8 NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Natural resources are positive components of any de- velopment and add value where integrated appropri- ately into development projects. This harmonious coexistence begins with a good understanding of our natural environment.

This chapter will examine topics such as air quality, water resources, energy resources, floodplains, stream bank erosion, local food and urban gardening. It will also identify the potential environmental concerns or threats such as gas pipelines and hydraulic fracturing.DRAFT

117 KEY FINDINGS

Bloomington faces two challenges in managing the public water sup- As calculated by the Ecology Action Center, as of 2008 residents of ply. The short-term need is to mitigate the effects of high nitrate lev- Bloomington accounted for 31% of greenhouse gas emissions pro- els in Lake Bloomington. This requires reducing nitrate infiltration duced by electricity use. 61% of emissions were from commercial from watershed and agricultural runoff, and ongoing improvements users, 5% from industry, and 3% from local government use of elec- to water treatment systems. The long-term challenge is adding public tricity. Private sector users produce nearly all emissions caused by water supply sources to meet the need of a growing community, by transportation. preserving current resources and identifying new sources for water.

The McLean County Landfill #2 is scheduled for a 2017 closure upon The growth of the City of Bloomington has often been achieved by reaching its capacity of nearly 4 million cubic yards. Annual volume converting farmland into new development. Historically, the City in the landfill has been 90,000 tons, equaling 300 tons per day. Dis- expands in area at a faster rate than it grows in population. Much cussion of alternative disposal sites is underway, with locations out- of the farmland that surrounds the City is highly productive, and side of McLean County under consideration. development there results in the loss of all the food it might grow in DRAFTthe future.

118 The natural environment is com- development. This process produced the systems and promotion of “green building” glacial till plain that is prevalent in central prised of vegetation, soils, water, plants, McLean County Regional Greenways Plan. Up- techniques and guidelines in new develop- Illinois. Land is nearly level or gently rolling wind, energy and air. Also included as part of dated and approved in September of 2009, ment projects. with some instances of steeper slopes being the natural environment are all living things the McLean County Greenways Plan established Most conservation areas within the present adjacent to stream valleys and drain- that interact within this sphere. In other a vision for a regional system of greenways urban boundaries are privately developed age ways as along Sugar Creek at the City’s words, it is the habitat in which all living which includes the City of Bloomington. The and owned. There are conservation areas in southwestern edge. Other low-level topogra- things exist. It is contrasted with the built en- plan urged that all municipalities within the the Lake Bloomington and Evergreen Lake phy can be found along the streams, creeks vironment, which comprises components of County make conservation and the envi- watersheds but those areas are also privately and tributaries that flow within the City materials that are created by human society. ronment a priority through the use of best owned or owned and maintained by McLean boundaries. Higher elevations of the City can This chapter will examine the present local management practices when possible. The County Parks and Recreation. The Park- be found where glacial moraines are present. natural environment and what it means to need to preserve and expand all types of open Lands Foundation owns and maintains two These areas include Prairie Vista Golf Club future planning for the City of Bloomington. spaces is important for a community like conservation areas in the Lake Bloomington (southern section), Downtown Bloomington, This chapter considers the natural Bloomington. Conservation techniques were watershed (Merwin Preserve and Lexington and the Central Illinois Regional Airport and resources on which City services depend and urged on all development of open space as Prairie) and three conservation areas in the the Far East side (see Figure 8.2). which provide the raw materials for those well as increased public education efforts of Evergreen Lake area (Chinquapin Bluffs, According the Natural Resource services. Natural resources may also be used how the built and natural environment can Letcher Basin and Ridgetop Hill Prairie Na- Conservation Service (NRCS), the City is by public utilities and private companies to function together. “Priority” greenway devel- ture Area). dominated by soil types that require special provide services, such as energy. While the opment was insisted that included the devel- County conservation areas which lie designs, construction or maintenance prac- natural environment influences how we live opment and restoration of waterways, natural within the reservoir watersheds include Deer tices to maintain structural integrity and in Bloomington, the existence of an urban- areas, and human-made green space that may Island, Lake View, Mallards Bay, Six-Mile building safety. Many of the local soil types ized area like the City of Bloomington also be developed in various areas determined to Creek, Southeast Conservation Area, South- drain poorly and special care must be taken produces impacts on the surrounding natural be environmentally “threatened.” Priority west Conservation Area and White Oak. to ensure the drainage capacity is improved. environment. greenways exhibit at least one or more of the However, the City’s subdivision TOPOGRAPHY, SOILS AND LAND following features: benefits multiple commu- ordinances provide safeguard provisions to GREENWAYS COVERAGE nities, completes an existing greenway, creates overcome any physical limitations of the Greenways are defined as a linear new connections, assists wildlife, preserves The terrain within the City of Bloom- land. For example, all residential construc- open space, natural corridor (such as a water quality, prevents flood damage, buffers ington is highly compatible for most urban tion must comply with the City’s stormwater riverfront, stream or valley), or railroad right- an existing preserve, is located in a scenic development. The topography allows for utility regulation which stipulates steps to im- of-way converted for recreational use. It can or historic area, provides a trail extension gravity flow sewers in the majority of the prove urban drainage and prevent flooding. also be a natural or landscaped course for opportunity or has special implementation City, although lift stations are necessary in When building, landowners and developers pedestrian or bicycle passage, or a connector potential as a greenway (see Figure 8.1). some areas of the City where the terrain is are required to comply with a requirement to for linking parks, nature preserves, cultural Some of the goals and objectives of steeper than normal. Development on very present the City with an erosion control plan features or historic sites with populated areas. the plan include the adoption of local ero- flat land can cause “ponding” or flash flood- outlining measures they will take to prevent The City, the Town of Normal and sion control ordinances,DRAFT completion and up- ing and on highly-sloped areas can produce erosion and sediment runoff on site. The McLean County engage in an ongoing date of watershed studies for both Evergreen erosion hazards during building, street or City has the added option to require more planning process to examine the relationship Lake and Lake Bloomington watersheds, con- road construction projects. Most of McLean stringent measures if lots are found to be between the natural environment and urban tinued expansion of local and regional trail County and the City is located within the even more susceptible to drainage problems. 119 Figure 8.1 Priority Greenways

