STOP MISUSE OF FOREST PRESERVE LAND!

$7.5 Million Dollars!

The DuPage County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners has approved a plan to spend $7.5 million to build a 28,500 sq. ft. Fleet Services Maintenance facility, using 3 acres of “protected” land, next to McKee Marsh, in the Blackwell Forest Preserve.

Plans from the 1970’s are still driving the current decision making processes – yet the demographics and Forest Preserve public usage patterns have changed substantially since then.  Initial site plans have been created with the intent for construction to begin in fall of 2009.  This is all being accomplished without clear public notice and without a zoning hearing since the Forest Preserve is exempt from County rules and standards that all other developers must follow. 

Consider: 

Ø      Most DuPage County Forest Preserve vehicles drive to and from Blackwell everyday – many a 45+ mile round trip on taxpayer time – does this make economic sense?

Ø      A full service garage – roughly the size of FIVE Jiffy Lubes, located in Blackwell.

Ø      16 service bays, 11+ mechanics, including a body shop and a paint booth.

Ø      The land being used was purchased as “protected” Forest Preserve land.

Ø      The Alternative Fuel Station in the McKee Marsh area was installed in 2008 without public involvement.

Ø      Review of alternate sites has not occurred.

Ø      A detailed review of cost vs. benefit related to this proposed facility and its associated activities has not been undertaken.

Ø      The nearby residents were not consulted.  Property values and neighborhood aesthetics will be affected.

Public input appears to be the only way to stop the DuPage County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners from turning our protected lands into an INDUSTRIAL PARK!

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1. Write or eMail the Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners.  Tell them that you oppose the use of Forest Preserve lands for industrial and/or maintenance purposes and squandering your taxpayer dollars for non-substantiated “centralization” claims.

A simple statement of your opposition to this project is all you need to do! 

2. Tell your friends to write or eMail the Forest Preserve Board.
3. Copy this flyer and pass it around. eMail it to your friends: Ask them to send an eMail to the FP Commissioners.
4. Write letters to the editor of your local and regional newspapers.
5. Post your concerns on blogs and chat sites; urge others to send emails to the DuPage County and Forest Preserver Board members.
6. Let us know if you can help by getting signatures opposing this project from your neighborhood in DuPage County.

 This is a DuPage County Issue!

 GET INVOLVED NOW AND SEND AN EMAIL OPPOSING THE USE OF PROTECTED LANDS FOR INDUSTRIAL  MAINTENANCE PURPOSES TO THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TODAY!

Send a simple eMail to the FP Commissioners by clicking here.

Detailed DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner Contact & District Information can be  found by clicking here.

updated 07/12/09 11:43 AM ET