 | ||
|
 | |
 | ||
 | ||
| ||
 | ||
 | ||
 | ||
 | ||
 | ||
 | ||
|
| ||
| ||
|
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
Clean the Water: Lower Des Plaines River & Chicago Area Waterways
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has proposed tighter water quality standards for the Chicago Area Waterways System (CAWS) and Lower Des Plaines River that would:
1. Dramatically reduce levels of bacteria that can infect people and wildlife; and
2. Help fish and other aquatic species by better regulating water temperature and increasing the amount of oxygen in the water that they need to survive.
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) does not currently disinfect the treated sewage dumped into the waterways by its North Side, Calumet and Stickney wastewater treatment plants, which results in high levels of bacterial contamination that can cause illness in humans and wildlife. The proposed rules would require MWRD to disinfect the wastewater effluent before it is discharged into our waterways.
The last thirty-five years of environmental regulation and public works projects have done much to reverse damage to the CAWS and Lower Des Plaines River caused by a long history of abuse. Because of this progress, the IEPA proposes to improve the outdated standards that apply to these streams for the first time in twenty five years. By supporting these new stronger protections, you can help make a tremendous difference in water quality, allowing biodiversity to return to the area and people to more safely enjoy the waterways.
How You Can Help
The Illinois Pollution Control Board (Board) is currently reviewing the IEPA proposed rules. You can best show your support during this process by:
- Sitting in on a Board hearing to demonstrate your interest in improving the standards for these waterways. The Board will hold a special hearing to take public comment on the proposed standards on Monday, June 16 from 5:30 - 8 pm at MWRD’s offices at 100 E Erie in Chicago. This is the public's chance to show their support for the proposed improved standards. Even if you are not comfortable testifying at the hearing, your attendance at the hearing will help demonstrate the public's desire for improvements to these waterways.
- Sharing your own recreational experiences on the CAWS and Lower Des Plaines River- take our survey or join us at the June 16 public hearing. We need citizens to testify about their own recreational use of the Chicago River, North Shore Channel, Calumet-Sag Channel, Little Calumet River, Grand Calument River, Lake Calumet and Lower Des Plaines River and their desire for improved conditions for safe recreation by paddlers and to restore fisheries for anglers. If you are interested in making a brief statement at the hearing, please contact Cindy Skrukrud at cindy.skrukrud@sierraclub.org. We are trying to track the total number of people who plan to speak at the June 16 meeting so we can try to have time for everyone.
- Sign up to receive regular updates on the progress of IEPA's proposal and future hearing dates. Contact Cindy Skrukrud at cindy.skrukrud@sierraclub.org or Jen Hensley at 312-251-1680 x3.
For more information, visit the Illinois Pollution Control Board site at:
http://www.ipcb.state.il.us/cool/external/CaseView2.asp?referer=coolsearch&case=R2008-009
or contact Cindy Skrukrud at cindy.skrukrud@sierraclub.org.