Based on concerns regarding the environmental impact of this development, various agencies within the State of Illinois - including the Attorney General - are reviewing potential actions to protect the interests of Illinois with separate resolutions expressing concerns about the development and support for actions to address the concerns.
* The resolution expresses Lake County's concerns, asks the State of Wisconsin to ensure that all existing regulations and laws are uniformly applied in this and future cases, and directs staff to meet its federal, state and local counterparts to discuss the development and its downstream impacts.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the State of Wisconsin recently passed legislation waiving environmental regulations f...
Click here for full text