Unincorporated Roads

Road Repair and Maintenance

West Deerfield Township contracts with the Vernon Township Highway Department to insure safe driving conditions for all motorists. The highway department provides such services as snow plowing, shoulder grading, pavement repair and rehabilitation, repainting of traffic control markings on the pavement, and signage. If you have a concern about one of the unincorporated roads in our township, please call the township office at 847.945.0614.

Construction Vehicle and Tree Ordinance
Two, new ordinances were recently passed by the West Deerfield Township Board of Trustees that are relevant to residents living in West Deerfield Township's unincorporated areas. Ordinance 2008-3, effective June 17, 2008, ordains that construction vehicles will be subject to a fee based on the cost of the construction project. This non-refundable fee is equal to 2% of the first $25,000, and 1% of the project cost in excess of $25,000. Ordinance 2008-3 is designed to protect the roads and reduce repair and maintenance expenses. Ordinance 2008-5, effective August 1, 2008, establishes tree removal permit fees and ordains that no one is permitted to remove trees located within the Township right-of-way (30 ft. from the center of the road) without prior approval by the Township. The intent of this ordinance is to foster the preservation, protection, planting and proper maintenance of trees in the Township right-of-way.

A full copy of these ordinances is available at the West Township Office at 601 Deerfield Road, Deerfield, Illinois or by clicking here.

Permit System in Place

Permits are required for work done on the roadways or the easements of township roads in West Deerfield Township. Our hope is that this will assist you and neighbors with projects that you may undertake, as well as provide a monitoring system for the contractors and others who need access to the easement and roads. This would include major jobs like replacing a driveway, as well as minor ones like placing a new post in the ground for a mailbox. The right of way may extend up to thirty (30) feet from the center of the road.

Permit Information and Forms

An application for work to be done impacting the right-of-way in an unincorporated area of the Township is available at the West Deerfield Township office during regular business hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 A.M. until noon, and 1:00 P.M. until 4:30 P.M., or may be downloaded. Click here to download the application form and packet.
 

Note: The application form and packet is in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Click on the icon to download Adobe Reader 8.0.

Right-of-Way Access Permits

• Applications must be complete before review process will begin. The application fee is $30.

• Any Construction activity adjacent to or within the Right-Of-Way exceeding $1,500 will require an access permit.

• No open cutting of the roadway pavement is allowed unless approval is granted by the Township Engineer.

• Failure to post the required bonding, vehicle and permit fees can result in fining of up to $500 per day for any construction activity that occurs on or adjacent to Township Right-of-Way.

Please see "Permit Information" for information on obtaining a permit.

E.P.A. Websites

West Deerfield Township’s goal is to be in compliance with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency "National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System." The following websites provide valuable information to you regarding the Clean Water Act, storm water management, and recycling.

http://www.epa.state.il.us

http://www.co.lake.il.us/smc

http://www.SWALCO.com

The EPA has thousands of employees that are trained and educated, scientists, engineers and environmental specialists. Their responsibilities are to protect human health and the natural environment; including air, water and land. The EPA website is loaded with information regarding pollution, safety practices, legislation and a special area for the kids.

Vernon Township's goal is to be in compliance with the U.S. Environmental Pollution Agency "National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System" and also the "Clean Water Act." We have compiled information and procedures that can help reduce storm water pollution in our township.

Storm Water Runoff
What is storm water runoff?

Storm water runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent storm water from naturally soaking into the ground.

Why is storm water runoff a problem?
Storm water can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly to a lake, river or wetland. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is untreated and discharged into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing and providing drinking water.

The Effects of Pollution
Polluted storm water runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals and people. Sediment can cloud water and make it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grow. Sediment can also destroy aquatic habitats. Excess nutrients can cause algae blooms. When algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose, in a process that removes oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic organisms can’t exist in water with low dissolved oxygen levels. Bacteria and other pathogens can wash into swimming areas and create health hazards, often making beach closures necessary. Debris―plastic bags, six-pack rings, bottles, and cigarette butts―washed into water bodies can choke, suffocate, or disable aquatic life like ducks, fish, turtles, birds. Household hazardous wastes like insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil, and other auto fluids can poison aquatic life. Land animals and people can become sick or die from eating diseased fish and shellfish or ingesting polluted water. Polluted storm water often affects drinking water sources. This in turn, can affect human health and increase drinking water treatment costs.

