Message from the
Committee on the Environment, Dec. 2007:
Most residents in River Hills regard their village as a green oasis in the midst of expanding sprawl. The Committee on the Environment presented a stewardship mission statement defining a renewed effort to preserve and protect our village’s green oasis. In August 2004, the River Hills Village Board agreed to embrace the following as Village policy:
“The Village of River Hills’ greatest assets are its beautiful natural resources. As such, the Village should be a thoughtful steward of the ‘Environment.’ ‘Environment’ shall mean natural resources including air, water, flora and fauna. With the intent of setting a good example, the Village as a municipal body should respect the Environment in its daily activities and priorities. The Village should educate, suggest and in certain instances legislate that our citizens do the same. The Long Term Goal is simple - ‘that River Hills be an environmentally aware and healthy community.’”
Six months later the Committee on the Environment recommended a framework of environmental principles that will guide village resource management and responsible care of private property. The framework established three priorities:
Water Quality (natural boarders along the
Landscape Chemical Use (fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides) and,
Urban Forestry (trees, invasive plants, native plants).
The Village Board accepted these recommendations and voted to post signs at major entrances to the Village indicating that River Hills is “an environmentally friendly community.” These signs are now in place to inform everyone of our commitment to the environment. Each of these three topics will be discussed in upcoming issues of the River Hills Review.
Members of the Committee on the Environment:
Chair: Dr. Henry Gale
Members: Steven Anderson, Robert Boucher, Larry Boyer Ph.D., P.G., Julie Carpenter, Darlene Lochbeiler, Dona Mortara, Anne H. Vogel, Michael Weiss, Susan Winecki