[Communications] MWRD Commissioner Du Buclet Newsletter

Fri Jul 23 15:29:44 CDT 2021

View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/eebb202e7ba8/commissioner-kimberly-neely-du-buclets-monthly-newsletter-4235565?e=c4ca39f2f7)
Next Regular Board Meeting on Thursday
August 5th at 10:30 am
The Board of Commissioners will hold its Regular Board Meeting on Thursday August 5th at 10:30am and public participation is encouraged. Visit mwrd.org to see the meeting agenda and live stream viewing instructions.  I look forward to hearing from you at the next MWRD Board meeting!

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MWRD's "Green Infrastructure" partnership

MWRD encourages and supports implementing green infrastructure (GI), which includes a range of engineered installations that store, infiltrate, and/or evaporate stormwater, thereby mimicking the natural water cycle.

** GI Program Goals ()

The MWRD’s goals for the Green Infrastructure Partnership Opportunity Program are:
* Build GI to reduce stormwater flows to local sewer systems and prevent combined sewer overflows;
* Use GI to address local flooding and draining problems;
* Promote GI as a complimentary way to manage stormwater with natural systems;
* Aesthetically enhance public areas and increase a community’s “green space”; and
* Provide improvements in water quality.

MWRD is now accepting project applications for partnerships. The DEADLINE for applications is September 6, 2021 at 11:59 PM CDT.
For more information on partnership with the MWRD please click the following link ** Green Infrastructure Partnership (https://mwrd.org/green-infrastructure-partnership-opportunity-program-0)
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$2 Billion Needed For Flood Repairs
In The Great Lakes Region

A  survey of 241 cities, villages and other jurisdictions surrounding the Great Lakes found that at least $1.94 billion will be needed over the next five years. “Communities around the Great Lakes face a growing crisis, and we need both the federal governments of the U.S. and Canada to assist with the necessary investments,” Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said. “Our coastal infrastructure is vital to the economic and recreational health of our communities, and coordinated action is required.”

Communities already have poured about
$878 million into repairs over the last two years, according to the results of a survey by the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, a coalition of mayors and local officials in the region’s eight states and two Canadian provinces.

For more information about this study please click on the following link ** $2 Billion For Great Lakes Flood Repairs (https://www.wbez.org/stories/great-lakes-region-needs-about-2b-for-flood-repairs-report-finds/6f57a170-b3e8-413f-84fc-0c8050d11171?fbclid=IwAR3WJCb75Yw5302_Z_YVQMHBikKXcIN7U_Uxq5Hf7Hk8i70aRBV59k2Nopg)
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Space to Grow
An important Catalyst for Community-Driven Investment

Commissioner DuBuclet is joined by Mayor Lori Lightfoot at Melody STEM School on the west side, to showcase MWRD's latest partnership with the Space to Grow.

Space to Grow is Chicago’s green schoolyards program, a partnership led by Healthy Schools Campaign and Openlands with public capital investment from Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Department of Water Management and MWRD. Space to Grow schoolyards provide a space for active play and outdoor learning while using green infrastructure to build climate resilience and reducing local basement flooding.

For more information about MWRD's partnership with CPS and Chicago's Department of Water Management please click on the following link ** Space 2 Grow (https://www.spacetogrowchicago.org/schoolyards-an-important-catalyst-for-community-driven-investment/)
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Chicago's Edgewater Community Tree Program

The Edgewater Environmental Sustainability Project (EESP) is a recipient of an Openlands Treekeepers tree planting grant. For a fall planting this year, we are working in special conjunction with the Chicago Region Trees Initiative! If you have a viable spot for a tree to be planted on the parkways between the curb and the sidewalk in front of residential buildings, school property, or vacant lots in the Edgewater community please click on the link below.

*PLEASE NOTE* This program is ONLY available to residents of the Edgewater community.

