The DeKalb County Forest Preserve District Committee met Tuesday June 21, 2005 at Chief Shabbona Forest Preserve at 6:00 p.m.  Ms. Fauci called the meeting to order.  In attendance were committee members, Ms. Fauci, Mr. Gudmunson, Ms. Turner, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Rosemier, and Mr. Lyle.  Also in attendance were Mr. Hannan, Forest Preserve Superintendent and Mr. Rich McElligott from the Small Mouth Bass Alliance. 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Ms. Fauci asked for an addition to the meeting agenda, to allow for a presentation by Mr. Rich McElligott from the Small Mouth Bass Alliance.  Moved by Mr. Rosemier, seconded by Mr. Lyle, it was carried unanimously to approve the agenda for the meeting as revised.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Ms. Fauci asked for any corrections or additions to the May minutes.  There were no corrections voiced.  It was moved by Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Rosemier to approve the minutes.  All members were in favor, and the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 

PRESENTATION FROM THE SMALL MOUTH BASS ALLIANCE

Mr. Hannan introduced Mr. Rich McElligott, an executive director from the Small Mouth Bass Alliance, and the northwest regional conservation director of the Illinois Small Mouth Bass Alliance.  Mr. Hannan thanked Mr. McElligott for taking the time to come and speak to the committee on their volunteer work being done at Potawatomi and MacQueen Forest Preserves and on how Forest Preserves aid in good stream habitat.  The alliance has been doing volunteer work on the Kishwaukee River including removing some log jams and litter and debris cleanups from the river in the preserves.  The alliance would also like to build stream barbs (also known as wing dams) in the preserve to protect the river banks during high water events by slowing the current.  These also provide optimum habitat in the river for fish with stream bank stabilization.  The alliance is attempting to coordinate funding or assistance from the State on this project.  Mr. McElligott explained to the committee that the population of small mouth bass is a good indicator of overall water quality in a given area.  The small mouth population in the Kishwaukee River is in good health.  Mr. Rosemier asked Mr. McElligott if the log jam that was removed was potentially an annual problem.  Mr. McElligott responded that a log jam occurred because two trees fell directly across the river, and it would be hard to predict if that circumstance would repeat itself.  The alliance calculated they spent 350 man hours to remove the log jam.  Mr. Hannan added that the Forest Preserve District Staff does survey the rivers where they go through the preserves.  Mr. McElligott also told the committee that the alliance would like to get an aquatic plant program started at Potawatomi Woods.  Mr. Rosemier asked if there was a danger of getting too many plants for the river to sustain.  Mr. McElligott responded that the number of plants was not normally a problem, and explained that in order to start an aquatic plant program a process called a conservation review process has to be completed which includes confirming that the plants to be introduced into a given area are native plants.   The difficulty is determining what types of plants are native.  Mr. Rosemier asked if the plants used are the same as plants put into ponds.  Mr. McElligott responded that the plants for river habitats are different, mainly in that they have a deeper root system to survive high water events.  Mr. McElligott said that putting rock, about bowling ball size, in the water also is beneficial for the fish as it gives areas for fish to tuck into during high water events.  Ms. Fauci asked if the alliance is willing to volunteer the time to create the aquatic plant program.  Mr. McElligott responded they are willing to volunteer their time, but that the group does not have approval for plant types, and the optimum planting is done from May to July so the possibility of starting this year is low.  Mr. Hannan added that Mr. McElligott has said the 3.5 mile stretch of the Kishwaukee River that flows through Potawatomi Woods is good for fishing.  Mr. Rosemier asked if beaver dams were a problem in the area, and Mr. McElligott reported that they have not seen any dams, but there is evidence of beaver activity in the area.  Ms. Fauci inquired about the eco system for small mouth bass including their feeding habits.  Mr. McElligott explained that depending on the size of the fish they normally eat minnows, crayfish and dragon fly larvae.  Mr. Hannan added that the alliance has donated a number of signs along rivers in Northern Illinois which explain the life cycle of the small mouth bass and fishing regulations.  Ms. Turner advised the group that Sycamore High School is starting a fishing club next year. Ms. Fauci asked if the alliance did water testing similar to the Sierra Club.  Mr. McElligott said they have people that monitor the water and they work with Prairie River Network and River Watch to keep track of river water quality.  Mr. McElligott concluded his presentation with a note that Lt. Governor Quinn is planning a State River Day on September 17th, and that the Small Mouth Bass Alliance is planning to do some river cleanups on the Kishwaukee River in conjunction with the event.

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY

Mr. Hannan gave a final recap of the National Trails Day events.  A good turnout of volunteers labored at various sites including a river cleanup at Potawatomi Woods, the removal of an old fence by an equestrian group at Potawatomi Woods, some cleanup work done by the Kishwaukee River Canoe Group, and wetland plantings at Afton Forest Preserve.  Ruthanne Tobias, Ray Bockman and Terry Hannan greeted bikers and walkers at the Great Western Trail.  Ms. Fauci added that she met people at County Farm Woods and Ms. Donna Prain gave a short presentation about the wetland function at County Farm Woods. 

