Title: Illinois State Water Plan and Its Next Steps
Abstract:
The Illinois State Water Plan, which serves as a blueprint for addressing key water-related challenges in the state over the next decade, has been updated for the first time since 1984 and is available to help guide state and local leaders in setting priorities for water resources. The updated Illinois State Water Plan spotlights 13 key water issues and focuses on improving the resiliency, sustainability, public safety, stewardship, economic development, and understanding of the water resources of Illinois to improve the lives of the people of the state while integrating social and environmental justice.
The State Water Plan presents an opportunity for all water related state agencies and stakeholders to work together to adjust state programs and policies in water resources by recommending necessary changes and new ideas to elected officials and key leaders in the state of Illinois. The updated State Water Plan provides a seven-year-focus strategic plan containing 147 actionable and measurable recommendations for future inclusive and equitable state water resources development in Illinois.
The next phase is implementing the plan by working closely with the General Assembly and stakeholders. The plan is dynamic and subject to change by the State Water Plan Task Force based on stakeholder collaboration to address these changes in Illinois for the good of its inhabitants.
Bios:
Loren Wobig P.E., CFM - Director - IDNR Office of Water Resources (OWR)
Loren serves as the Director of the Office of Water Resources in the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, overseeing all planning, design, operations, water supply, Lake Michigan water allocation and coastal programs, dam safety, and floodplain regulatory programs in Illinois. He also serves as an Illinois Commissioner and Chair of the Illinois delegation on the Great Lakes Commission and as Governor Pritzker’s representative on the Great Lake St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers Compact Council. Loren is an Illinois Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) and Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) and has held several leadership positions in the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Illinois Association for Floodplain and Stormwater Management (IAFSM). Loren Wobig received his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University in 1984 and has worked for the Office of Water Resources in various regulatory, project management and leadership capacities ever since then.
Wes Cattoor P.E., CFM - Section Chief, OWR - Engineering Studies
Wes serves as the Section Chief of Engineering Studies in the Office of Water Resources at IDNR. The responsibilities include overseeing flood control, dam removal, flood surveillance, dam operations and water supply planning programs in Illinois. He has in the field of water resources for 19 years including 16 with the IDNR – Office of Water Resources. Wes has worked on over a dozen projects requiring flood damage assessments and managed the State of Illinois HUD National Disaster Resiliency Competition submittal. He is a graduate from Missouri University of Science & Technology, a Professional Engineer in Illinois and a Certified Floodplain Manager.
Terra McPartland, P.E., CFM - Flood Surveillance Program Manager, OWR – Engineering Studies
Ms. McParland joined IDNR – Office of Water Resources (OWR) after working in the consultant field for much of her career. As part of the Engineering Studies Section, one of her duties is as Flood Surveillance Program Manager. She coordinates with IEMA and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during flood events and provides technical assistance when needed. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1990 and decided to forgo the snow and head to Hawaii to complete her Master of Science in Environmental Engineering at the University of Hawaii in 1992. She is a registered professional engineer (PE), Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) and has obtained certifications for the LEED and Envision sustainable design programs.