For more information about the Edgewater treeing planting grant please click on the following link ** Edgewater Tree Request (https://static-promote.weebly.com/share/7de0b199-93a9-434d-a82b-a1ee055ea681)
.
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Grant Funding
** (https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ginxi49-Q62aboZiPCaGXA?fbclid=IwAR3CDMO98FNTURLdFWzhQEMtBvuA49khm5Ikxxma1On_-VXsqJcPZTqRXdk)
APPLICATION DEADLINE is JULY 30th. For more details about this program please click of the following link ** IEPA 319 Grant Funding (https://www.epa.gov/nps/319-grant-current-guidance)
Restore The Canopy Relaunch
** (https://mwrd.org/eq-compost)

In response to significant losses in the tree population due to the emerald ash borer infestations and extreme weather, the MWRD launched RTC in 2016. Since that time, the MWRD has given away more than 93,000 free tree saplings.

WHO: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD)

WHAT: The MWRD will provide a variety of free potted oak saplings every Wednesday through its Restore the Canopy (RTC), Plant a Tree program.

WHERE: Visit MWRD water reclamation plants (WRPs) at the following locations:

** Calumet Water Reclamation Plant, 400 E. 130th St., Chicago (https://goo.gl/maps/QkV1ReQmFyVMLpcJ7)

** O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant, 3500 Howard Street, Skokie (https://goo.gl/maps/sGHxgHE9Pivdo8PE7)

** Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, 6001 W. Pershing Rd., Cicero (https://goo.gl/maps/o79Y7yvYFATkBEAt8)

** Egan Water Reclamation Plant, 550 South Meacham Rd, Schaumburg (https://goo.gl/maps/wVBW8yzZ1CbUvys3A)

** Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant, 1220 Sycamore Ave., Hanover Park (https://goo.gl/maps/rstQuHVHpYuhPsky7)

** Kirie Water Reclamation Plant, 701 West Oakton St., Des Plaines (https://goo.gl/maps/6PqrWNDG6wedA6Cv7)

WHEN: Every Wednesday in April through October, from 9 a.m. to noon.
For more information about MWRD's Restore the Canopy relaunch please click on the following link ** Restore The Canopy 2021 (https://mwrd.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/2021%20Restoring%20the%20Canopy.pdf)
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FREE Ways To Get Trees Planted in Chicago
Planting trees is one of the simplest nature-based solutions to climate change and is a tangible way for individuals to make a positive impact on the environment. Programs in Chicago provide new trees and replace trees lost on city blocks to residents with the condition that residents put in the time and work to maintain the tree once it’s planted. Openlands wants to help you become an active steward of Chicago’s urban forest, which is why we’ve created this guide to help you find trees in Chicago through one of the programs offered to residents. Below are a number of ways to can get trees to plant.

Chicago 3-1-1:
Chicago residents looking to plant a tree in their neighborhood can contact Chicago’s 3-1-1 service. Residents can simply call 3-1-1 or submit a request online. Once the request is approved, the Bureau of Forestry will plant a tree along the public right-of-way in your neighborhood.

Openlands Tree Planters Grants: Tree Planters Grants provide new trees to communities in the City of Chicago and the near south suburbs.

Chicago Region Trees Initiative Program: As part of the Plant Trees for Communities Initiative with the Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI), of which Openlands is a founding member, individuals are invited to plant at least one tree in every local community in the seven-county Chicago region and in each of the 50 Chicago wards (approx. 340 trees) in 2021.

Purchase a Tree at the Openlands Native Tree and Plant Sale: The Openlands Native Tree and Plant Sale offers a wide variety of native trees for purchase that are not available at most big-box stores and nurseries.

For more information about ways to get Trees planted for FREE or for purchase click on the following link ** TREE FUNDING (https://openlands.org/2021/04/30/how-to-get-trees-planted-in-your-chicago-neighborhood/?fbclid=IwAR1uaJyf53SaGR-iaZCc9J_hm3KgWvjwRMfsDGPFOXqoR9GCcSNNOOvfdxk)
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MWRD Virtual Tour
JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL TOUR EXPERIENCE!