Fort Jesse Rd Rd

College Ave Airport

White Oak Rd

Hovey Ave General Electric Rd Mitsubishi Mtwy Mitsubishi

Emerson St Pkwy Veterans

Towanda Ave Market St Empire St

Locust St

Washington St

¨¦§55 Oakland Ave

Hershey Rd

Lincoln St Rd Barnes Towanda

Morris Ave Morris Center St Center

Six Points Rd Dr Streid Ireland Grove Rd

Fox Creek Rd Hamilton Rd

Main St Morrissey Dr Priority Future Greenways Types

Natural Space Bloomington City Limits

Open Space: Parks Parks ¨¦§74 DRAFTOpen Space: Other Streams Streets Open Space: Trails Source: McGIS

120 Figure 8.2 Elevation

College Ave

General Electric Rd Airport Rd Airport

Emerson St

Towanda Ave Empire St Market St

Locust St Veterans Pkwy Veterans

Washington St

Oakland Ave Oakland Ave

Main St Main

Mercer Ave Mercer

Hershey Rd Hershey Morris Ave Morris Ireland Grove Rd

Hamilton Rd

958 ft above Sea Level

602 ft above Sea Level ´ Streets DRAFT Lakes

Source: McGIS; MCRPC

121 Figure 8.3 Flood Hazard Areas

Gregory St Fort Jesse Rd Main St Main

College Ave

White Oak Rd Rd Airport

Hovey Ave

Mitsubishi Mtwy Mitsubishi General Electric Rd

Emerson St Rd Barnes Towanda

Empire St

Market St St Center

Towanda Ave Washington St

Oakland Ave

Hershey Rd Hershey

Mercer Ave Mercer Morris Ave Morris

Six Points Rd Veterans Pkwy Ireland Grove Rd

Fox Creek Rd Hamilton Rd

Streets Bloomington City Limits Morrissey Dr

Main St Main Streams

Ramp Lakes 0.2% Probability of Flooding Each Year ¯ DRAFT1% Probability of Flooding Each Year

Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency, McGIS

122 FLOODPLAINS area waterways along with best management Historically, nitrate levels in Lake tersheds rich in natural filtration from soils, practices for addressing flood and pollutant Bloomington have seasonally exceeded EPA sands and plants need to be preserved or Floodplains provide an important potential during storm events. Enforcement regulatory standards. The majority of the maintained. When this is not possible, every natural area for drainage. When left in a rules and penalties for owners who fail to watershed area for both of the city’s reservoirs effort should be made to include natural natural state, a floodplain can function as a address these concerns is also part of the lies in active agricultural areas, which can add plantings and natural drainage features to the natural drainage area for stormwater runoff ordinance. The City of Bloomington has not nitrates and additional pollutants to the po- built environment to reduce the effects of ur- as well as provide an area for wildlife habi- yet adopted a stream buffer ordinance. tential water supply. The reservoirs can lose a banization that adversely affect the potential tat, trails and a scenic area within the urban fraction of their volume to siltation. water supply. area. Because of these reasons and the fact WATER SUPPLY AND MANAGEMENT As part of the compliance agreement In April of 2004, the City approved that floodplains are not conducive for devel- Sources of drinking water include with the Illinois Environmental Protection the Storm Water Utility fee. The fee created opment, construction of any type should be rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, Agency (IEPA), the City maintains regulatory a major source of dedicated revenue which prohibited in or near a designated floodplain springs and wells. The City of Bloomington’s compliance of nitrate levels by careful reser- supports stormwater management in an (see Figure 8.3). primary sources for water are Lake Blooming- voir management. equitable manner. Residential properties If for any reason construction is ton and Evergreen Lake. The raw water from The City water department has are assessed the fee based on the gross size required in or near a floodplain, the project the lakes is treated at the Lake Bloomington partnered with the Nature Conservancy, area of their parcels while commercial, industrial must be insured under the National Flood In- Water Treatment Plant and delivered to cus- landowners and various other institutions and institutional customers pay based on the surance Act. The City has made every effort tomers in Bloomington, Towanda, Hudson, and organizations to build “constructed wet- estimates of each parcel’s impervious areas. to conform to these regulations. Blooming- and Bloomington Township. lands” to study the causes of nitrates. These The money assessed from this fee is used to ton’s floodplain is generally located along the Average daily pumpage from Bloom- wetlands, built in targeted agricultural fields, support stormwater management. north, south and southwest areas of the City. ington water sources is approximately 11.5 have been proven to remove over 50 percent City of Bloomington staff undertook Its floodplain area is the tributaries and small million gallons per day (MGD). Both lakes of inflowing nitrates from underground tiles a strategic water study to address the issue of streams of Sugar Creek. The floodplain is have a combined drainage area of 131 square that would likely enter the watersheds of Six supply. The study focused on long-term water inter-dispersed in narrow areas in the north miles and a combined capacity close to 7.5 Mile and Money Creeks. demand, supply and management and a fore- central section of the City. Although it does billion gallons. Other potential reservoir pollutants cast for future water needs, which includes not sit within the immediate City boundar- The Lake Bloomington reservoir is include pollution that originates in a specific potential use of the Mahomet Aquifer. The ies, segments of the Kickapoo Creek have fed by runoff from 70 square miles of land location, such as industrial or factory waste/ City also adopted as “emergency response been identified as flood hazard areas, partic- while the drainage area for Evergreen Lake runoff (point source pollution) and pollu- ordinance” which addresses steps and actions ularly just to the southwest of the City (see is 41 square miles. In 1988 and 2005, the tion that comes from more than one source to be taken in occurrences of future water Figure 8.3). area experienced significant droughts. These (non-point source). Examples of non-point emergencies. Efforts have also been made Communities utilize stream buffer or- events alerted the City to two areas of con- source pollution are pollutants that drain requiring all septic systems on Lake Bloom- dinances to protect the flood plains. McLean cern, finding new sources for water to sup- into the watersheds such as lawn fertilizers, ington property to be brought up to current County adopted a stream buffer ordinance port population growth and addressing high car oils, trash, agricultural runoff (pesticides, code when a lake lease transfer takes place. in July of 2010 for the unincorporated areas. nitrate levels in Lake Bloomington. The City herbicides, animal waste), and urban runoff Another recommendation of the study was The Town of Normal also incorporated a initiated a Water DRAFTSupply Plan that takes into (rain water that comes from draining from the implementation of a long-term lake man- similar ordinance in April of 2008. These consideration available water supplies, water buildings, sidewalks, streets and parking lots). agement program in partnership with the ordinances assigned numerical designations quality, management and water infrastruc- (EAC) Urban runoff is a threat to watersheds University of Illinois that addresses nitrogen, to local streams and waterways which are ture. because it can change water flow paths. Wa- phosphorus and other potential pollutants. used to identify flow and flood potential of 123 The study also recommended the de- the Illinois River to the west all the way to velopment of a water conservation plan that the eastern border of Illinois (see Figure 8.5). identified water conservation measures such Several cities and counties within the aquifer as separate rates to encourage the reduction use it for a primary water source. The supply of water usage. High-level users would be is used by municipalities and for irrigation charged a different user rate than average or purposes. Daily usage estimated by the low-use customers. Illinois State Water Survey stands at approx- To address the need for additional imately 100 MGD. Population projections water supply, the City has increased the suggest that by 2020, the aquifer may increase capacity of Evergreen Lake by one-third (one usage by an additional 100,000 gallons a day billion gallons). The City has also developed meaning close to 900,000 people could be the Mackinaw River pumping pool which can pumping water from the aquifer daily. This pump water from the Mackinaw River into includes additional demands from Bloom- Evergreen Lake under certain conditions as ington as well as Springfield, Decatur and outlined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engi- Danville. neers permit. Since 1994, the City has been The Illinois State Water Survey exploring additional water supplies through- estimates the sustained daily yield for the out McLean County. The effort has entailed Mahomet Aquifer could result in over-usage an aggressive test drilling initiative due to a in any localized area if the aquifer is not groundwater research project which identi- resupplied during times of high water usage fied potential underground water locations or in instances of drought. The Mahomet (see Figure 8.4). Some observation wells have Aquifer Consortium is a group of local repre- been in place for close to 20 years. sentatives keeping a line of communication Test wells have been drilled after in- open with the ISWS to monitor the situation tense study of subsurface conditions. During closely. the process, careful attention is paid to the For the foreseeable future, the City materials extracted from the test “hole” that plans to utilize its two reservoirs as its prima- may indicate acceptable water volumes. This ry sources for water. No matter how much process develops what is known as a “log” for high-quality, low nitrate water could be future reference. Depending on the results, tapped from the Mahomet Aquifer or other some test sites will be developed into moni- sources, the City must still meet its nitrate toring wells for future exploration. The best standard at its water treatment plant. At pres- situation for establishing a well is when an ent, there is no reasonable or economically DRAFTaquifer is discovered below a shallower aqui- feasible way to pump water from the Mahom- fer that surrounds an operable domestic well. et Aquifer to be blended at the treatment The Mahomet Aquifer is a groundwa- plant. The City has no financially feasible Figure 8.4 Water Supply Exploration Areas Source: City of Bloomington, Interim Water Supply Plan, January 2010 ter source for water that stretches just beyond option other than removing the nitrate with 124 present treatment equipment. The alternative as utilizing already-mentioned back-up water would be to construct a new wastewater or sources (see Figure 8.6). dilution system which is cost prohibitive. As previously mentioned, the City’s The surface water supply in Bloom- reservoir system is fed by water from local ington has been designed to provide over one watersheds. A watershed is defined as a year’s worth of water. If additional water is basin-like landform that descends into lower needed in the near future, a likely first option elevations and stream bodies. The “shed” car- for a secondary supply will come from the ries rain water into creeks, rivers and ditches. development of a high capacity well-field at This water can also be channeled into soils the McLean-Tazewell County line area as well and groundwater which makes its way into

