Proposal to Remove 635 Trees Under Consideration by Cook County Forest Preserve District Board

Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board Meeting - July 23, 201
​Meeting held at Brookfield Zoo

Board Actions:

• Moved to committee:  A request for authorization for the Forest Preserves of Cook County to grant a license to Nicor “to locate, operate and maintain 7,368 linear feet of 36-inch and 24-inch natural gas pipelines along the north edge of the Busse North Forest Preserve and Nature Preserve”.  The new license will replace the existing license agreements which go back to 1958 and 1970. The existing pipelines currently cut through the Nature Preserve and are of different sizes which makes inspection difficult. The location for the new pipelines will run along and parallel with the south edge of the I-90 right of way.  Nicor has requested a 66-foot-wide license area for the “construction, maintenance, safety, and inspection of the pipelines”. This construction access area will require 635 trees to be removed.  Referred to committee.   Item 19-0284.
• Moved to committee:  A motion to engage with a web-based evidence management system for the Forest Preserve Department of Law Enforcement. From a Request for Proposals, two responses were received.  Quicket Solutions, Inc. was determined to be the most responsive and cost-effective.  The system includes training and support for approximately 117 sworn law enforcement officers, sergeants and command staff and 6 civilians.  The goal is to move from a current paper based tracking system to a digital system.   Item 19-0320.

Other discussions of interest:

• Stuart Strahl, PhD. President and CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society, gave a presentation on the background, history and current programs/outreach at Brookfield Zoo.  Five thousand animals and five hundred-fifty species are represented at the zoo.  87% of Americans live in highly urbanized environments and benefit from access to the animals. and natural park space available at the zoo. 

Observed by: Laura Davis                                        Meeting Length: 1.15 hours