THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER

FEBRUARY 1, 1998
VOL. 6, No. 7

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS COMPLETED

Project reviews completed from December 15 to January 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. These projects do not meet the criteria for significant actions as defined in the environmental review process and may proceed.

Fults Hill Prairie

36181 - This project provides for the installation of a 4' wide wooden trail stairway at the Fults Hill Prairie Nature Preserve. The stairway will begin near the existing parking area and extend up the steep slope to the east and will follow the existing trail alignment. The stairway will be approximately 100' in length. Project was submitted for review on 11- 26-96.

Rice Lake Fish and Wildlife Area

49769 - This project will replace one existing vault toilet unit with an ADA approved concrete block unit. In addition, 30' of 5' wide concrete side walks will be provided along with finishing and grading any disturbed areas. Project was submitted for review on 1-6-98.

Washington Co. Conservation Area

47384 - Siltation dams will be placed in the lower portion of three inlet ravines that have been determined to carry approximately 75% of the current silt load from upland runoff into the lake. The dams are being designed by the local NRCS and will be constructed under the guidance of our heavy equipment crew. Trees removed for construction purposes will be replaced in designated areas approved by the Dist. Forester. Project was submitted for review on 10-7-97.

Redwing Slough-Deer Lake

49275 - This project will consist of the modification of the existing outlet structure and rehabilitation of the levee that controls the water levels at Deer Lake. Project was submitted for review on 12-10-97.

Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park

48503 - This project will construct a hiking/bicycle trail within the park that will link together the parks picnic areas, main campground and the Rend Lake Resort. The new construction will be approximately 2.1 miles in length and will be located on the west side of the main park road. Two to four small borrow areas will be created in abandoned fields to obtain the borrow needed to raise short segments of the trail. The majority of the trail will be routed through old farm fields and open land. Approximately 0.25 to 0.50 acres of forested land will be impacted by the new trail. Project was submitted for review on 10-28-97.

Cache River State Natural Area

49222 - This project will consist of the construction of 4 new hunter parking lots at the site. The lots will be approximately 50' x 100' in size and graveled surfaced. All the lots will be located at sites where old structures have been removed and no tree removal will be necessary. Project was submitted for review on 12-7-97.

Horseshoe Lake (Madison Co.)

49277 - A 5 mile equestrian trail on the peninsula has been designed utilizing existing roads and field edges as much as possible in an effort to avoid archaeological sites, dove fields, and crop lands. The 8' trail will require the clearing of brush and small trees, the mowing of grass and the spreading of gravel in low muddy areas. Two parking lots will be graveled and a well and privy will be provided at the southern lot. Project was submitted for review on 12-10-97.

Pere Marquette State Park

45449 - This project provides for the replacement of two existing rent-a-tent structures with pre-fabricated one story log cabin units (18'L x 13'W) within the existing vehicular campground at the site. Development items include: concrete pads, electrical relocation, site grading, drainage improvements, concrete sidewalk, retaining walls and seeding and mulching of all disturbed areas. No tree removal is necessary. Project was submitted for review on 8-15-97.

Cache River State Natural Area

49223 - This project entails the construction of a new hiking trail from the Heron Pond area the East Bluff area. The trail will be approximately 1 ½ miles in length and follow the route of an old abandoned township road. Any tree removal will be primarily elm, maple, hackberry ash and muscle wood and limited to less than 4" dbh. Project was submitted for review on 12-7-97.

South Shore

This project provides for existing and new facility development within the 3-D Archery Range Area at the site. The work includes parking lot resurfacing, wood chip trail resurfacing, and trail head access which will require a small amount of fill material and a culvert to cross an existing ditch. A new single unit vault toilet building and concrete sidewalk will be located off the southeast corner of the existing parking lot. Project was submitted for review on 8-5-97.

South Shore State Park

25144 - This project provides for the mechanical removal of exotic plant material, specifically the Autumn olive tree species, from within the South Shore Wildlife habitat area. Stumps will be treated with approved herbicide applications to kill the root systems. Project was submitted for review on 2-9-96.

Illinois Caverns (Kaskaskia River)

47155 - This project involves the demolition of an abandoned farm house. Some excavation will be necessary to fill in the basement. Project was submitted for review on 10-15-97.

Silver Springs State Park

The Kendall County Outdoor Education Center is proposing to build a recycling center and a pioneer shelter for educational purposes at the site. The 12' x 24' center will have a concrete slab foundation and be near the main building on the site The 12' x 12' pioneer shelter will rest on cinder blocks and be near the visitor parking lot. Project was submitted for review on 12-10-97.

Kaskaskia River Fish and Wildlife Area

41952 - This project, located adjacent to Dry Lake and it's associated watershed, will provide for the construction of a small levee within the existing Doza Creek Waterfowl Management Area. The development of this small levee within this subimpoundment will provide additional water level control capability as well as provide additional waterfowl hunting opportunities. Project was submitted for review on 4-14-97.

Prairie Ridge

In a recently acquired track of ground, there exists three large manure pits and several outbuildings and concrete slabs. The manure pits will be emptied and spread onto the ground and the structures will be demolished and buried on the site. Project was submitted for review on 11-13-97.

Questions and Comments

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


Notification of Significant Action Lowden Miller State Forest

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources receives federal financial assistance and therefore must comply with federal anti-discrimination laws. In compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Illinois Constitution, Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, and the U.S. Constitution, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age or disability. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility please contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, Department of Natural Resources, One Natural Resource Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, (217) 782-7616, or the Office of Human Resources, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. 20240.

All public meetings conducted by the Department of Natural Resources will be accessible to handicapped individuals in compliance with Executive Order No. 5 and pertinent state and federal laws, upon notification of the anticipated attendance. Handicapped persons planning to attend and needing special accommodations should inform the Department of Natural Resources at least five days prior to the meeting by telephoning or writing the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, Department of Natural Resources, 1 Natural Resource Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, phone (217) 782-7616.

Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois. 362-2/98

Comprehensive Environmental Review Process

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