https://cook-county.legistar.com/Gateway.aspx?M=LD&From=RSS&ID=7983912&GUID=2C809946-BF97-474B-AEEA-4503744358D1Legistar15https://cook-county.legistar.com/Gateway.aspx?M=LD&From=RSS&ID=7983912&GUID=2C809946-BF97-474B-AEEA-4503744358D12C809946-BF97-474B-AEEA-4503744358D1-2026-04-22-22-34-59Title: PROPOSED RESOLUTION RESOLUTION TO ADVANCE CHICAGO AREA WATERWAY SYSTEM ECOLOGICAL HEALTH WHEREAS, The Chicago Waterway System (CAWS) comprises approximately 76.1 miles of canals and modified natural rivers, which encompasses a diverse landscape of prairies, woodlands, savannas, and wetlands as well as industrial, residential, and commercial developments; and WHEREAS, the CAWS is home to a variety of wildlife, including larger animals such as coyotes and deer, as well as small aquatic plants like duckweed, which is considered one the smallest flowering plants in the world; and WHEREAS, the CAWS is one of the most closely monitored urban river systems in the United States, with a special thanks to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD); and WHEREAS, since 1974, monitored fish populations in the CAWS have shown substantial increases in species diversity, from 10 species in 1974 to 77 species in 2026, reflecting significant improvements in water quality and aquatic habitat; and WHEREAS, despite the collaborative research efforts with partWed, 22 Apr 2026 22:34:59 GMT