Wetlands Tour Shows How Bottom-line Profits Can
Mix with Bottomlands Preservation

An unusual mix of homebuilders, conservation advocates, and Illinois state legislators came together for a "Wetlands Walk and Talk" on July 1. Representative Karen May organized the event to showcase local development projects where bottom-line profits mix successfully with bottomlands preservation.

The afternoon was appropriately steamy as nearly 50 people boarded vans for a tour of four sites in the Lake Forest area. Architect-developer Rick Swanson and Lake Forest Open Lands Association's Stephen Christy Jr. emphasized the importance of early cooperation between government, citizen's groups, and developers. Swanson pointed out that preservation of wetlands and woodlands at sites such as Everett Farm, Middlefork Farm, and Amberley Woods, which the group visited, greatly increases the value of the homes in nearby developments. Swanson believes that, given market rates for land, a smaller number of homes selling at a premium price could make the concept work anywhere. "People will pay to live in a beautiful setting," he notes.

Joining May were Representatives Suzanne Bassi, Tom Berns, Beth Coulson, Harry Osterman, and David Winters. At the heart of the debate are efforts to restore protections lost due to a January 2001 Supreme Court decision on isolated wetlands. Rep. May has twice introduced legislation to provide wetland standards, which would allow Illinois to join the 16 other states that have them. Recently, federal legislation on this topic was introduced in the Senate by Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) and in the House by Reps. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) and John Dingell (D-Mich.). The Clean Water Authority Restoration Act of 2002 would restore protections to millions of acres of valuable wildlife habitat.

For information on upcoming state efforts, contact Rep. May at (847) 948-0060. For information on the recent federal legislation, contact Sen. Feingold at (202) 224-5323.

— Rebecca Grill