DRAFT

Figure 8.5 Mahomet Aquifer Figure 8.6 Future Regional Water System Source: Mahomet Aquifer Consortium Source: City of Bloomington, Interim Water Supply Plan, January 2010 125 Figure 8.7 Streams and Watersheds

North Fork Vermilion River

Rooks Creek

Buck Creek-Mackinaw River

Sixmile Creek-Mackinaw River

Mud Creek-Mackinaw River

Money Creek Henline Creek-Mackinaw River Bloomington City Limits Streets Lakes Little Mackinaw River-Mackinaw River Streams McLean County Watershed West Fork Sugar Creek Buck Creek-Mackinaw River Drummer Creek-Sangamon River Henline Creek-Mackinaw River Drummer Creek-Sangamon River Kickapoo Creek Little Mackinaw River-Mackinaw River Sugar Creek Money Creek Mud Creek-Mackinaw River North Fork Salt Creek North Fork Vermilion River Kickapoo Creek Panther Creek Rooks Creek North Fork Salt Creek Sixmile Creek-Mackinaw River South Fork Vermilion River Upper Salt Creek Sugar Creek Upper Salt Creek Upper Vermilion River DRAFT West Fork Sugar Creek ¯

Source: McGIS

126 larger water bodies. lishing watershed restoration projects in the these resources comes with its own set of nuclear power (see Figure 8.8). Nearly an McLean County contains 17 of these area as well as implementing test projects to benefits and concerns in terms of the energy equivalent amount of electricity is produced watersheds (see Figure 8.7). The city reser- improve best management practices. (i.e., provided, the impact of the extraction of from coal-fired generating plants. Both nu- voirs are mainly supplied by water flowing Bloomington’s Grove at the Kickapoo Creek the resource, and the impact of the use of clear and coal electricity generation produce into the Evergreen and Lake Bloomington Restoration Wetland). the resource to generate energy. Each is also environmental impacts and long-term conse- watersheds by the Six Mile Creek-Mackinaw dependent upon the development of the quences. ENERGY River, Money Creek and Buck Creek-Mack- appropriate infrastructure to process, produce A substantial portion of our energy inaw River watersheds. It is of the utmost The natural environment of McLean and transmit the resulting energy. usage is in the form of fossil fuels (see Fig- importance that these watersheds are con- County and the area around Bloomington Energy production and consumption ure 8.9). This includes petroleum products, tinually monitored for supply and pollutants offers a broad array of local energy sourc- starkly illustrate the complex relationships natural gas and coal, either used in electricity in order that the cleanest water possible es. Some have been exploited since early among natural resources, environmental generation, or as fuel for vehicles and indus- is flowing into the reservoirs. The City is in the City’s history, and others have only capacity and urban growth. In Illinois, nearly trial and farm equipment. making continuous efforts to do so by estab- recently been recognized and used. Each of half of electricity generation is produced by In evaluating the planning implica-

