SMC created the WRF as an alternative for wetland mitigation in watersheds that do not have wetland mitigation bank credits. At this time, the WRF only compensates for impacts to Isolated Waters of Lake County (IWLC). For more information on the use of the fund for mitigation purposes, see the Lake County Watershed Development Ordinance Section IV, E.5.b.(4).
Fund Fee Amounts
SMC approved the following updated in-lieu mitigation fund fees (2007) for each of the four major watersheds in Lake County. These fee amounts will be revised by SMC on an annual basis:
Mitigation Ratios
The required mitigation replacement ratios will continue to be as currently specified in WDO Section IV, E.4.b. For example: 1-acre impact in North Branch Chicago River Watershed:
Non HQAR[1] 1 acre impact x 1.5 ratio x $129,900 = $194,850 Fee payment
HQAR1 1 acre impact x 3.0 ratio x $129,900 = $389,700 Fee payment
WDO Review Process
For Non IWLC-Certified Communities
Upon written request by the applicant, as part of the review process, SMC will verify the final IWLC impact acreage and inform the applicant of the required in-lieu fee amount. All required fees, including applicable permit review fees and mitigation fee-in-lieu, will be due to SMC prior to final authorization.
For IWLC-Certified Communities
The IWLC-Certified community will verify the impact acreage and will inform the applicant of the mitigation fee-in-lieu applicability and fee amount. The IWLC-Certified Community will then provide SMC with the final IWLC impact acreage, mitigation fee amount and applicant contact information. SMC will inform the IWLC-Certified community with written acceptance once SMC receives the fee-in-lieu money. The IWLC-Certified community can then issue the required WDP.
Acceptable Forms of Payment
SMC requests payment via certified check, money order, or direct account transfer (i.e., wire transfer). Make payable to “Lake County SMC – Wetland Restoration Fund”.
For questions, please contact SMC Principal Wetland Specialists Joe Hmieleski at 847.377.7708 or Glenn Westman at 847.377.7718.
