Village of Buffalo Grove Environmental Plan ~ 2012 ~

Transcription

1 Village of Buffalo Grove Environmental Plan ~ 2012 ~

2 Year 2012 Village of Buffalo Grove Environmental Plan ~ 1 INTRODUCTION For the past decade, the necessity to take active stewardship on environmental issues has been paramount. Buffalo Grove has responded by establishing an Environmental Committee, developing and implementing a number of environmentally-friendly policies and programs which have benefited the community, and coordinating with local, regional and state partners on environmental initiatives. The Village s 2012 Environmental Plan includes a detailed overview of on-going and proposed initiatives for calendar year TABLE OF CONTENTS REGIONAL LEADERSHIP... 2 Clean Air Counts Greenest Region Compact of Metropolitan Chicago Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County Buffalo Grove Environmental Action Team WATER CONSERVATION... 2 WaterSense program Stream water sampling and analysis... 3 Watershed management group participation Development of a watershed based plan WASTE REDUCTION / RECYCLING... 3 WasteWise program Holiday lights recycling program Residential recycling program... 4 Recycling at Village Hall Electronics recycling event Bagster Bag ENERGY EFFICIENCY... 5 Community Choice Aggregation of Electricity Bicycle system Promotion of Pace bus services... 6 LAND USE Pedestrian and bicycle accident history analysis Review zoning and development regulations relating to green infrastructure planning OUTREACH AND EDUCATION... 7 Environmental Fair Earth Hour promotion VILLAGE OFFICIALS AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS... 7

3 Year 2012 Village of Buffalo Grove Environmental Plan ~ 2 REGIONAL LEADERSHIP & PARTNERS A. Clean Air Counts (CAC). CAC is a northeastern Illinois plan striving to improve air quality by reducing harmful emissions of pollutants from motor vehicles and other sources.. This effort involved working with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, City of Chicago, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Illinois EPA. In April 2011, the Village of Buffalo Grove was honored with a Platinum level designation - the highest designation by Clean Air Counts. Clean Air Communities designation is intended to reward communities that have demonstrated a commitment to improving air quality in the Chicago metropolitan region. Goal Strive to maintain Platinum Level Designation. B. Greenest Region Compact of Metropolitan Chicago (GRCMC) The Village of Buffalo Grove continues to make a commitment to the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Greenest Region Compact of Metropolitan Chicago. The GRCMC establishes environmental goals within our community through implementing a set number of strategies, including three priority strategies identified by the Caucus Environmental Committee. The three priorities relate to promoting residential water conservation practices, enacting electronic waste (ewaste) recycling programs, and participating in the Northern Illinois Energy Projects Residential Lighting Program. C. Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC). The Village is a member of the SWANCC which is an organization that provides programs, resources, presentations and workshops to educate about solid waste technologies and the benefits of waste reductions practices. D. Buffalo Grove Environmental Action Team (BG EAT). BG EAT is a group of community volunteers sponsored by the Buffalo Grove Park District. The Environmental Action Team of Buffalo Grove strives to raise awareness, improve the community s natural environment and encourage sustainability practices for present and future generations. The Village shall coordinate with BG EAT on a myriad of initiatives as set forth within this Environmental Plan, including but not limited the Community Choice Aggregation of Electricity initiative and coordination of an Environmental Fair. WATER CONSERVATION A. WaterSense program. In March, 2011 the Village joined the United States Environmental Protection Agency s (EPA) WaterSense Program. WaterSense seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water with waterefficient products and services. Web site promotion Village newsletter Electronic newsletter March, May, July