DRAFT

Figure 8.8 Illinois Energy Production by Source Figure 8.9 Illinois Energy Consumption by Source Source: Energy Information Administration Source: Energy Information Administration

127 tions of energy production and consumption the use of fossil fuels is the connection to large scale-energy usage such as electricity for the urban area. The study was prepared for the City, it is important to remember that greenhouse gas production and impacts on generation predominantly through the use for the City of Bloomington and the Town the energy market is large-scale; energy pro- air quality. The use of fossil fuels is a major of fossil fuels, industry and transportation of Normal, and uses 2008 as its baseline data duced locally is transmitted through regional contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.1 As comprise 80% of greenhouse gas emissions. year. and national systems, and costs are deter- shown in Figure 8.10, at the national level Use by individuals and business outside the Using an accepted aggregate mea- mined at a global scale. Similarly, decisions industrial sector and agriculture account for surement that includes weighted values for regarding the equity and safety of energy the remaining 20%. EPA notes that land use, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, production are based in state and national land use change, and forestry in the United and excluding other greenhouse gases that policy, on which regional and local interests States is a net greenhouse gas sink and offsets contribute a very low percentage of emis- may have little influence. For Bloomington, a approximately 15% of these greenhouse gas sions, the EAC analyzed energy uses by local focus on impact mitigation and lower-impact emissions. As noted above, the proportion governments, and commercial, residential alternative energy sources may best identify of nuclear electricity generation in Illinois is and industrial users. With respect to electrici- energy issues on which the City can exert well above the national average, thus shifting ty use, the analysis correlated to the emission direct influence. the allocation of greenhouse gas sources for of metric tons (or 2,204.6 pounds) of carbon the state. The extensive agricultural land use dioxide equivalent greenhouse gases. The Fossil Fuel Use and Environmental Impact in the state (less directly tied to fossil fuel use) data used is provided by the electric utilities.2 Among the issues raised regarding may produce proportionately higher emis- For Bloomington, the analysis resulted in the sions than are found nationally. following distribution of emissions, where Figure 8.11 U.S. Energy-Related Carbon The U.S. Energy Information Ad- MT CO2e denotes the total metric tons of Dioxide Emissions by Major Fuel, 2012 ministration looks at 2012 emissions for the carbon dioxide equivalent emissions due to Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, greenhouse gas carbon dioxide released due electricity use in the base year. Monthly Energy Review, preliminary 2012 data to energy production, analyzed by fuel, as shown in Figure 8.11. Petroleum products (crude oil, gasoline, diesel, propane, jet fuel, ethanol, and other liquid fuels) produce more than 40% of the total emissions, followed by coal and natural gas. This further details the contribution of fossil fuels as contributors to greenhouse gases when used for energy production. To bring the energy picture into Footnotes: local perspective, the Ecology Action Center 1) U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Figure 8.10 Total U.S. Greenhouse Gas (EAC) has conducted a study of local condi- Department of Energy, at http://www.eia.gov/energy- Figure 8.12 DistributionDRAFT of Natural Gas tions, the Bloomington-Normal Greenhouse explained/index.cfm?page=environment_where_ghg_ Emissions by Economic Sector in 2012 Source: Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, U. S. Storage Facilities, by Type Gas Inventory, which examines the energy come_from 2) See Bloomington-Normal Greenhouse Gas Inven- Environmental Protection Agency at http://www.epa. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, uses of the local governments and other tory for a detailed discussion of the methodology and gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/sources.html. Underground Gas Storage Report sectors and assess greenhouse gas emissions data limitations. 128 Figure 8.13 year the City was producing three times as concludes with a comparison of 2008 per natural gas locally, but geologic structures Emissions Due to Electricity Use much greenhouse gas emissions as the Town capita greenhouse gas emissions for the ur- here provide for significant natural gas as a result of transportation. ban area, Illinois and the United States. The storage capacity. Nicor Gas Company (Nicor) 2008 Figure 8.14 Bloomington-Normal per capita emission maintains underground natural gas storage MT % of total level of 17.3 MT CO2e is slightly below the reservoirs at several locations in northern Mc- Use Sector CO2e emissions Emissions Due to Transportation, Private and Public Sector Users Illinois level of 18.6 MT CO2e, and apprecia- Lean County. These storage facilities take ad- Commercial 496,919 61% bly below the U.S. per capita emissions level vantage of deep aquifer formations of porous % of Industrial 40,126 5% of 22.2 MT CO2e. rock sequestered under an impermeable rock 2008 total cap, within which natural gas can be stored Residential 249,932 31% ENERGY SOURCES – IMPACTS & Fuel MT emis- under pressure.3 As shown in Figure 8.124, ISSUES Local Government 23,709 3% Sector Type CO2e sions Illinois is a primary location for gas storage in Total emissions 810,687 Mixed not 420,453 98% The finding in the Ecology Action aquifers. Source: Ecology Action Center, Bloomington- residen- specified Center report that local greenhouse gas The storage of natural gas allows Normal Greenhouse Gas Inventory, June 2014. tial, com- production as of 2008 is lower than state Nicor to maintain supply to accommodate mercial, and national averages is an encouraging seasonal variations in demand, and to regu- industrial Commercial and residential users development, although it should be tested late the volume of natural gas in the pipeline (VMT) produce 92% of Bloomington’s greenhouse against other measurements of energy de- system. gas emissions resulting from electricity use. Amtrak not 594 0.1% mand between 2008 and the present day. Use of the underground storage Local government use and industry produce specified These measurements may include but need capacity relies upon pipeline systems and an not be limited to construction activity, injection facility north of Normal. the remaining 8%. Connect diesel 3,114 0.7% industrial production levels and economic One potential impact of underground The inventory also calculates the Transit source of emissions due to transportation, activity. More recent data on energy demand natural gas storage mirrors the impact of City of diesel, 3,334 0.8% based on total vehicle miles traveled by speci- for comparison to 2008 may also be useful naturally-occurring gas deposits. This can Blooming- gasoline fied entities, and by fuel types. Emissions due in evaluating policies with respect to energy include migration of natural gas into public ton to transportation are overwhelmingly sourced management. The EAC report notes several and private water wells, which can in turn from the private sector. In considering the Town of diesel, 1,060 0.2% initiatives to address greenhouse gas emission make the wells unusable as a water source. emissions produced by the local governments Normal gasoline reduction, including the development of the This is of concern to users of private wells, but may also have implications for ongoing through use for transportation, noted in BNWRD diesel, 144 0.0% City of Bloomington Bicycle Plan. water supply planning. Figure 8.13, in the baseline year the City was gasoline The various energy sources available producing triple the greenhouse gas emis- to Bloomington also present challenges Total 