ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS COMPLETED
Project reviews completed from October 15 to November 15 are listed below. These projects have been screened through the internal environmental review process for potential impacts on wetlands, threatened and endangered species, and cultural and archaeological resources etc. Through the review process it was determined that environmental impacts have been kept to a minimum and mitigated as necessary and that they do not meet the criteria for significant actions as defined in the environmental review process and may proceed. All of these projects are in compliance with the Endangered Species Protection Act, Natural Areas Preservation Act, Interagency Wetlands Policy Act and cultural resource statutes.

• Green River State Wildlife Area
  0006459 - This project involves the reestablishment of an existing 30' fire break at the site. Encroaching vegetation has reduced the width of the break to 5' in spots. Once reestablished, the firebreak will be maintained through mowing, diking, and the use of a tree root plow. Project was submitted for review on 8-27-00.

• Horseshoe Lake (Madison Co.)
  0007598 - This project involves the construction of a concrete pad and a picnic shelter on the south west side of the group campground area. A large group grill will also be located on the north side of the shelter. Project was submitted for review on 10-16-00.

• Argyle Lake State Park
  0007597 - This project will provide for the replacement of the pipe in a dam on the former Martin Property. This replacement will allow for the creation of a 1.5 acre marsh for habitat. Project was submitted for review on 10-16-00.

• Argyle Lake State Park
  0007596 - This project involves the installation of a new sewage treatment system. The new facility will either be a package Jet treatment plant or a septic tank with a buried sand filter. 100' of sewer line will be run east of the maintenance building and connect to the system. Project was submitted for review on 10-16-00. 

• Rauchfuss Hill
  0007317 - This project will include the development of a 3/4 mile long hiking trail at the site. Trail development will include the trimming and pruning of branches, installation of culverts and aggregate cover at drainage crossings and the addition of wood chip for the tread way. Signing may be installed at a later date. Project was submitted for review on 10-6-00.

• Tunnel Hill State Trail
  0007316 - The Karnak Utility District has requested permission to cross the Trail adjacent to Rt. 169 in the town of Karnak with an underground gas line. The gas line will impact an area approximately 6-10' wide by 100' in length and will be set back approximately 50' from the edge of the road. Project was submitted for review on 10-6-00.

• I & M Canal
  0002912 - This project involves repairs to the tow path bridge at the Little Vermilion Aqueduct near LaSalle. The focus of the work will be to repair the deteriorated masonry below the bridge. Project was submitted for review on 6-1-00.

• Clinton Lake State Park
  0007304 - Under this project, the existing parking lot at Camp Quest will be reshaped and expanded. The parking addition will accommodate approximately 10 cars and 6 cars with trailers. One 12' x 65' RV camp pad with an additional 15' x 20' living area will also be added. Project was submitted for review on 10-10-00.

• Mermet Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area
  0005056 - The Fort Massac Water District will be running newly installed water main lines to each of the site's department buildings. The work will include running a 2" waterline from the county roadway to the site office, site maintenance building, and the site residence. The lines will be run along the edge of the roadways as far as possible and then in a straight line to the buildings. Project was submitted for review on 7-10-00.

• North Point Marina 
  0006982 - Ameritech has agreed to install over 4,500' of phone cable at the site so that the fire alarm can be connected. The cable will be installed in lawn areas with a vibratory plow, bored under Main Street and Marina Drive, and trenched through the driveway to the yacht club. Project was submitted for review on 9-26-00. 

• Dixon Springs State Park
  0005054 - This project involves the demolition of the existing site residence at the site. The building and foundation will be torn down and hauled off the site. Project was submitted for review on 7-10-00. 

• Mermet Lake Fish & Wildlife Area
  0005055 - This project will involve the use of a levee plow to create low levees across old swales that stay wet for most of the year. The area will encompass approximately six acres of old crop ground that has not been farmed in a few years. With the incorporation of a small stop log structure, a moist soil management wetland will be created. Project was submitted for review on 7-10-00.

• Saline County Conservation Area
  0003927 - This project involves the construction of 7 small shallow water wetlands in abandoned cropfields at the site. Small levees will be constructed across eroding waterways and drainage ditches. Average depth of water levels will average 18" deep. Project was submitted for review on 5-26-00.

• I & M Canal
  0002919, 0002918, 0002917, 0002916, 0002914, 0002913 - These projects involve phase I repairs and modifications to the Papermill Spillway Bridge along the tow path in Morris, the Spillway Bridge West of the Aux Sable Aqueduct, the Spillway Bridge East of the Aux Sable Aqueduct, the one lane bridge which provides access to Lock #6, the Kankakee Feeder Spillway Bridge west of McKinnley Woods, and the Pecumsaugan Creek Spillway Bridge east of LaSalle. Work items will include replacement of the existing guard rails along the bridges and installation of new guardrails along the approaches. Phase II work will take place in 2001 and include the sealing of all cracks and construction joints in the spillways, minor repairs to the substructures and the addition of drain extensions. Projects were submitted for review on 4-17-00.

• I & M Canal
  0002915 - This project involves minor maintenance at the spillway bridge along the tow path immediately north of Lock #6. Work items include excavating a small area under the bridge and filling it with a granular material base and capping it with concrete. Project was submitted for review on 4-17-00.

• I & M Canal
  0007992 - This project involves the crossing of the canal with three 34.5 kv overhead transmission lines to serve a new industrial plastics facility. Project was submitted for review on 10-25-00.
   

  Notice of Significant Action 

  Green River State Fish & Wildlife AreaPrairie /Wetland Restoration
  No comment letters were received by the Department during the 15 day appeal period concerning the referenced action. Based on our assessment of the positive effects this work will have on the habitat at the Green River SF&WA and the positive feedback that was received from the public on this project the Department has made the determination to proceed with the action as planned.
   

  Notice of Significant Action

  Eldon Hazlet State ParkSwimming Pool Facility
  No comment letters were received by the Department during the 15 day appeal period concerning the referenced action.Based on the identification of the need for this facility at the site and the extensive work done to study and identify alternatives that would avoid impacts to resources present at the site, the Department has made the determination to proceed with the project as planned.

  Questions and Comments
  All questions and comments about the environmental review process or this newsletter should be directed to:

  Illinois Department of Natural Resources
  Div. of Natural Resource Review & Coordination 
  524 S. Second Street,
  Springfield, IL 62701

  Phone: 217/785-5500

  ___________________________________________________________________________________________

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