4 Year 2012 Village of Buffalo Grove Environmental Plan ~ 3 B. Stream water sampling and analysis. Manage a program to conduct stream water sampling. The purpose of the program is to identify if there are specific pollutants in the water stream such as fecal coli form, phosphorous and chlorides, and possibly the sources of pollution; to determine trends; and to screen for impairment. Finding excessive levels of one or more chemical constituents can serve as an early warning "screen" of potential pollution problems. Report from 2011 sampling 2012 sampling March October C. Buffalo Creek Clean Water Partnership. Support the BG EAT s Buffalo Creek Clean Water Partnership. The group is proposed to be established in The goal is to improve flood control, reduce erosion, improve water quality and enhance ecosystems throughout the watershed. D. Development of a watershed-based plan. Support the BG EAT s initiative for the Buffalo Creek Clean Water Partnership noted herein and develop a watershed-based plan which will enable land owning agencies, such as the Village and Park District, to successfully compete for green infrastructure and 319 (Clean Water Act) grants. WASTE REDUCTION / RECYCLING A. WasteWise program. In March, 2011 the Village joined the United States EPA s WasteWise Program. Local governments are able to join as promotional partners, and thereby obtain access to data management tools, and receive outreach and educational materials. Web site promotion BGTV Village newsletter Electronic newsletter April, July, December B. Holiday lights recycling program. Year 2010 was the first year that the Village offered its residents an opportunity to recycle holiday lights at Village Hall. For the season, a total of 2,195 lbs. were collected and $ paid to the Village of Buffalo Grove to advance its environmental program. For the 2011/2012 season, the Village has recycled 732 lbs of holiday lights as of 12/5/2011 and raised $ as part of the program. Web site promotion BGTV Village newsletter Press release November/December January, November

5 Year 2012 Village of Buffalo Grove Environmental Plan ~ 4 C. Residential recycling program. Within the first quarter of 2012, Village staff will provide a report and recommendation to the Village Board to enter into a refuse, recycling and landscape contract with a hauler for all residential properties in Buffalo Grove. The contract will be awarded following a Request for Proposal process approved by the Corporate Authorities. Information about the new contract will be communicated to Village residents with emphasis on the recycling program available. Web site promotion BGTV Village newsletter Press release Electronic newsletter following contract approval following contract approval D. Recycling at Village Hall. The Village offers residents the opportunity to drop off for recycling a myriad of items not allowed to be disposed through the curbside program. The recycled items include sharps waste, prescriptions/expired medications, batteries, and fluorescent lights. Web site promotion BGTV Village newsletter Electronic newsletter July/August Quarterly E. Electronics recycling event. The event is tentatively planned for Saturday, September 15, The Village will coordinate with Block & Co. where the event is anticipated to be held at 150 Hastings in Buffalo Grove, SWANCC, and the Buffalo Grove Environmental Action Team. Secure site Prepare marketing plan Review site logistics Event management March May June September F. Bagster Bag. The Village of Buffalo Grove sells the Waste Management Bagster Bags to residents. The Bagster is a high strength polypropylene bag that can hold up to 3 cubic yards of material and up to 3,300 pounds of waste material. The Bagster is an energy saving idea for people who have a waste disposal need that is larger than a regular trash pickup but smaller than a dumpster rental. The Bagster helps to reduce transportation emissions and fuel consumption. In addition, it helps to initiate "onsite source separation" and enables the hauler to recycle appropriate materials that have been discarded. The Bagsters are available for sale at Village Hall for $ Sign at B&Z counter BGTV Village newsletter Electronic newsletter January March, October

6 Year 2012 Village of Buffalo Grove Environmental Plan ~ 5 ENERGY EFFICIENCY A. Community Choice Aggregation of Electricity. On November 7, 2011, the Village Board unanimously approved Resolution No , initiating the submission of a public question to authorize the Village to adopt an opt-out program for the supply of electricity to residential and small commercial retail customers. Through municipal electric aggregation, Illinois municipalities can help residents and small businesses maximize their savings by reducing energy costs. Opportunities will also be explored for offering residents the opportunity to purchase green or renewable energy at discounted costs through a wholesale supplier of electricity. By aggregating the buying power of a large number of customers, a municipality can leverage buying power for its residential and small business electric customers. Buffalo Grove voters will have an opportunity to vote on this initiative at the March 20, 2012 general election. "Shall the Village of Buffalo Grove have the authority to arrange for the supply of electricity for its residential and small commercial retail customers who have not opted out of such program?" Buffalo Grove has taken the lead and is working with six other municipalities in order to leverage even greater resources and economies of scale to benefit residents and small businesses. The participating municipalities include Arlington Heights, Lincolnshire, Long Grove, Palatine, Vernon Hills, and Wheeling, ( Consortium ). The Village will coordinate with the Buffalo Grove Environmental Action Team to educate voters regarding the March 20, 2012 referendum and to provide support and assistance at the required public hearings. Public education January March Consultant proposals due to the Village Village Board enters into contract for professional and consulting services on behalf of municipal consortium. Intergovernmental Agreement establishing consortium Public information meetings Issue bid document Election Day (voter on referendum) Public hearings (min. 2 by state law) Contract for electricity supply Work with selected contractor to maintain list of residents/small businesses who have opted out and those participating in the program. January 3 February 6 February 6 January March February / March March 20 June June - December

