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PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
FOREST PRESERVE LANDS AND PROPERTY ORDINANCE
BE IT ORDAINED, by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners, that Title 2 - Forest Preserve Lands and Property, Chapter 5 - Authorized Conveyance of Property, Section 1 - Purpose of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Code is hereby amended as Follows:
Chapter 5 - Authorized Conveyance of Property.
2-5-1: Purpose.
2-5-2: Request for Authorized Conveyance of Forest Preserve Land.
2-5-3: Sale of Surplus Forest Preserve Land.
2-5-4: Transfer of Land.
2-5-5: Annexation.
2-5-6: Eminent Domain.
2-5-7: Easements.
2-5-8: Required Review Factors.
2-5-1: PURPOSE
A. In 1913, the Illinois General Assembly authorized the creation of County Forest Preserve Districts, and granted the Commissioners thereof, the specific power: "To acquire and hold lands containing natural forests, or lands connecting such forests for the purpose of protecting and preserving the flora, fauna and scenic beauties, and to restore, restock, protect and preserve the natural forests and said lands, together with their flora and fauna, as nearly as may be, in their natural state and condition, for the purpose of the education, pleasure and recreation of the public."
B. The Forest Preserve District is the single largest land owner in Cook County and has acquired to date, a system of forested lands and lands connecting them, totaling 68,000 acres, in accordance with Illinois State Statute 70 ILCS 810 which currently allows for the maximum acquisition of a total of 75,000 acres.
C. It is the purpose of this Ordinance to establish rules and regulations governing the authorized conveyance of Forest Preserve lands. The Board of Commissioners finds that such rules and regulations are required in order to protect and preserve the property, natural areas, forests, trees, vegetation, wildlife, scenic beauties, natural resources, flora and fauna, facilities an...
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