Letter to the Editor: Kane Neighbors for Open Space, Clean Water and Clean Air Endorses Referendum

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County will ask Kane County voters if they want more forest preserves and protected open space on the April 5 ballot. Please support this issue of improving the quality of life and keeping our environment clean by voting in favor for the referendum on April 5.

If approved by the voters, approximately 1,500 to 2,000 acres of additional land will be added to the Kane County forest preserves as open space for people and wildlife. This would make the forest preserve eligible for matching funds that would allow them to accomplish even more.

The Kane County forest preserve system currently consists of approximately 19,000 acres and lags behind several adjacent counties in terms of total acres preserved and percentage of overall land. If approved by the voters, the funds will be used to purchase open space and natural lands and to make some improvements in existing and new forest preserves that will provide access to the land. Most of the land purchases will be high quality natural areas and land along streams to create greenways and connect other open spaces together. Greenways are important for recreation, flood control, water quality improvement and wildlife habitat.

Preserving more open space will help alleviate traffic congestion and urban sprawl Kane County has witnessed over the past few years. Open space adds value to our properties and provides recreational opportunities for you and your families. Plus, land prices today are at their lowest levels in years, and now is the best time to purchase land from willing sellers at a fraction of the cost.

The amount of the bond is $30 million and the annual average tax for this referendum will be around $12 a year per household for 20 years. That is about $1 per month, 25 cents per week for a home valued at $268,000.

In 1999, 2005 and again in 2007, voters approved a $230 million in bonds for the forest preserve district with two-thirds support. The forest preserve district has preserved around 10,000 acres of natural areas since 1999 in all areas of Kane County.

We need you, your family and friends to make an extra effort to go vote on April 5 and say “ yes” for more open space and forest preserve property in Kane County. A clean and healthy environment for our children is easily worth a quarter (25 cents) per week. This is a sound investment for our future.

This referendum has been endorsed by both the Daily Herald and the Kane County Chronicle, citing it as a good investment for the future at a reasonable cost.

Bottom Line: For about $1 a month for an average Kane County home, we can preserve 2,000 acres of natural open lands that will NEVER produce homes, schools, roads and other costly public services that would significantly increase our taxes in the future.

Visit www.kaneopenspace.org for more information.

Jay Womack
Geneva