Public Comment Period: Sylvan Lake Dam Risk Reduction, Lake Co., Illinois
Lake County Stormwater Management Commission, Lake County, Illinois in conjunction with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, has been awarded funding through FEMA’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Congressionally Directed Spending program to fund mitigation measures to Sylvan Lake Dam to reduce the risk of loss of life and property from future hazard events or disasters.
Date: February 3, 2023 - March 6, 2023
Important Date
Event Details
The PDM grant program makes federal funds available to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to plan for and implement sustainable cost-effective measures designed to reduce the risk to individuals and property from future natural hazards, while also reducing reliance on federal funding from future disasters. Lake County Stormwater Management Commission will use those funds for reconstruction of the existing dam and its appurtenances, and the relocation of an above ground sanitary sewer located at the crest of the dam, located in Sylvan Lake in unincorporated Fremont Township, IL. This includes the removal of vegetation, relocation of utilities, removal of existing box culvert and chute spillway, installation of drop structure with gate valve, installation of dewatering pipe and valves, installation of riprap and sheet piling, remove and replace guard rail and pavement, and restore disturbed areas.
Increased development density (resulting in increased runoff volume) and greater rainfall depths further contribute to higher discharges in the existing chute structure. The existing chute design does not dissipate the lake’s outfall discharge energy. The resultant discharge velocities, along with the cracks and fractures of the chute further exacerbate erosion of the downstream face of the dam and receiving stream. The project proposal is displayed on the enclosed drawing/engineering plans.
The proposed activity for this Undertaking will be conducted in the existing public right of way (ROW) of the road and dam facility. The total area to be disturbed is approximately 0.57 acres. Utilities including the sanitary sewer line will be relocated, and the dam, spillway, road and guard rail along the top of the dam will be removed. The dam and appurtenant structures will be reconstructed in the same location as the previous structures.
Under the National Environmental Policy Act, EO 11988 and EO 11990, public notice is required of any federal actions that may affect floodplains or wetlands. Under the National Historic Preservation Act, public notice is also required for some projects which have the potential to affect historic properties. The proposed dam undertaking will be conducted on and in two elements determined eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places: the Sylvan Lake Dam and Sylvan Lake Landscape. All necessary permits and approvals will be obtained prior to construction and completion of the project.
Public participation is encouraged. Those interested are invited to comment within 30 days by e-mail to fema-r5-environmental@fema.dhs.gov or by mail to:
Duane Castaldi, Regional Environmental Officer
FEMA Region 5
536 South Clark Street, 6th Floor
Chicago, IL 60605