Outstanding floodplain managers and exemplary programs were presented with IAFSM awards at the 2023 conference in Tinley. The following awards were presented:
Floodplain Manager of the Year
Emily Grimm, CFM
This award recognizes outstanding individual efforts and contributions at the local level. The award honors an individual responsible for the development of a distinguished local program or activity, or someone who struggles to implement flood hazard reduction at the local level in the absence of sophisticated programs and support.
Emily Grimm is the Assistant Village Engineer and Stormwater Manager for the Village of Winnetka. The Village of Winnetka joined the CRS program in 2015 and currently ranks in Class 6. A large portion of the Village is in the 100-year floodplain, encompassing approximately 1/8 of the residential properties, making floodplain management a top priority for the Village. In her past work as an engineering consultant for Baxter & Woodman, Emily managed CRS programs for multiple municipalities, including Glenview and Niles. Now that she is working in Winnetka, she strives to incorporate knowledge and ideas from other communities into Winnetka’s existing CRS program. Emily has modernized outreach materials and updated the Village’s Flood Hazard Protection Regulations. She also continues to maintain the high floodplain and stormwater management standards for new development and has started examining the regulations along the lakefront to determine if stronger development regulations are needed in that area.
Emily has also assisted in the Village’s Stormwater Vision Project. Last year, the Village broke ground on its Stormwater Vision Project, which, in total, includes over 160 acre-feet of new stormwater storage and several conveyance projects to mitigate flooding on the west side of the Village. This project relies on intergovernmental cooperation and requires IGAs and organization with four governing bodies, including the Cook County Forest Preserve, to complete. This project is just getting started and will take multiple years to complete but will equate to an 87% reduction in flooded parcels for a 100-year storm event once complete.
Stormwater Management
Village of Wilmette
Awarded to a floodplain manager, an individual, a group of individuals, a consultant, or an agency who improved stormwater management or reduced urban flood risks through creative engineering, regulatory measures, or other approaches. The award can also be considered for someone who struggles to implemen flood hazard reduction at the local level in the absence of sophisticated programs and support.
The Village of Wilmette has long battled issues with urban flooding. The Village recently completed the Neighborhood Storage Project, the largest Capital Improvement Project in the Village of Wilmette’s History. The total project cost was approximately $64.1M and took 10 years to complete from the initial studies in 2013 to the completion of construction at the end of 2022. This project significantly transformed the quality of life on the entire west side of the Village, which had a long history of urban flooding. To provide the necessary flood relief, the Village installed 14.4 million gallons of underground stormwater storage at 3 prominent parks and 5 miles of storm sewer under streets throughout the west side of town.
The Village’s Public Works Department lead a full team effort that required cooperation and participation from consulting engineers, the Village Board, Park District, School District, neighborhood organizations, and most importantly, understanding and patience from Village residents.
Exellence in Mitigation
Lake County Stormwater Management Commission
This award is given to an individual or community that has encouraged flood hazard reduction through a buyout program, retrofitting, preparation of a mitigation plan, or other similar mitigation efforts.
Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) has been a leader in the State of Illinois when it comes to mitigation. SMC has been administering the Floodplain Property Buyout Program since 1998. Since then, SMC has spent over $24.1 million to acquire over 200 flood-prone properties. This has been done with a variety of funding mechanisms that include FEMA, DECO, IDNR, and of course local property tax funding.
In addition to flood mitigation projects, Lake County SMC utilizes the countywide Lake County Watershed Development Ordinance (WDO) with the intent of prohibiting new development from having adverse impacts on existing floodplain or stormwater issues and preventing new problems from arising. The WDO, which is implemented at the local level, establishes minimum countywide standards for stormwater management, including
floodplains, detention, soil erosion/sediment control, water quality treatment, and wetlands.
Lake County SMC also strives to provide reduced flood damages through flood hazard mitigation projects, implementing Best Management Practices, developing watershed management plans, and enforcing effective floodplain and stormwater management regulations. These practices are applied with a focus on natural resource protection and restoration by utilizing a mix of funding sources and partnerships to restore and enhance
the natural drainage system.
