Two residents made a presentation before the Lake County Council Thursday about the importance of protecting lands and waterways throughout the county.
Connie Wachala, of Highland, and Jake Cseke, of Hobart, presented the council with information about “30 by 30,” a large-scale effort across the country to conserve at least 30% of land and ocean in the United States by 2030.
“We want to improve the balance between development and protected land. We’re not standing here today to say, ‘No more development in Lake County.’ We’re saying, ‘Let’s try to plan better,'” Cseke said.
Lake County is made up of 320,000 acres, 47% of which — or 136,00 acres — is considered urban, Cseke said. Most of that land is located in the northern part of the county, he said.
The state maintains 2,994 acres of protected land and the federal government maintains 2,073 acres of protected land, which is near the shoreline, he said.
The protect natural areas in Lake County make up approximately 15,137 acres, Cseke said, which makes up 4.7% of county land. City park land makes up another 7,297 acres throughout the county, he said.
The Lake County Parks Department conserves 6,358 acres, or 1.9% of the county, he said. But, those acres cover 42% of all protected lands in the county, Cseke said, so the parks department is “a leader” in this area.
Wachala said different things are considered when choosing land to protect: land with high ecological value, land near existing protected lands, waterways that improve water quality, land or water that could be used for outdoor recreation and land that makes up cultural and historic sites, among others.
The county can facilitate the protection of more open space by collaborating with local conservation agencies and creating zoning codes for parks and open spaces, Wachala said.
It’s important to protect more land and waterways to increase habitat for various species, lessen the threats from extreme weather, protect local food and water supplies, to increase tourism and to benefit local communities through increased property value and free flood mitigation, Wachala said.
Northwest Indiana is a “national hot spot” for birds and plant diversity, Wachala said, so protecting land and waterways would slow the decline of wildlife and plant populations in the region. It would also reduce noise and light pollution, she said.
The presentation included the decline of various species throughout Lake County, including a significant decline in red-winged blackbirds, blue jays and junco, Cseke said. Two endangered species in the county include the northern long-eared bat and the emerald green dragonfly, both of which eat mosquitoes, he said.
Cseke included pictures of the county from 1998 and 2020 that showed significant development in the county. Given the expansion in development and the dangers that poses to natural environments, “the time to act is now,” Cseke said.
“I believe Lake County can be a regional leader in this effort. We already kind of are, I think there’s more to be done though,” Cseke said. “I believe this is a great opportunity for each of you … to have a conservation legacy.”
Council President Ted Bilski, D-Hobart, said the 30% goal countywide “is a big number.”
“We have to rely on development. Otherwise, we can have 30% of land secured and not have a fire truck or an ambulance to respond to a need,” Bilski said. “There’s a fine line at that.”
Lake County Parks and Recreation Department CEO Jim Basala, told the council that “conceptually” he agrees with what the group presented. But, the financial reality of achieving it is a challenge, he said.
“You gotta pay for it, and in the end you have to buy — whether it’s 100,000 acres or 50,000 acres — you’re talking a big number: half a billion or a billion dollars if you were to buy it all now,” Basala said.
After acquiring natural land, Basala said it then has to be maintained, which costs more money in supplies and employees to do so.
“You gotta pay for it. That’s the reality of the situation,” Basala said.
The parks department has a master plan that addresses acquiring more open land and it looks to grant funds to finances those efforts, Basala said.
Cseke said partnering with other conservation organizations can limit the cost on the county. He also said he will present the council with a proposed resolution to consider conserving more natural spaces in the county.
Bilski told him the council’s attorney will review the resolution.
“That’s what we’re asking you today, is just to think about it and give it some momentum,” Cseke said.