7 Year 2012 Village of Buffalo Grove Environmental Plan ~ 6 B. Bicycle system. The Village s Bicycle Path System Ad Hoc Committee was established by Resolution No The resolution outlined an initial work program for the committee. In June, 2011, the six-month report was presented to the Village President and Board of Trustees. The goals and initiatives of the committee can be found on the Village s web site at At the direction of the Village Board, the committee will be formally adopted by ordinance. Present ordinance for Village Board consideration to codify (establish by code) the Bicycle Path Committee. Activities to promote bicycling and the path system Update the map of the trail system February May & October August C. Promotion of Pace bus services. In the last quarter, 2010, the Village coordinated with the TMA of Lake Cook to promote the possible discontinuation of service for Pace Route 576 through Buffalo Grove. On December 14, 2011, the Pace Board reviewed the information provided at the December Public Hearings and approved Route 576 to continue service for a six month "demonstration" period. The Village will continue to work with the TMA to communicate to employers along the route to try to obtain additional employer financial participation to make up current funding shortfall. The TMA will report back to the Pace Board by the end of March Goal: Coordinate with the TMA and communicate with Buffalo Grove employers pertaining to the possible discontinuation of Pace service and alternative transportation options available to riders such as RideShare. January-February LAND USE A. Pedestrian and Bicycle Accident History Analysis. Conduct a three year analysis of accidents which have occurred within the Village. The information would be used as one method of analysis of improvements that may be considered to enhance bicycle paths, pedestrian sidewalks, and other bike and pedestrian system accommodation enhancements in Buffalo Grove. Coordinate with the Police Department to provide information on police calls and reports as referenced herein. Review information with the Village s Bicycle Path System Committee. Prepare report and recommendation based on the findings. July August September B. Review zoning and development regulations relating to green Infrastructure planning. Consider planning, development, stormwater management, wetland management and other initiatives to foster environmental sustainability.

8 Year 2012 Village of Buffalo Grove Environmental Plan ~ 7 Review zoning and development regulations and prepare report and recommendation. Zoning and development regulation amendments shall be presented to the Village Board for consideration. July OUTREACH AND EDUCATION A. Environmental Fair. Assist the Buffalo Grove Environmental Action Team with the coordination of an Environmental Fair. Promotion & public education Site logistics Event management Dates to be provided by BGEAT B. Earth Hour Promotion. Lights around the globe were encouraged to be turned off for Earth Hour; individuals were also encouraged to commit to actions that go beyond the hour. Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. With almost 5 million supporters and a global network in over 100 countries/territories, Earth Hour is now one of the world's largest and most respected movements. Earth Hour is organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). WWF s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and build a future where people live in harmony with nature. Promotion & public education February/March A. Promote utilizing alternate modes of transportation to work to Village employees. Encourage the public and Village employees to bicycle and utilize public transportation for travel to work during Bike to Work Week in May. Register the Village for the annual Active Transportation Alliance Bike Commuter Challenge. Promotion & public education, Bike to Work Week Participation & promotion, Bike Commuter Challenge for Village employees. May June Village Officials: President Jeffrey S. Braiman Trustee Jeff Berman Trustee Steve Trilling Trustee Beverly Sussman Trustee Mike Terson Trustee Andy Stein Trustee Les Ottenheimer Village Clerk Janet Sirabian Village Manager Dane Bragg Village of Buffalo Grove Environmental Committee: Trustee Steve Trilling, Board of Trustees Liaison Ghida Neukirch, Deputy Village Manager Greg Boysen, Director of Public Works Wendy Durkin, Battalion Chief, Fire Department Rick Kuhl, Deputy Director of Public Works Robert Pfeil, Village Planner Brian Sheehan, Deputy Building Comm./Operations A desire for the future to be as good as you want it to be.