CROW'S FOOT CONSERVATION AREA
Crow’s Foot Marsh Conservation Area Concept
The Boone County and the McHenry County Conservation Districts are interested in forming a partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to develop a conservation initiative aimed at preserving and enhancing habitat along the Kishwaukee River and its’ tributary, Coon Creek. Called the Crow’s Foot Marsh Conservation Area Concept, the proposal includes land in both Boone and McHenry Counties. Initial effort is focused on conservation of open space – farms, wildlife habitat, and water resources – through easements, incentive based programs or acquisition with willing participants or sellers.
A feasibility study was done to evaluate this area for its’ “conservation potential.” Funded by a grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, the study considered soils information, existing wildlife habitat, potential for habitat restoration, information about the floodplain, and existing drainage district. The study was not detailed enough to plan specific projects, or evaluate potential impacts.
The study offered information on the size and distribution of existing public open space relative to local and regional growth trends. Our community is growing, growing rapidly, and the feasibility study shows us that this is not just a local happening. The proposed concept offers us an opportunity to explore the creation of a large open space area over an extended period of time (30 to 50 years or longer) in an area that still contains some high quality habitat and offers the potential to protect one of the highest quality stream systems in the state of Illinois – the Kishwaukee River and several of its’ tributaries.
The concept seeks to involve the community in all aspects of this proposal. It is our strong desire that this concept move forward into a project that represents, as much as possible, a blend of interests from our community. This concept represents a unique opportunity, and some real challenges. So, we ask you to become informed, to look at this concept objectively, and participate in the planning process soon to be initiated.
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The concept seeks to: |
- Promote and offer a wide-range of options to encourage landowners to participate and implement on-the-ground conservation.
- Involve the public throughout the planning process.
- Acquire land from willing sellers only.
- Promote the preservation of important farmlands.
- Include a wide-range of passive, recreational opportunities such as trail systems for hiking & biking, equestrian trails and canoe & kayak trails. Camping, wildlife observation, educational programming, hunting and fishing are all potential activities being considered.
- Involve the Illinois Department of Natural Resources as a partner in owning and managing the proposed conservation area.
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The concept proposes to restore and enhance ecological functions and values through private and public stewardship efforts. |
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The proposal excludes homes in rural subdivisions or on small acreages from consideration for public open space. However, homeowners will be encouraged to participate in the conservation effort through private stewardship and incentive based conservation programs. |
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The concept proposes to manage acquired properties through an intergovernmental agreement between the Boone County Conservation District, the McHenry County Conservation District, and potentially – the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. |
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The concept recognizes and intends to respect all existing comprehensive plans. |
IDNR Supports Crow's Foot Conservation Area Initiative
Illinois Department of Natural Resources purchases 109 acres of land in Boone County and provides the Boone County Conservation District with a grant from the Open Land Trust program in the amount of two million dollars. The grant funds were made available to purchase land within the study area of the Crow’s Foot Conservation Area. The funds can only be used to purchase land from willing sellers. The Boone County Conservation District will be working with the landowners that originally expressed an interest to sell their land for conservation purposes. The lands acquired will remain in agricultural production and on the tax rolls until plans are developed for future uses. The local citizen’s committee will be involved in the development of these plans.
On March 28, 2003 the Boone County Conservation District purchased the 200-acre Ann Sewell Estate for $720,000 using funds from the IDNR grant. This is the first property purchased using these funds. The property is located at the northwest intersection of Fruit Farm Road and Garden Prairie Road south of the hamlet of Garden Prairie. As indicated in the paragraph above, the property will remain in agricultural production. Rent from this property will be used for habitat restoration and other site improvements. Public use of the property will likely be phased in over time. The District is negotiating with several other landowners in the area.