Welcome John Murray
Please join us in welcoming John Murray to our Hey Team! Johnny is a graduate of Ohio University/Russ College of Engineering and Technology with a BS degree in Civil Engineering, and Colorado State University/Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering with a MS degree in Civil Engineering. When he is not working, he enjoys skiing, surfing, camping, and playing soccer.
2023 Year in Review
Thank you to all of our clients and project partners for making 2023 a big success! Contact us to discuss how we can help you achieve your goals in 2024.
2023 IL Section ASCE Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award
Congratulations to the Village of Niles for receiving an Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award from the Illinois Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers for Golf Mill Park Stormwater Improvements. Hey led the project design to reduce flooding that had repeatedly impacted nearby homes, businesses, and roadways. The project integrated conveyance and storage improvements resulting in a new pond, underground storage beneath an event lawn, and a permeable paver streetscape. These features build on the existing amenities at the adjacent Golf Mill Park and will be further enhanced by the future redevelopment of Golf Mill Mall.
Welcome Eric Otto
Please join us in welcoming Eric Otto to our Hey Team. Eric is a graduate of the University of Iowa (BS, Civil Engineering) and the University of Minnesota (MS, Water Resources Science), and is an Illinois-licensed PE, CPESC, and CPSWQ. He brings over 20 years of public and private sector experience in civil/water resources/municipal engineering, stream/wetland restoration, site development/redevelopment, passive recreation, and project/program management. Throughout his career, Eric has consistently valued and sought out work that protects, preserves, and restores natural resources and benefits communities, and is eager to continue that at Hey.
Climate Change
The effects of climate change are already being felt in Illinois and the Upper Midwest. Weather patterns are becoming more extreme including short duration/high intensity rain events, periodic drought, and higher daytime and overnight temperatures. Curiously, people in northern Illinois may experience wetter and drier weather patterns in the same year due to intense rainstorms followed by prolonged drought. These climate change effects have obvious ramifications for our natural resources, but also have significant implications for our public works sector. Urban flooding, including infrastructure and overbank flooding, has become an increasing financial burden on public agencies. Some problems can be addressed through creative engineering solutions; other legacy factors may be difficult – and expensive – to remedy.
Buffalo Creek Reservoir at flood stage (Photo credit: MWRD)
The word “resiliency” is often thrown around these days but it is a necessity for a sane future. The United States has already experienced numerous natural disasters during the first few months of 2023, including wildfires in New Jersey, 25 inches of rain in one event in Florida, multiple tornadoes through the South and Midwest, and the unprecedented atmospheric river events in California. Addressing the impacts of such events will dictate future planning efforts, both financially and design related. At Hey and Associates, we strive to be innovative and look to incorporate nature-based solutions into our projects whenever appropriate and applicable.
For insights into the expected climate change effects in our region, using sound science, see The Nature Conservancy’s “An Assessment of the Impacts of Climate Change in Illinois.”
Welcome Ted Boggess
Please join us in welcoming Ted Boggess to our Hey Team! Ted is a graduate of Kenyon College in Ohio with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies. He will be working in our ecological restoration and native vegetation management department.
Are you ready for lakes season?
Melting remnant snow piles, longer days, and lighter evenings mark the beginning of spring and the anticipation of lake season. As days creep into the 50s, they feel like 70s and we picture ourselves, soon launching the pontoon for an afternoon cruise, casting from a pier, or spotting an osprey from a kayak. Kids will be splashing each other and the rest of us will wonder how they can tolerate the cold water on Memorial Day. Those sights and smells are right around the corner and we’re here to help you make sure the lake is ready for you!
Welcome Matt Bucher!
Please join us in welcoming Matt Bucher to our Hey Team! Matt is a 2014 graduate of St. Louis University with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. He has over 8 years of experience in ecological restoration management and monitoring, prescribed burning, tree assessments, and staff development.
Waters of the United States
What does the latest rule defining “Waters of the United States” mean and why another change? The USEPA and USACE have announced a final rule that is founded upon the pre-2015 definition of “Waters of the U.S.” The agencies chose the familiar pre-2015 definition as a foundation because it has been used in some fashion by every administration for the last 45 years under the Clean Water Act. Changing the rule in response to various court decisions in 2015, 2019, and 2022 has led to much confusion among the regulated communities. The agencies indicate that this new rule restores fundamental protections so that the nation will be brought closer to achieving Congress’ direction in the Clean Water Act that our waters be fishable and swimmable. It is hoped that this new rule will be clear and more robust, not requiring changes to respond to future Court decisions. Only the USACE makes the final decisions on whether any given wetland/Waters is a jurisdictional Waters of the U.S., but Hey and Associates staff can provide our best professional opinion based on the new rule and offer guidance on permitting.
Our major rivers such as the Fox and Des Plaines are considered traditionally navigable waters. They are under federal jurisdiction as are any defined tributaries to those rivers. Any wetlands adjacent to those rivers and tributaries are also jurisdictional. Beyond those wetlands and waters, it comes down to a significant nexus test based on whether a given wetland or water body contributes to the physical, chemical, or biological integrity of downstream waters of the U.S.
Welcome Evan Owens!
Please join us in welcoming Evan Owens to our Hey Team. Evan is a 2021 graduate of Jackson State University with a BS in Civil Engineering. Evan is passionate about bringing people and nature together in a sustainable way and creating a positive impact on the environment.
Happy New Year!
2022 was a busy year for all of us at Hey and Associates. Best wishes to everyone for a great 2023!
Welcoming Alex Jorgensen!
