Grayslake data center opponents call for wetlands protection: ‘Wetlands are incredibly important’
Opponents of the proposed T5 data center in Grayslake, Illinois, are focusing on the developer's application to fill nearly 16 acres of wetlands on the site, seeing it as a potential stopping point for the large project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is in the process of issuing a public notice regarding the wetlands permit, while a local opposition coalition is planning to file a lawsuit against the development.
Opponents of the T5 @ Chicago IV data center in Grayslake, Illinois, are targeting the developer's plan to fill 15.75 acres of wetlands, which they hope could halt the project. Michael Smith, co-founder of the Lake County Data Center Opposition Coalition, stated his group plans to file a lawsuit, criticizing Grayslake Village for deviating from its historical stance on wetland protection.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) notified T5 in April that it would issue a 30-day public notice regarding the wetland fill permit, but this notice has not yet been released. Brian Frank, chief engineer at the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC), confirmed the SMC's findings that some wetlands on site fall under USACE jurisdiction, while others are regulated by the county, with the final jurisdiction still under determination by the USACE.
Jennifer Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, expressed significant concerns, highlighting the crucial role wetlands play in drainage, flood control, water filtration, and wildlife habitat. The project, if fully built, could be one of Lake County's largest developments, spanning up to 10 million square feet of data center space.
Opposition is growing, with red signs appearing in yards and local government meetings seeing increased resident anger. Avon Township passed an opposition resolution, and Round Lake Park Village Board is considering a similar move. While Grayslake Mayor Elizabeth Davies and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 advocate for the project, citing tax revenue, jobs, and minimal utility impact due to T5's closed-loop cooling system, water advocates warn of higher electricity usage and potential discharge concerns. William Soucie of the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency stated the full campus would use less than 50,000 gallons of water daily, despite initial flush-and-fill requirements of 1.6 million gallons per 100-megawatt building. No permits for sewer discharge have been issued yet by the North Shore Water Reclamation District, with the process still in preliminary stages.