Outstanding Service Award
Dallas Alley, CFM
Awarded to an IAFSM officer, a Federal, State, or Local Official, or a consultant who has gone above and beyond normal expectations and duties to promote or encourage IAFSM goals. This award may also be given to an agency that has inspired floodplain management efforts or implemented unique programs that encourage flood reduction.
Dallas W Alley, the Director of Land Use and Development for the City of Fairview Heights, IL, joined Fairview Heights in 2021. Since that time, he has committed himself to improving the community’s quality of life and revitalizing the business corridor within the City. He is currently working to update the Development and Building Codes for the City and has recently implemented a new Floodplain Development Code. In addition to overseeing development projects, he administers the TIF districts within the City of Fairview Heights. Dallas has continually worked to improve compliance with the Fairview Heights Building, Zoning, and Code Enforcement Ordinances, improving property conditions, and coordinating with other governing agencies.
Prior to working for Fairview Heights, he worked for Swansea, IL from 2017 to 2021 where he managed all aspects of land use, construction, economic development, and revitalization. From 2005 to 2017, Alley was awarded multiple demolition grants and oversaw the demolition of over 250 dilapidated structures through State and Federal grant programs for St. Clair County, IL.
Currently, he serves as the Vice-Chair of the Illinois Association of Floodplain and Stormwater Managers, and has planned the past two annual conferences. Being a lifelong environmental advocate has contributed to his desire to preserve the natural functions of the floodplain and wetlands of Southwestern Illinois, as well as restore habitat for native pollinators.
French and Mary Lu Wetmore Award
Karen C. Kabbes, P.E., D.WRE, CFM
This award is the IAFSM’s highest honor. It is reserved for outstanding longtime floodplain managers. These individuals’ long-term contributions have made a noticeable impact on floodplain and stormwater management efforts in the State of Illinois. This award is not always given on a yearly basis.
Karen Kabbes was presented with the French and Mary Lu Wetmore Award for Lifetime Achievement for her efforts as a founding member of IAFSM and for her work as primary author of the State of Illinois Part 3708 rules: Floodway Construction In Northeastern Illinois.
IAFSM was formed in 1986. IAFSM’s success stemmed from the group of local, state and federal people that came together to form the Association. Karen was the first Vice Chair of IAFSM and the second Chair.
Significant flooding in 1986 sparked the Illinois General Assembly to amend the Rivers, Lakes and Streams Act [615 ILCS 5]. Included in the legislation was the prohibition of development in floodways in northern Illinois. The new law required the development of rules and Karen, as the Head of the Illinois Division of Water Resources’ Northeastern Illinois Floodplain Management Unit (then part of the Illinois Department of Transportation), was assigned the job of writing the Part 3708 Floodway Construction In Northeastern Illinois. Perhaps more challenging, she was responsible for implementing the rules.
One of the most challenging (and unpopular) jobs in stormwater and floodplain management profession is writing regulations, yet it is essential to the protection of people, property and communities. Karen built a tremendous team at the Illinois Office of Water Resources (OWR) to work with communities, developers and engineers, and
only “appropriate uses” in the floodway is fully accepted in northeastern Illinois. Although the Part 3708 rules apply only to the six-county Chicago metropolitan area, they have influenced OWR decisions, model ordinances and other efforts throughout Illinois.
For IAFSM, the 1987 flood in the Chicago area was a watershed event. The 1988 IAFSM conference had huge participation as local officials worked to learn more about regulations, stormwater management and mitigation. Karen helped provide the early leadership in IAFSM to create the organization that it is today.
Karen worked with the OWR’s Northeastern Illinois Floodplain Management Unit from 1977 until 1991. She has worked in local and regional government and created Kabbes Engineering, Inc. in 1997. She is a graduate of the
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in civil engineering, and the University of Illinois Chicago with a Masters of Public Administration.
Karen served as a co-chair for Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) Mapping and Engineering Committee and the Multi-Objective Management Committee and served on the ASFPM Board of Directors. She
has been very involved with the American Society of Engineers (ASCE) on infrastructure issues.