NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Natural Resources Are Positive Components of Any De- Velopment and Add Value Where Integrated Appropri- Ately Into Development Projects
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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%