Partridge Creek Watershed Restoration Plan
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Partridge Creek Watershed Restoration Plan January, 2004 Prepared by Tri-County Regional Planning Commission With funding from Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Conservation 2000 Program Executive Summary Partridge Creek and it’s tributaries deliver approximately 30,000 tons of sediment to Upper Peoria Lake on an annual basis (Windhorn, 2003). This sediment fills the navigable channels of the Illinois River, depletes deep water habitat, and creates polluted, murky water that suffocates fish and prevents sunlight from reaching aquatic plants, a necessary start to the food chain of the Illinois River. According to a recent study of the United States Department of Agriculture/Natural Resource Conservation Service, much of this sediment originates in the gullies formed from uncontrolled stormwater runoff from forested, urban, and agricultural land uses. This stormwater and resulting erosion can only be controlled through proper forest management, strategic/low impact development of urban areas, and the adoption of a tri- county unified stormwater ordinance that further restricts post development stormwater runoff. While individual streambanks can be stabilized and pockets of wetlands restored, it will take a great deal of political action and commitment to create the necessary ordinances and proper urban planning to truly reverse the declining trend of local water quality. While soil erosion and sedimentation are the main focus of this report, other water quality and natural resource concerns are addressed. Individual homeowners can have a large collective impact on water quality by reducing fertilizer application on lawns, directing downspouts to pervious surfaces, disposing household chemical pollutants properly, etc. There is also potential for landowners of large and small tracts of land to aid in the preservation of biodiversity of the Partridge Creek Watersheds by utilizing such informational resources as Creating Habitats and Homes for Illinois Wildlife by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. When the action items identified in this plan are engaged, the Partridge Creek Planning Committee expects a dramatic decline in the sediment produced in the Partridge Creek Watershed (600,000 T in 20 years), an improvement in the fresh water species diversity, and an overall heightened awareness of the natural resources that Partridge Creek Watershed has to offer. Partridge Creek Watershed Restoration Plan January, 2004 Table of Contents Mission Statement 1 Acknowledgments/Biographies Planning Committee 3 Technical Advisory Committee 5 Watershed Description 9 Watershed Activities Partridge Creek Watershed Planning 13 Mundinger Creek Project The Nature Conservancy Partridge Creek Project Forest Legacy Program 14 Illinois River Bluffs Ecosystem Partnership Illinois River Basin Restoration Problem Statements & Objectives 15 Action Items Soil Erosion and Sediment Delivery 19 Wildlife/Open Space Preservation 35 Urban Stormwater 45 Groundwater 53 Funding 55 Education 57 Cost Summary 65 Timeline for Watershed Plan Implementation 67 Measuring Progress and Success 69 Natural Resources Inventory Waterbodies 73 Designated Uses 75 Impairments 77 Groundwater Irrigation 83 Drainage Floodplain Boundaries 84 Table of Contents (continued) Municipal/Industrial 84 Riparian Corridor 87 Hydrologic Modifications 88 Stormwater Management Wetlands Fish/Aquatic Invertebrates 93 Soil Classification 99 Soil Erosion 100 Geology 102 Topography 103 Land Use 105 Air Quality 110 Wildlife 115 Socio-Economic/Human Resources 118 European Settlement/History 121 Bibliography 125 Appendixes A – City of Peoria’s Model Stream Buffer Ordinance B – Tri-County Unified Stormwater Model Ordinance (created by the Partridge Creek Watershed Technical Advisory Committee) C – Conservation Funding List by The Nature Conservancy’s Volunteer Stewardship Network Mission Statement The mission of the Partridge Creek Watershed Planning Committee is to develop and encourage the funding and implementation of a long-range watershed management plan among landowners, governmental agencies, public officials, concerned citizens and other appropriate groups. The objectives of the Partridge Creek Watershed Plan are to: • Reduce Soil Erosion/Sedimentation • Improve Water Quality • Preserve Natural Habitats • Protect Farmland • Encourage Stewardship of the Watershed Partridge Creek Watershed Restoration Plan 1 Partridge Creek Watershed Restoration Plan 2 Acknowledgments The creation of this watershed plan was truly a partnership. Citizens, public officials, interest group members, and natural resource professionals from public and private bodies worked together on a volunteer basis to create a watershed plan that empowers