428,699 and issues beyond the direct environmental Footnotes: sions as the Town of Normal due to trans- Emissions 3) “The Basics of Underground Natural Gas Stor- portation activity. This level of emissions impact of their use. Current issues arising age,” U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Source: Ecology Action Center, Bloomington-Nor- through City transportation use was dispro- with respect to specific energy sources are Department of Energy, at http://www.eia.gov/pub/ mal Greenhouse GasDRAFT Inventory, June 2014. discussed below. oil_gas/natural_gas/analysis_publications/storageba- portionately high compared to use by Nor- sics/storagebasics.html. mal. (In 2010 Bloomington was nearly 50% The EAC report also examines com- Natural Gas 4) U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. larger in land area than Normal, and nearly munity scale emission inventory results, and Department of Energy at http://www.eia.gov/cfapps/ 1½ times as populous, but in the baseline McLean County does not produce ngqs/images/storage_2011.png. 129 Although the Nicor gas storage areas Oil transportation and agriculture, creates green- tial national resource, with massive mining are not in proximity to the City, elements of house gas emissions, which are a continuing operations in the mountain west and Appa- As is the case with natural gas, Mc- the pipeline network are, and the entire sys- issue for the health of the community. lachia supplying national and international Lean County does not produce oil or petro- tem is an important component of the energy demand, with additional production across leum products. However, the construction Coal infrastructure that influences the quality of the southern plains and Midwest. As of 2012, of the Enbridge, Inc. Southern Access Ex- life for City residents. While the geology of As noted in the Historic Context Illinois was the fifth largest coal producing tension Pipeline, expected to be completed McLean County provides a local resource chapter, Bloomington was a coal-produc- state in the nation, producing slightly more in 2015, will carry crude oil through our for natural gas management, it also creates ing city for some sixty years, beginning just than one-tenth the tonnage of Wyoming, area, to the east and south of Bloomington some constraints on development. Nicor has after the Civil War and continuing well the most productive coal state6. As discussed (see Figure 8.13). The Enbridge project has expressed concerns regarding urban growth into the 20th century. Figure 8.14 illustrates above, in Illinois coal produces half of elec- been in development for several years, and in close proximity to its injection facility and the extent of coal mining on the west side tric power generation. Coal mining continues has been approved by the Illinois Commerce monitoring wells, due to maintenance pro- of Bloomington between 1867 and 1927. as a viable industry in central Illinois, notably Commission, which also granted Enbridge cedures not compatible with adjacent resi- During this period, coal was the dominant at the Viper Mine operating at Elkhart and the power to use eminent domain proceed- dential uses. While this is not an immediate fuel for industry, commerce, residential and ings to facilitate the acquisition of the needed concern for the City at the moment, being transportation use, and local production had corridor for the pipeline, which will cross primarily an issue for the Town of Normal, a local market as well as export potential. eight counties in central Illinois. the Nicor facilities are relatively close to Lake In the 21st century, coal remains an essen- As currently described by Enbridge, Bloomington, and have regional impacts that the pipeline will cross Money Creek, which all municipalities in McLean County should flows into Lake Bloomington, and the consider. Mackinaw River and tributaries, a secondary As noted above, the transmission and source for the water supply system. As the use of natural gas produces greenhouse gas pipeline begins service, Bloomington’s inter- emissions, including methane, as a result of est in maintaining the integrity of the City’s system leakage occurring during transmission water supply merits monitoring of pipeline and use5. No gas system can be completely management, directly and through McLean free of leaks, therefore proper safety and County and the appropriate state and federal maintenance practices are important not only agencies. There are also opportunities for the for Nicor itself, but for the health and safety City to work with area environmental advo- of the local governments and their residents. cacy groups in monitoring and evaluating Continuing communication between Nicor the operation of the pipeline. The Enbridge and City staff is an element in monitoring pipeline project has garnered significant pub- the components of local natural gas infra- lic interest and concern during the pre-con- Figure 8.16 Detail of 1981 USGS structure, and preserving the environmental struction period, and a continuation of the Bloomington West 7.5 Minute integrity of the area it occupies. DRAFT that discussion during the planning process is Quadrangle Map Footnote: warranted. Figure 8.15 Enbridge Inc. Project Map, Source: Directory of Coal Mines in Illinois, Chenoweth & Louchios, Illinois Department of Natural 5) See note 1, page 124. As noted above, petroleum product Southern Access Extension Pipeline Source: Enbridge, Inc. Resources, Illinois State Geological Survey, 2004 use, particularly in electricity generation, 130 Williamsville, although the bulk of Illinois businesses have an increasing array of options the state renewable portfolio standard: “… Route 9 with trucks hauling the enormous coal production is in southern Illinois. available to incorporate the use of renewable requires that investor-owned electric utilities turbine blades and towers from the rail yards It has been nearly ninety years since energy in their day-to-day lives. with more than 100,000 Illinois customers on the west side to their locations five miles the benefits and detriments of coal mining obtain 25% of retail sales from renewable east of Towanda-Barnes Road and onward Biofuels have directly affected the City of Bloom- resources by May of 2026, with at least 75% to the County line. Now the turbines are ington. It is unlikely that this industry will Bloomington is surrounded by the of the requirement from wind and 6% from simply part of the scenery, visible from many re-emerge in the foreseeable future, but as bounty of McLean County farmland, a solar photovoltaics (PV).”10 points on the east side of the City as they global demand for energy intensifies, plan- source of the City’s prosperity and economic There are a number of federal pro- track the wind. While not everyone agrees ning for the City’s future should evaluate the stability for more than 150 years. In recent grams supporting the use of renewable en- on the aesthetic qualities of the turbines, contingencies. decades, the production of corn and soybeans ergy, including grants, tax credits, loans and they have created a new energy industry in has found new markets in biofuels, including research and development assistance.11 Sev- our area. If development of Twin Groves and RENEWABLE ENERGY ethanol and biodiesel. This shift provides eral programs provide specific incentives for related wind projects continue as originally The range of available energy sources new revenue sources to farmers, and has the manufacture and use of biofuels, and for envisioned, much of the eastern half of our will continue to be dominated by fossil fuels, generated new types of processing as compa- development of additional biomass resources county will be dotted with wind turbines.12 but renewable energy is a growing force in nies move into biofuel production. According for use in biofuels. Domestic production of We have come a long way from the windmills McLean County. Bloomington residents and to the U.S. Energy Information Administra- biofuels is regarded as a strategy to improve used to power wells and pumps once com- "