Storm Water Pollution Solutions
Recycle or properly dispose of household products that contain chemicals, such as insecticides, pesticides, paint, and solvents, and used motor oil and other auto fluids. Don’t pour them onto the ground or into storm sewers.

Lawn Care
Excess fertilizers and pesticides applied to lawns and gardens wash off and pollute streams. In addition, yard clippings and leaves can wash into storm drains and contribute nutrients and organic matter to streams. Don't over water your lawn. Consider using a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler. Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. When use is necessary, use these chemicals, in the recommended amounts. Use organic mulch or safer pest control methods whenever possible. Compost or mulch yard waste. Don’t leave it in the street or sweep it into storm drains or streams. Cover piles of dirt or mulch being used in landscaping projects.

Auto Care
Washing your car and degreasing auto parts at home can send detergents and other contaminants through the storm sewer system. Dumping automotive fluids into storm drains has the same result as dumping the materials directly into a water body. Use a commercial car wash that treats or recycles its wastewater, or wash your car on your yard so the water infiltrates into the ground. Repair leaks and dispose of used auto fluids and batteries at designated drop-off or recycling locations.

Septic Systems
Leaking and poorly maintained septic systems release nutrients and pathogens (bacteria and viruses) that can be picked up by storm water and discharged into nearby waterbodies. Pathogens can cause public health problems and environmental concerns. Inspect your system every three years and pump your tank as necessary (every 3–5 years). Don’t dispose of household hazardous waste in sinks or toilets.

Pet Waste
Pet waste can be a major source of bacteria and excess nutrients in local waters. When walking your pet remember to pick up the waste and dispose of it properly. Flushing pet waste is the best disposal method. Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks allowing harmful bacteria and nutrients to wash into the storm drain and eventually into local water bodies.

Residential Landscaping
Permeable Pavement―Traditional concrete and asphalt don't allow water to soak into the ground. Instead these surfaces rely on storm drains to divert unwanted water. Permeable pavement systems allow rain and snowmelt to soak through, decreasing storm water runoff. Rain Barrels―you can collect rainwater from rooftops in mosquito-proof containers. The water can be used later for lawn or garden areas. Rain Gardens and Grassy Swales―Specially designed areas planted with native plants can provide natural places for rainwater to collect and soak into the ground. Rain from rooftops or paved surfaces can be diverted into these areas rather than into storm drains. Vegetated Filter Strips―Filter strips are areas of native grasses or plants created along roadways or streams. They trap pollutants the storm water picks up as it flows across driveways and streets.

For more information about reducing storm water pollution you can go to www.epa.gov.

Recycle

Electronics
Some electronic equipment can have harmful effects on the environment if disposed of improperly. Consider recycling the equipment, by utilizing an electronics collection event scheduled by SWALCO.

Household Chemical Waste
Disposal of potentially harmful materials is a challenge. Personal and environmental damage can occur if they are disposed of in the trash, poured down the drain or dumped on the ground.

The following materials are typical household chemical waste:

National Pollution Detection Elimination System

In urbanized areas there are greater amounts of impervious surfaces, such as streets, sidewalks, driveways and parking lots that common pollutants such as pesticides, fertilizers, alt, oil, litter and other debris can settle. The pollutants remain there until a storm event washes them away into nearby storm drains and are discharged untreated to waterways.

In response to this, as of March 2003 the municipalities of Lake County were required to have a permit for Phase II of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Pollution Detection Elimination System (NPDES). Phase II is intended to reduce the negative impact to water quality and aquatic habitat by controlling unregulated sources of storm water discharge.

The municipalities are to implement a stormwater management program, which addresses 6 minimum control measures; public education, public participation, construction site runoff, post construction site runoff, detection of illicit discharge, and municipal pollution prevention. As part of Lake County, Vernon Township has the benefit of the Stormwater Management Commission (SMC). SMC has formed an ad-hoc Municipal Advisory Committee (MAC) that consists of representatives from villages, townships, drainage districts, consultants, and the county. Through this committee SMC coordinates the local program, provides technical assistance and outreach services. Because of the countywide activities of SMC including the Watershed Development Ordinance (WDO) 4 of the 6 control measures are already in place.