COUNTY BOARD PICNIC

Ms. Fauci asked the committee their thoughts on a County Board Picnic.    Mr. Lyle suggested that a poll be taken at a County Board Meeting.  Mr. Hannan suggested that the picnic be combined with a volunteer appreciation day, and a special recognition for Mr. Paul Sorensen from N.I.U.  Mr. Sorensen is a true Illinois prairie pioneer who worked with Mr. Hannan on the first five acre prairie at Afton Forest Preserve.  The prairie area at Afton Forest Preserve is going to be dedicated as the Afton-Sorensen Prairie.  Discussion on the picnic included the possibility of the event being catered or a potluck meal.  Mr. Hannan is going to discuss funding with Mr. Ray Bockman.  Mr. Hannan suggested that the picnic be held at Afton Forest Preserve to allow for the recognition of Mr. Sorensen to be done in a restored prairie setting.  The committee also discussed a possible date, and it was decided to suggest Sunday August 14th at 2:00 p.m. to the Board for their approval.  The committee suggested that invitations be sent to County Board members, Forest Preserve Volunteers, long time friends of the Forest Preserve, Staff Members, etc.  

DEDICATION OF CLIFF SIMONSON'S MEMORIAL BENCH

Mr. Hannan would like to have the dedication for Cliff Simonson's memorial bench in the fall, possibly September.  Ms. Fauci added that the bench is in place at the County Farm Woods Forest Preserve.  It was decided that the dedication would be done during the September Forest Preserve Committee Meeting.

STEWARDS PROGRAM

Mr. Hannan has been approached by people that would like to volunteer to care for the Forest Preserves in various ways.  Mr. Hannan is working on putting together a stewardship program for next near.  The program would involve concepts such as "Adopt-a-Woods", "Adopt-a-Wetland", or "Adopt-a-Prairie". The program requires a small amount of training for volunteers who want to work at keeping areas clean, pulling weeds, collecting prairie seeds, etc.  Additional information on the Stewards Program will be given to the committee at a later date.  Mr. Hannan then shared an article from the newspaper about the City of Genoa applying for state funds to pay for construction of a bike path and bridge from Willow Glen and River Bend subdivisions to the proposed Lyons Corner Park to connect Genoa to the High School and Russell Woods. 

EDUCATION FUND DONATION

Mr. Hannan reported to the committee that the Lucille B. Matteson Trust has made a donation of $9,973.00 to the Forest Preserve endowment fund with the DeKalb County Forest Preserve District for the Natural Resource Education Center.  The donation could be matched by the University of Illinois Extension by as much as 100% depending on their budget and funding.  Ms. Fauci asked if a thank you letter is being sent to the family of Lucille Matteson.  Mr. Hannan has spoken with Joy at the University of Illinois Extension Office and believes that they are sending a thank you letter.  Mr. Hannan will follow up on the letter.

SURVEY DONATION

Mr. Hannan informed the committee on a donation being made by the DeKalb County Community Foundation Fund to provide for a citizens group to do a survey on the voters feeling and opinions for a land acquisition referendum.  The non-tax dollar funds totaling $4,000 dollars were given to the Community Foundation previously by Margaret Baack and Michael McAdams. The citizens group contacted Ms. Baack and Mr. McAdams and received approval for their donation to be used for a survey.  Mr. Hannan talked with Mr. Jerry Smith at the Community Foundation and Mr. Smith approved of the request.  The funds were transferred to the Forest Preserve and will be passed along to the citizens group for a survey on the open space referendum.   Mr. Anderson asked if the Ad Hoc committee for Open Land had been disbanded and Mr. Hannan responded that it had been disbanded.

MONTHLY REPORT

Mr. Hannan gave the committee a "welcome to Chief Shabbona Forest Preserve" history of the park.  Chief Shabbona Preserve is 88 acres and was purchased in 1942.  It has both enclosed and open air shelters.  Hiking and cross country skiing trails are available at the preserve, and the trails link up to Shabbona State Park.  Mr. Hannan pointed out that a group of 40-50 girl scouts are currently using the preserve and use the preserve each year for their week long day camp.  The forest is comprised of oak, hickory, maple and walnut.  Forest management is being done at certain areas of this preserve, which includes clearing out underbrush and non-native plants to allow for a more diverse forest understory.  Mr. Ken Ehrhart is the park manager and his position is a part time permanent position.  Mr. Hannan brought to the attention of the committee an article which discussed a rabid bat being found in DeKalb County. The Forest Preserve staff found two dead bats at McQueen Forest Preserve, but were unable to get rabies test results back before the meeting (Note: Since the Forest Preserve Committee Meeting, Animal Control staff have taken two tests and both tests were negative for rabies.  Animal Control said that the bat population is healthy and they will continue monitoring.  Animal Control will also instruct Forest Preserve staff on what to look for in unusual bat behavior).  Finally, Mr. Hannan indicated that the monthly Forest Preserve reports will be sent to the committee with the minutes and the County Board packet. 

COMMITTEE DISCUSSION

Mr. Rosemier asked if the deer culling to test for Chronic Wasting Disease had been done.  Mr. Hannan responded that 40 deer had been culled from Potawatomi Forest Preserve, MacQueen Forest Preserve and Kishwaukee River State Fish and Wildlife Area and that nothing came back to indicate any evidence of Chronic Wasting Disease.  The deer population in the Kishwaukee Watershed should be 15-20 per square mile, and the population was up to 60-100 per square mile in some areas. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Rosemier made a motion to go into executive session, seconded by Ms. Turner.  A roll call vote was taken and all members voted aye.   

Ms. Turner made a motion to leave executive session, seconded by Mr. Lyle.  A roll call vote was taken and all members voted aye.  Mr. Lyle made a motion for Mr. Hannan to collect additional information from Mr. Gary Hanson on the items discussed in executive session.  Mr. Rosemier seconded the motion and it carried unanimously in a voice vote. 

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Ms. Turner at 7:55 p.m., seconded by Mr. Anderson, it was carried unanimously by voice vote to adjourn the meeting.

Attached are monthly reports and Forest Preserve activities.

                                                                                                            Chairwoman

                                                                                                             Julia Fauci

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