Illinois" - Annual Average Wind Speed at 80 m tion, “Illinois is the third largest producer the nation’s energy security and advance mon across the prairie landscape. 91° 90° 89° 88° " of ethanol among the states, and biodiesel energy independence for the United States. The Twin Groves and White Oak " Rockford " Waukegan 42° " production capacity in Illinois is second only The evolving use of agricultural land wind farm projects highlight the emergence " 42°

" Sterling " " 7 Aurora Chicago to Texas.” to produce both food and energy also pro- of Illinois as a wind energy center. As ob- " Moline " Joliet The use of crops for fuel rather than duces a new calculus of land value, an issue " 41° Kankakee Footnotes: Galesburg " 41° " food is a continuing source of controversy, for Bloomington when annexing farmland Peoria " 6) U.S. Energy Information Administration at http:// Bloomington " and combined with questions about the into the City is proposed. Much of the area www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=coal_

" " 40° " Champaign Danville identified for the future development of where. Quincy 40° efficiency and environmental cost of biofuel Springfield" Decatur " " " " Jacksonville manufacturing processes, is likely to remain Bloomington is currently in agricultural use. 7) U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. " " Mattoon 8 Department of Energy at http://www.eia.gov/state/ " a point of contention. While the debate Discussion during the planning process may 39° 39° analysis.cfm?sid=IL Wind Speed continues, the use of renewable energy such evaluate the appropriate balance in econom- " m/s East Saint 8) “The Transportation Nexus: Ethanol Is a ‘Food Louis >10.5 10.0 " ic and environmental terms between land Mount Vernon 9.5 as biofuels is now an accepted component of vs. Fuel’ Issue,” Knowledge@Wharton, University " 9.0 8.5 38° 8.0 38° " 7.5 the energy supply. converted to urban uses, and land remaining of Pennsylvania, July 10, 2013, at http://knowledge. 7.0 " 6.5 Carbondale 6.0 5.5 wharton.upenn.edu/article/the-transportation-nexus- 5.0 The use of farm products to manufac- in agricultural production of food and fuel, " 4.5 " 4.0 ethanol-is-a-food-vs-fuel-issue/ " < 4.0 37° ture biofuels is supported by state and federal especially when viewed through the fiscal 37° Source: Wind resource estimates developed by AWS Truepower, 9) Illinois Power Agency website at http://www2. " 50 091° 50 10090° 150 Kilometers89° LLC for windNavigator88° ¶ . Web: http://www.windnavigator.com | http://www.awstruepower.com. Spatial resolution of wind resource incentive programs. In 2007 state law was impact analysis of development in the City. 25 0 25 50 75 100 Miles data: 2.5 km. Projection: UTM Zone" 16 WGS84. illinois.gov/ipa/Pages/default.aspx.) enacted creating the Illinois Power Agency Wind Energy 10) U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. 18-OCT-2010 1.1.1 to establish energyDRAFT procurement plans incor- Department of Energy at http://www.eia.gov/state/ Figure 8.17 Illinois - Annual Average porating required levels of renewable energy As construction of the Twin Groves analysis.cfm?sid=IL sources. This agency also oversees the munici- wind farm in eastern McLean County be- 11) U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Wind Speed at 80m Department of Energy at http://www.eia.gov/energy- Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory 9 pal electric aggregation program. Specifically, gan, City residents found themselves sharing explained/index.cfm?page=renewable_home#tab3.) 131 served by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, “Wind generation is the FigureUrban 8.18 Development Bloomington Corporate Limits and primary renewable resource for electric power Growthand Wind Area, Energy Proximity to Wind Farm Development Bloomington Incorporated Area jk Airport generation in Illinois. The state’s wind re- 2035 Bloomington Planned Growth Area Existing Wind Turbines source potential is ranked 15th in the nation; Bloomington Streets Lakes Miles however, by the end of 2012, it was one of the N 00.25 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 Areas shaded red and orange are consistent with wind resources compatible with development for wind energy. top five states in the nation in terms of wind

Clearwater Ave capacity installations with more than 3,500 megawatts of generating capacity online.”13

Empire St Considerable wind resource remains 1400 North Rd East2300 Rd to be utilized. As illustrated in Figure 8.16, jk jk much of McLean County has the same level jk of wind capacity as the areas where wind jk jkjk jkjk jkjk farms are now in place. Although the an- Oakland Ave jk jk jkjk jk nounced plans for the area may not come to jkjkjkjkjk jk fruition in precisely the form suggested, the

jkjk availability of the resource and advancing Towanda Barnes Rd Barnes Towanda Streid Dr Streid technologies, as well as the transmission in- Ireland Grove Rd frastructure in place, support the anticipation of future development around Bloomington. In the years following the construc- tion of Twin Grove additional wind energy development has expanded across central Morrissey Dr Illinois. For Bloomington, the spread of wind jk energy prompts consideration of two issues, jkcontinued eastward growth of the City, and jk Us 150 Hwy jk policy regarding small-scale wind power infra- structure within the urban area.

