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Lake Cook Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society
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FORT SHERIDAN OPEN SPACE ALERT:
We are inviting you to help influence the plans for Fort Sheridan, a Lake County Forest Preserve in Illinois, located on the bluffs of Lake Michigan. Without expressing your wishes, this unique area may soon become a golf course. You are invited to express your position now. Please read how you can make your wishes known.
What’s Happening Today
On January 30, 2009, the Board of Commissioners of the Lake County Forest Preserve District (LCFPD) heard the results of a golf course market assessment by Golf Resources Associates regarding the open space at Fort Sheridan - a wonderful birding site on the shores of Lake Michigan. Steps have already been taken to re-establish the golf course that once sat on top of the bluff.
In September, 2009 an advisory group made up of local municipal governments, including park districts, will begin deliberations regarding this property.
Background
As you may know, Fort Sheridan was decommissioned as a military base in 1993. The LCFPD acquired what is now the Forest Preserve property from the military beginning in 1998. Under the terms established by the military when the transfer of property took place, the original golf course was to be restored.
That project was delayed by piles of dirt left behind when the Town of Fort Sheridan was built in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Now it is on the front burner again because, in August, the original developers agreed to pay $1.75 million to LCFPD to settle a lawsuit to pay for the dirt removal and re-grading of the site. Advocates are vocal and well-organized (www.flcg.org).
Issues
Economics
From a purely economic point of view, a golf course could be problematic. Golf courses operated by the county cannot be financed by taxpayer dollars; construction and operating costs must be self-sustaining. A new golf course would have to compete with the many other public courses on the North Shore in a declining golf market.
Public Access
 From a habitat conservation and public access point of view, there are other concerns. According to the LCFPD website (www.lcfpd.org), for example, the master plan calls for a small visitor center and clubhouse on top of the bluff. You can download the master plan here.
Habitat
The golf course may also threaten some of the 140
species known to migrate through the property.The grassland just north
of the parking lot has regularly attracted Savannah Sparrows, Eastern
Meadowlarks, Bobolinks and Dickcissels.
During the spring, the small pond atop the bluff hosts an unusual variety of migrating waterfowl, including Blue and Green-winged Teals, Redheads and Ring-necked Ducks. The last two winters, Snow Buntings were reported foraging in the upland and beach habitat, and at least one report of a Northern Shrike was been confirmed.
Statewide Significance
By the county’s own account, the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve is of statewide significance because its bluff areas contain the largest and best remaining examples of natural prairie-like vegetation that once occurred along the lake bluffs of Illinois.” Whether this status can be sustained with a golf course remains to be seen.
Take Action
Your actions today can impact Lake County for decades. It will cost you nothing but time. Please do one or all of the following:
a) Write a letter to your County Commissioner and copy the Board President. Here is the contact information you need. Three sentences. You don’t need to write an essay. Do it now.
Your Commissioner’s Name (See list here) (Find your district number here)
18 N. County Street
10th Floor
Waukegan, IL 60085
b) Send an email to your County Commissioner and copy the Board President (only). Don’t spam anyone. But state your case. Three sentences. Here’s their email addresses. Click this link
Contact
For additional information about this issue contact the following:
Sonny Cohen. email.
Donnie Dann email
Jane Mikulsi email
Help Protect Fort Sheridan's Natural Lakeshore
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