For the last 30 years, residents and local community and environmental organizations from the Calumet Region have been fighting back for their community. After decades of pollution and waste on the southeast side, progress has been made after investments and redevelopment to the area.
In 1984, area residents where successful in implementing the first landfill moratorium in the City of Chicago, and then continued the battle every two years against interests such as Waste Management, until 2005 when the a 20 year moratorium was implemented.
Today, the fight continues as Waste Management fights to STOP an amendment in Springfield that would preserve the status quo and progress that has been made.
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Millennium Reserve Initiative
This Initiative coordinates federal, state and local partners to establish the largest open space project in the country at 140,000 acres and more than 40 partner organizations. More than $17 million has been allocated to this initiative.
Calumet Area Land Use Plan
In 2002, the City of Chicago adopted the plan to govern future development in the Lake Calumet area. New or expanded landfills are inconsistent with that Plan. It designates approximately 1,000 acres for industrial and business revitalization and 4,000 acres for wetlands and open space areas.
Calumet Open Space Reserve Plan
Significant resources have been expended by government agencies to acquire and restore land for what will become the largest nature reserve in the city. Zoning classifications have been established to protect natural areas in the Calumet Open Space Reserve to set land aside for public open space, public parks, and public beaches.
Environmental Investments
Illinois State Geological Survey studies have concluded that significant portions of the Calumet area are sensitive to aquifer contamination.
Natural Wildlife
The area is home to bald eagles, black-crowned night-herons, glass lizards, Blanding’s turtle, and
Franklin’s ground squirrel along with more than 2,000 other species including 40 rare plant and 20 rare animal species.
Economic Investments
The City of Chicago has invested more than $12 million in environmental investments and more than $40 million has been invested for preservation and restoration.
This Initiative coordinates federal, state and local partners to establish the largest open space project in the country at 140,000 acres and more than 40 partner organizations. More than $17 million has been allocated to this initiative.
Calumet Area Land Use Plan
In 2002, the City of Chicago adopted the plan to govern future development in the Lake Calumet area. New or expanded landfills are inconsistent with that Plan. It designates approximately 1,000 acres for industrial and business revitalization and 4,000 acres for wetlands and open space areas.
Calumet Open Space Reserve Plan
Significant resources have been expended by government agencies to acquire and restore land for what will become the largest nature reserve in the city. Zoning classifications have been established to protect natural areas in the Calumet Open Space Reserve to set land aside for public open space, public parks, and public beaches.
Environmental Investments
Illinois State Geological Survey studies have concluded that significant portions of the Calumet area are sensitive to aquifer contamination.
Natural Wildlife
The area is home to bald eagles, black-crowned night-herons, glass lizards, Blanding’s turtle, and
Franklin’s ground squirrel along with more than 2,000 other species including 40 rare plant and 20 rare animal species.
Economic Investments
The City of Chicago has invested more than $12 million in environmental investments and more than $40 million has been invested for preservation and restoration.