Travel back in time to early Chicago to see how we reversed the Chicago River and developed wastewater treatment technology. Go behind the scenes and under water to see how we transform the water you use every day; descend 300 feet into the deep tunnel system, and watch our electrofishing crew at work sampling fish on the Chicago River.

Date: Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Time: 2PM  – 3:15PM
Location: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcsc-GsrDooHdYGOAnxoma7fpcyv7W5gvGC
MWRD Small Streams Maintenance Program
The Small Stream Maintenance Program is one of MWRD's little know programs. If left unattended, this debris could cause stream blockages and lead to flooding. Please help be our eyes by reporting blockages and debris in streams at ** https://gispub.mwrd.org/ssmp/ (https://gispub.mwrd.org/ssmp/?fbclid=IwAR2qzfZOCqc2nNJ-GTHzqS4DZ5uOUq3EB6u_NikmXvG8OxCSQB0M7j68U74)
or call (312) 787-3575.
Free Compost for Pick Up!
** (https://mwrd.org/eq-compost)
Click photo for more information on MWRD's compost programs
Cook County Covid-19 Vaccinations
Cook County Government, Cook County Health and Cook County Department of Public Health are pleased to offer COVID-19 vaccinations to those living or working in Cook County.

Sign up to receive:
* Updates on the Vaccine and the Community Vaccination Program
* Notification for when vaccine administration is open to your phase
* Information on scheduling a vaccine appointment through Cook County Health
* Information on vaccine distribution locations throughout Cook County

For more information please click on the following link ** Cook County Vaccinations (https://vaccine.cookcountyil.gov/)
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Free Fun Water Education Resources!
Home looking for things for the kids to do? Check out MWRD’s free and fun activities and resources available on our ** website (https://mwrd.org/k-12)
. There you’ll find lots of fun ways to learn about MWRD and how to protect our water and the environment. Materials are available in both English and Spanish. Print, use, learn and enjoy!
MWRD Storybook & Animation for Children

Have you ever wondered what happens after you flush the toilet?

The new MWRD publication and animated video "Where does IT Go?" tells the story of three young water explorers who travel in a magical ship through MWRD pipes, sewers and tanks that are used to clean dirty water. Interspersed throughout the storybook are photos of actual equipment and processes described in the story.
Download a copy of this storybook by clicking on the following link  ** Where does IT Go (Storybook) (https://mwrd.org/sites/default/files/documents/WhereDoesItGo_200921.pdf)
and ** Where does IT Go (Animation) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ed_kMwLK9q8)
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Green Explorers Club "Project Boxes"
Green Explorers Club teaches kids the tools of sustainability while building a healthy curiosity for life sciences and the environment. They explore sustainability through hands-on experiments and activities that demonstrate the importance of taking care of our planet. They take kids out into nature and explore the world hands-on through experience.

However, for kids who want to try
Green Explorers Club at home, or families who do not live close to their Chicago location, their project boxes are the next best thing. Every project box contains activities used in their studio with the fantastic kids who join their camps and classes every year. Their project boxes are designed for kids ages 4-9 years.

For more information about the Green Explorers Club and their Project Boxes please click on the following link ** Project Boxes (https://greenexplorersclub.com/pages/project-boxes-3/)
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Employment Opportunities at MWRD
Current Positions

Supervising Environmental Specialist - Annual Salary $113,316.32/year

** Online Employment Center Link  (https://www.jobapscloud.com/mwrd/)
Upcoming Events
Click Link to see ** Community Events (https://mwrd.org/events)
Contact Information
Our mailing address is:

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
Commissioner Kimberly Du Buclet
100 East Erie Street
Chicago, IL 60611

Phone Number
312-751-5086
** Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/Kim4Water )
** Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KIM4MWRD/)
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