As Lake County Forest Preserves District Executive Director Ty Kovach considers the needs of the area’s natural settings over the next 10 years — as well as land the district may want to acquire — he is examining ways to fund improvements and acquisitions.
Kovach opened a discussion with the Board of Commissioners for a potential referendum of just over $154 million at a Committee of the Whole meeting Wednesday in Riverwoods, leading to what he hopes will be a ballot initiative in November of 2024.
“We are starting the conversation of how we’re going to look at the next 10 years,” Kovach said. “This is for habitat restoration and land acquisition. This is something we can do with the resources we have now. We’re looking at our goals and strategic plan.”
Going through a list of the district’s 64 properties — including forests, savannas, prairie and wetlands — Kovach mentioned 22 which he believes need work that would cost nearly $85 million. He has also earmarked $65 million to buy land, and $5 million for deferred maintenance.
Should the referendum be placed before voters and approved, Kovach said it would help with an equitable distribution of forest preserves resources across the county, reduce operating costs, finish already started projects, preserve existing resources and improve ecosystem services to support the quality of life in the county.
With an approximate cost of $8,000 per restored acre, Kovach said the effort would protect wildlife habitat, preserve native wetlands, woodlands and prairies. It would also help provide trails and greenways, as well as river and lake access.
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Already the largest land owner in Lake County with 30,000 acres, Kovach said he hopes the referendum will help the district restore 2,000 acres and acquire 2,000 more. There are already more than 200 miles of trails.
Among projects on the list is the Waukegan Savannah located near the Waukegan National Airport, where $15.4 million is proposed. There will be both a full restoration, and the creation of a regional trail from Green Bay Road to Wadsworth Road.
“This is a very high priority, and has a good chance to get a federal grant” Kovach said. “We’ve been waiting a long time, so let’s get this underway.”
Both completing master plan public access improvements and habitat restoration is planned for the Greenbelt Forest Preserve in North Chicago for $10 million, according to Kovach’s presentation.
“This is a major initiative,” he said. “We’re going to make it easier to enter the forest preserve. We’re going to open the forest to the highest level.”
Several projects are projected for the Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda — the county’s largest. Kovach suggested spending $11.275 million for ravine restoration, completing Phase II of the Broberg Marsh, work on the Wauconda Bog and more.
Independence Grove is the most used forest preserve in the system. It already has a beach with a beer garden. Kovach said he suggests spending $2.8 million to repurpose the beach area.
Along with restoring land and buying more, Kovach said he suggests directing $5 million toward potential solar energy uses.
“We know there are going to be opportunities,” he said.
Commissioner John Wasik wanted to know why more than 1,000 acres are to be devoted to farming rather than recreational purposes. He wants to know when that land will come out of cultivation. Kovach said it is part of the process of returning land to its natural state.
“If we buy more land, an interim management tool is going to be farming,” Kovach said. “Farming is a land management tool.”
Kovach said until the board approves the referendum and the precise amount is known, he is unable to estimate the property tax impact its passage would have on county’s real estate owners.