The Calumet Stormwater Collaborative (CSC) has been convening stakeholders to solve flooding and water quality problems in the Little Calumet River and Cal-Sag Channel watersheds since 2014. More than 40 organizations participate in CSC. During monthly meetings, group members exchange information on water quality and flooding needs as well as worthwhile projects and initiatives.
The collaborative has developed free, online green infrastructure design templates for communities, a new data-mapping tool for the region, a repository of stormwater management resources, and a logic model for GI training and maintenance.
In 2018, the collaborative developed a three-year work plan (www.metroplanning.org/uploads/ cms/documents/csc_workplan_2018_2021_final.pdf) and convened a community workshop. In 2017 and 2018, CSC developed four watershed plans including the Little Calumet River and Cal-Sag Channel watersheds as well as the Des Plaines River in Cook County and Poplar Creek. These plans, which were approved by Illinois EPA, recommend best management practices such as green infrastructure to reduce nutrient pollution from stormwater. Communities and other stakeholders in the watersheds can apply for Section 319 grants to help support key projects.