all the citizens of the Partridge Creek Watershed to begin the process of restoring the environmental integrity of our land and water. The amount of time spent by these volunteers is valued at $3,500 (350hrs x $10/hr) by the granting agency, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, but to the citizens of the watershed, their time is priceless. As the reader will see in the Committee members’ autobiographies, the technical advisors that helped create this plan are some of the most knowledgeable in the State of Illinois on the subjects of hydrology, ecosystem management and restoration, ordinance development, and wildlife protection. In addition to the technical knowledge and expertise brought to the table, it is well recognized by all partners that a successful plan could not be created without the input of local citizens that understand the history and problems witnessed on a daily basis in the watershed. A very special thank you to all that contributed time and vehicles as we toured the watershed, collected data, and hashed through appropriate actions to restore the Partridge Creek Watershed. -Melissa Eaton, Planner II, Tri-County Regional Planning Commission Biographies Planning Committee Members Don Cavi began his career in environmental health in December of 1996 with Peoria City/County Health Department. In September of 1998, he came to Woodford County Health Department and currently serves as Director of Environmental Health. Mr. Cavi’s educational background includes a Bachelors of Science degree in Community Health Education from Illinois State University and a Master of Science degree in Health Services Administration from University of Saint Francis. He is also an Illinois Licensed Environmental Health Practitioner. Roy Kamp has a degree in Applied Agriculture and has been a farmer for 31 years. Mr. Kamp lives along Mundinger Creek, a tributary to Partridge Creek and his land has been farmed for over 100 years. Deborah Kamp has a degree in Biology from Bradley University and has been a farmer’s wife for 30 years. Mrs. Kamp is a landowner along Mundinger Creek. Caroline Schertz is a former teacher of geology and biology. She is an author and conservation educator. Presently she is a landowner in the headwaters of Partridge Creek and a Woodford County Board member where she heads the Regional Planning Committee. Ms. Schertz is also a commissioner on the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission. Partridge Creek Watershed Restoration Plan 3 Carl Adams grew up in Worth Township and maintains part ownership and management of the family farm. He is a graduate of Caterpillar machinist and engineering training programs. Mr. Adams attended Bradley University and retired from Caterpillar in 1993 as a Senior Project Engineer in the track type tractor division. Mr. Adams served on the Metamora Planning Committee for four years and has been a Village of Metamora Trustee for over twelve years. He has worked with surrounding farmers regarding water runoff problems and has chaired the Woodford County Soil and Water Conservation District. He was awarded the Goodyear Soil Conservation award in 1970 for conservation practiced on the family farm. Mark Jacob graduated from the University of Illinois with a BS and MS in Agronomy. In 1989, he began working for the Soil Conservation Service as a soil conservation technician in Tazewell County. In 1999, he became the district conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Woodford County. Carol Fandel is a landowner in the Partridge Creek Watershed committed to helping preserve our land and water for the future generations. Her late husband, Roger Fandel, and she have always strived to protect their acreage. They were instrumental in establishing waterways, terraces, and water retention basins on their own and rented ground. She will continue to maintain, improve, preserve, and protect our natural resources. Edward Smith has been a landowner in the Partridge Creek Watershed for 40 years where he and his wife raised a family of four children. In the past, Mr. Smith has farmed his land, but in recent years he has transformed the landscape to ten acres of native prairie and 80 acres of timber, and a wetland (over thirty year old) all for the sake of conservation. Edward Smith and Bob Weers at Mundinger Creek on Partridge Creek Watershed Tour Don Meinen has been director of the Tri-County Riverfront Action Forum, Inc. for thirty years. This non-profit organization is dedicated to the optimum development, conservation, and utilization of the Illinois River and its adjacent shoreline for the betterment of the Tri-County community. The Forum has been involved in acquiring more than 670 acres of property along the Illinois River so future generations can enjoy, study, and cherish the natural beauty of the Illinois