Interstate 74 The annexation and development of the Grove subdivision on Ireland Grove Interstate 74 Road brought the City limits to within ap-

Footnotes: DRAFT 12) “Central Illinois may gain 2,000 turbines in 5 years,” M.K. Guetersloh, Daily Pantagraph, October Source: MCRPC 6, 2010. 13) http://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.cfm?sid=IL

132 proximately three miles of the westernmost of pressurized fluid to break apart the sub- implementation of the state law and requests sulfur dioxide (SO2) Figure 8.15 illustrates installed wind turbine at Twin Groves (see terranean rock and allow the oil and gas to to drill locally. 2013 daily aggregated levels of the primary Figure 8.18). McLean County has established flow into the well structure. This process is pollutants recorded by the Bloomington-Nor- Air Quality regulations regarding distance between wind thought to allow fracking products to migrate mal area monitoring station, Ozone and PM turbines and residential uses, which may be a outward from well structures. Components in The recent Bloomington-Normal 10 particulates. The monitoring station is factor in future annexation decisions by the fracking fluid have been detected in aquifers Greenhouse Gas Inventory prepared by the located on the ISU campus in Normal. The City, particularly if further wind farm devel- adjacent to wells subjected to the process, Ecology Action Center (discussed above) EPA engages in ongoing assessment of the air opment does occur. and the disposal of the fluids has become a provides a detailed analysis of the challeng- quality standards, and the FHWA works with The planning process also offers an separate environmental concern. Formulas es to air quality in the urban area created regional agencies like MCPRC to manage opportunity to evaluate the evolving technol- for the fluids used are regarded as proprietary by greenhouse gas emissions resulting from compliance with programs to maintain or ogies for residential and commercial scale information by drilling companies, which fossil fuel use, in the baseline year 2008. The achieve required air quality standards. wind energy installations within the city, complicates efforts to track the migration of report provides agencies at several levels with The Bloomington-Normal urban and consider policy for what is often called the fluids and assess their impact. data for future comparison and analysis. As area is currently classified under federal law “urban wind.” Wind turbine design for small- Fracking is also associated with surges part of its transportation planning program, as an “attainment area,” which means that scale use is a growing field, and rather than in seismic activity in areas not known for the McLean County Regional Planning the measured levels of the primary pollut- replicating large turbines in smaller form, earthquakes. A study published in July 2014 Commission works with the Environmental ants falls below the levels that violate the air designs now include vertical-axis turbines and by researchers from Cornell University and Protection Agency (EPA), the Federal High- quality standards.17 This status may change noise-reduction features. the University of Colorado14 links the use of way Administration (FHWA) and the Illinois to “non-attainment” should Congress revise wastewater injection in the fracking process Department of Transportation (IDOT) to the acceptable levels of pollutants defined in EMERGING ENERGY ISSUES to earthquake swarms in Oklahoma, which track current air quality performance and federal law. Designation as a non-attainment The rapidly changing energy land- has become the second most seismically formulate plans to maintain or improve local area would require that MCRPC, local transit scape in Illinois and the nation has triggered active state in the country since intensive air quality. Through these plans, actions may agencies and local government initiate a several issues for which Bloomington has an fracking activities began in 2008.15 be taken to manage transportation activity complex planning process to reduce pollutant opportunity to consider policy preferences. There has been some interest in using to bring about improvement in overall air levels and monitor progress in returning to Although some matters will require gov- fracking for oil drilling in McLean County, quality, in recognition of the substantial compliance with air quality standards. ernmental cooperation at multiple levels to and the issue was brought to the McLean portion of air pollution that is produced by As illustrated in the EAC Bloom- reach solutions, the City has the opportunity County Zoning Board of Appeals in 2011, the transportation system. EPA also regulates ington-Normal Greenhouse Gas Inventory, through the planning process to consider the only to have the matter withdrawn before a other sectors, such as electric utilities, with best approach to these issues for Blooming- hearing. Although the state enacted oil and respect to air quality requirements. ton. gas drilling regulations in 2013, there is con- EPA conducts air monitoring to deter- Footnotes: cern that the Illinois Department of Natural mine the levels of pollutants identified in the 14) Keranen et al., “Sharp increase in central Oklaho- Hydraulic Fracturing Resources does not have the staff needed to Clean Air Act and the National Ambient Air ma seismicity since 2008 induced by massive wastewa- properly administer the regulations.16 In view ter injection,” Science, July 2014. The emergence of hydraulic frac- Quality Standards (NAAQS) in a given area. 15) Hailey Branson-Potts, “Study links Oklahoma of possible impactsDRAFT from fracking on poten- The NAAQS are applied to six “principal turing, better known as fracking, to extract earthquake swarm with fracking operations,” Los additional oil or gas from a well has garnered tial water supplies of interest to Bloomington pollutants,” which include carbon monox- Angeles Times, July 3, 2014. for future regional water planning, the City 16) Illinois has hired few workers to oversee fracking, considerable attention in recent years. The ide (CO), lead (Pb), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), is warranted in giving careful attention to the Daily Pantagraph, July 9, 2014. process requires injection of large quantities Ozone (O3) particulate matter (PM) and 133 air pollution is released by a wide variety planning process evaluates benefits and im- time, as discussed in the Infrastructure chap- ture are susceptible to “heat island” effect. of sources. While many sources are beyond pacts. ter. On hot summer days, roof and pavement the regulatory control of municipalities like Bloomington continues to plan for Stormwater impacts on residents temperatures can be 50 to 90 degrees warmer Bloomington, the EAC report notes that the water resources to support future growth of and surrounding areas grow with the City. than the surrounding air. This phenomenon community is already engaging in projects residents and business. As the city grows, As streets and parking lots are paved, and can affect a community’s environment and and planning to improve quality of life and demands for water for all uses grow with it, buildings are roofed, the increase in imper- quality of life due to introducing unnatural lessen impacts on the natural environment. placing increasing pressure on water treat- vious surfaces accelerates water runoff and and additional heat into the human envi- ment and supply infrastructure. There are intensifies the impact of storms. In addition ronment. This can result in increased energy GROWTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL significant costs when adding new infrastruc- to its effect within Bloomington, increased consumption, elevated emissions and green- IMPACT ture to support demand, and maintaining stormwater volume has downstream impacts, house gases and impaired water quality. Although the components of the the existing water system to leverage the triggering erosion and introducing increased Higher than normal pavement and natural environment are important to the investment it represents. The City recognizes levels of