Please join us in welcoming Alex Jorgensen to our Hey Team. Alex is a recent graduate from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a BS in Civil Engineering and a minor in Environmental Engineering. He is an EIT in Illinois and has experience with HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, and ArcGIS. He is passionate about conservation and has a love for the outdoors. He hopes to use his engineering knowledge and passion for environmental protection to help Hey achieve our project goals.
2022 Sustainability in Civil Engineering Achievement Award
Congratulations to Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Lake County Forest Preserve District, and Village of Buffalo Grove for receiving the 2022 Sustainability in Civil Engineering Achievement Award from the Illinois Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Hey staff including Patrick Lach, Jeff Mengler, and Tim Pollowy were honored to join Joe Kratzer and Justin Kirk from MWRD and Kevin Kleinjan and Michael Haug from Lake County Forest Preserves during the presentation of the award. The project provided an additional 180 acre-feet of much needed flood storage, created over 1.5 miles of new trails and 7 boardwalks, enhanced several thousand feet of stream channel, restored over 50 acres of native prairie and wetlands, and planted more than 700 native trees in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.
Reinventing a Chicago canal into the Wild Mile | ASCE
The Wild Mile Chicago! During the first phase of this unique project, @Urban Rivers developed floating wetlands and walkways. Hey is working on the next phase which focuses on providing shoreline stabilization and habitat restoration along approximately one half mile of the North Branch Canal abutting Goose Island – about one quarter of the entire Wild Mile Planning area. Read more below…
Donald Hey Tribute
We are deeply saddened that our founder, Dr. Donald Hey, passed away July 24, 2022. Donald Hey was trained as a civil engineer but obtained his PhD. in water resources systems analysis from Northwestern University. He used this training and his boundless energy and vision to influence virtually every aspect of water resources management today. He founded Hey and Associates, Inc. in 1976. He developed the technical foundation for stormwater management in Illinois including current stormwater management regulations. He developed an updated sophisticated accounting approach to record the use of Lake Michigan water by Illinois. Also, Donald was an early advocate of using natural and constructed habitats for stormwater management, which we now collectively refer to as “green infrastructure.” One of his most well-known insights was the role of beavers in the formation of wetlands before European arrival. His study and insights about the ability to restore and create wetlands and the benefits they provide led to the formation of Wetland Research Inc. and the construction of the renown Des Plaines River Wetlands Demonstration Project in Wadsworth, Illinois. That project documented that wetlands could be restored and even built from scratch and also helped define the water resource and habitat benefits they provide. He developed one of the first wetland mitigation banks in Illinois under the management of Wetland Research, Inc. He sold the firm to past and current management and left formal consulting in 1997. He wanted to continue to pursue his passion for wetlands restoration and formed The Wetlands Initiative which went on to complete many notable projects particularly the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge at Hennepin, Illinois. Donald’s more recent pursuits included an endless promotion of the emerging market of nutrient farming/trading and the use of natural habitats for carbon sequestration. In addition, he was an adjunct professor at Northwestern. There is scarcely a single aspect of water resources management in Illinois that does not in some way owe a debt to his efforts. We will miss him dearly.
Donald’s Celebration of Life will be held on September 29th at the Evanston Ecology Center.
Welcoming Will Overbeck!
Please joins us in welcoming Will Overbeck to our Hey Team.
Will is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University with a Master of Science in Plant Taxonomy, and nearly 15 years of experience. He has worked with well-respected conservation organizations across the Chicago region including Illinois Nature Preserves Commission and The Morton Arboretum. His previous work included botanical identification, wetland delineations, plant propagation, and ecological management.
National Rivers Month 2022
National Rivers Month is celebrated during June every year in recognition of the environmental, economic, and social significance of rivers and streams in more than 60 countries worldwide.
Many midwestern streams and rivers are degraded by the unintentional consequences of land use ranging from agriculture to urbanization. A February 2022 report from IEPA indicated that only 60% of surveyed Illinois streams and rivers were fully supporting of aquatic life.
Hey and Associates’ staff are working with private and public clients in watersheds across northern Illinois to restore our rivers and streams. Projects include dam removal, restoration of in-stream habitat such as riffles and pools, restoration of riparian environments such as wetlands and floodplains, and related efforts to restore the health and integrity of our rivers and streams. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you achieve your goals and objectives!
Happy International Women in Engineering Day
As female engineers, we are continuously inspired to create long-lasting positive impacts on the communities we call home. For International Women in Engineering Day, Hey asked us about why we chose this profession and what we enjoy about it. Here’s what we said:
“I wanted to help build things that mattered and helped people.”
“Engineering has allowed me to use my love of math and science to leave the earth a better place than I found it!”
“Every day I work towards building healthier and more sustainable places to live, explore, and learn.”
Fun Fact: The Society of Women Engineers did a study in June 2021 that estimated 16.5% of engineers are women. At Hey, we're lucky enough to have 40%!
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at The Preserve of Highland Park
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on June 2nd at The Preserve of Highland Park. Hey and Associates worked with the @Park District of Highland Park to convert a former golf course into this 100-acre park where people of all abilities can immerse themselves in nature. In addition to nearly 50 acres of prairie and wetland restoration, The Preserve features several miles of trails that lead to restored ponds, oak woodlands, specialty gardens, overlooks, picnic areas, and nature play areas.
Welcome Paige Adams!
Please join us in welcoming Paige Adams to our Hey Team. Paige is a graduate of Iowa State University with a BS in Civil Engineering and a Master of Design in Sustainable Environments. Paige is an EIT and ENV SP in Illinois. She is experienced with AutoCAD, ArcGIS, HEC-RAS, XPSWMM used for municipal engineering development and stormwater management projects. Welcome aboard Paige!