pollutants into streams and rivers. rooftop surfaces can be responsible for heat- comprehensive plan on their own merits, the that both environmental and fiscal viability As with water supply and treatment, storm- ing stormwater runoff. Rainwater tempera- core of concern for Bloomington is at the are challenged by these demands, and im- water management continues to be a regional ture can increase an average of 25 degrees on point where the City’s development intersects plementation of actions recommended the issue, with regional solutions needed to avoid impervious surfaces on hot and humid days. and impacts environmental resources. This 2010 Water Supply Plan is one step towards negative impacts on the natural environment. This heated stormwater generally becomes is particularly true for resources critical to meeting the challenge. Because water is a Another critical impact of growth is runoff, draining into storm sewers and other the survival of the community, such as water. regional resource, continued work on coordi- demand for conversion of land from agricul- outlets that eventually finds its way into Although current demographic data suggest nated water supply planning, and the imple- tural to urban use. Bloomington has consis- streams and other waterways. Water tempera- a slower rate of growth for Bloomington than mentation of the resulting recommendations tently expanded its incorporated area at a ture affects aquatic life and ecosystems. was experienced in the 1990s, growth contin- is essential to Bloomington’s future. As noted higher rate than that of its increase in popu- According to USEPA, these rapid tempera- ues today and in the future. To support the in the 2010 water supply study, planning for lation, often annexing substantial tracts that ture changes can be stressful and even deadly City’s long-term interests, the comprehensive water demand and supply must also account were in active agricultural production. The for some aquatic species. Warm weather for issues arising from the agricultural land farm ground that surrounds the City is an temperatures combined with impervious uses that surround the City and affect water irreplaceable natural resource, adapted over surfaces (buildings, pavement and parking quality and infrastructure. the last 150 years of settlement to become a lots) and urban heat islands can increase Bloomington is also proactive in vital economic and commodity engine. Once energy demand in urban centers for all types addressing impacts due to stormwater; the development displaces agricultural use, all the of commercial and residential cooling needs. Department of Public Works has given the possible future production from the land is These factors increase not only normal elec- City Council a clear picture of the needs and lost. Comprehensive planning can define the trical demand but needs for electricity during associated costs to deal with existing storm- balance between expansion and preservation, peak usage periods. This can contribute to water impacts, and has formulated a master and establish Bloomington’s land use priori- overloading the electrical system contribut- plan to manage the process. As public works ties. staff has noted, action is DRAFTcostly, but failure to HEAT ISLANDS & Footnote: Figure 8.19 Daily Ozone and PM10 AQI act will be even more costly. Another finding IMPERVIOUS SURFACES 17) EPA monitoring measures at various times and sea- Values, Bloomington-Normal, IL, 2013 from the public orks planning efforts is the sons, and produces individual and aggregated measure- Source: U.S. EPA ratcheting cost of system maintenance over Urban centers of all sizes and struc- ments as defined in the air quality regulations. 134 ing to brownouts or blackouts. Some energy from a high of just over 20,600 in 2007 to a A 2014 “waste audit” conducted by providers opt for implementing controlled or low of under 17,705 in 2013 (see “Total Tons EAC of the B-N urban area found that close rolling brownouts during such high demand of Daily Garbage-COB Solid waste Program to 73% of all waste collected was non-recy- periods to avoid power outages. Analysis-2013). Collection of recyclables has clable waste. Most materials including alumi- According to the Ecology Action increased from 2,173 total tons in 2007 to num, glass, and plastics are being properly Center, concrete and asphalt structures just over 3,500 tons in 2013 (see Total Tons recycled with composition rates of materials cannot absorb heat and water as well as a Recyclable Collection-COB Solid Waste Pro- remaining similar to previous studies. How- natural landscape. As the natural landscape gram Analysis-2013). This has resulted in an ever, significant volumes of recyclable paper is replaced by the built environment, steps overall savings of just over $160,000 in land- products are still being improperly disposed must be taken to address the problems that fill fees. In FY 2013, close to $612,000 has of which is consistent from findings of previ- can occur from development. According to been added to the City solid waste program. ous audits. That stated, Bloomington resi- the Ecology Action Center, the built envi- Bulk waste collection continues to be the dents continue to recycle a majority of their ronment can be a threat to watersheds as it most costly service from the city solid waste waste that can be recycled. The EAC contin- can change the path and speed of water flows program at just over 56 percent while daily ues to review possible programming that can from runoff and storm events. If stormwa- garbage collection costs account for another address non-traditional recycling programs ter cannot be absorbed into the ground, it 24 percent. such as textiles and food waste or increased becomes runoff which can lead to erosion of Through an intergovernmental emphasis on “source reduction.” streams and creeks. Stormwater can also be agreement, the Ecology Action Center (EAC) McLean County Landfill #2 is sched- contaminated as it picks up debris as it flows. is designated as the solid waste agency for all uled for closure in 2017 due to reaching local governments within McLean County. capacity of close to four million cubic yards Services provided by the EAC, include but of waste. This will eliminate a local waste site SOLID WASTE are not limited to: public education and out- that has a permitted disposal area of just over In Bloomington alone, the City reach, solid waste planning, administration of 43 acres and a permitted landfill capacity of services approximately 26,000 solid waste non-traditional recycling programs, coordina- 55 acres. Total annual disposal throughout customers every week which includes sin- tion of household hazardous waste collection the life of the landfill has differed. Annu- gle-family, apartment complexes and mobile and technical services such as calculation of ally more than 300,000 cubic yards or over home parks. This includes weekly refuse community- wide waste generation and recy- 90,000 tons of waste is dumped in the (trash) collection, bi-weekly single stream recy- cling rates. landfill, translating to over 300 tons of waste cling, weekly curbside bulk waste collection, Through the McLean County Sol- being dumped daily. (Landfill Capacity in drop-off recycling collection, drop-off large id Waste Program, the EAC seeks to help Illinois-State of Illinois). Community leaders item collection and yard waste collection. In local residents and businesses reduce waste, are currently discussing viable options which December of 2009, the City began limiting increase recycling and promote the proper may include transporting some waste out of the number of bulk loads collected for free disposal of hazardous wastes. One measure county once the landfill is closed. due to budget constraints. In 2009, the City of progress towardDRAFT these goals is the annual also eliminated free collection of sod, dirt, recycling rate. The current goal is 40 percent concrete, rock and shingles. of all solid waste generated, which the overall Daily tonnage of garbage has declined area is making significant progress towards. 135 DRAFT

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