ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS COMPLETED

Project reviews completed from November 15 to December 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.

• Beaver Dam State Park9902925 -This project involves the construction of a 1150 ft. levee approximately 4 ft. in height with a beaver proof water control structure. The levee will be located within a retired 5 acre crop field and the area will now be used to manage moist soil herbaceous vegetation for a variety of wildlife. Project was submitted for review on 10-25-99.

• Mermet Lake
  58857 -This project will stabilize and repair the lake levee at the site. The proposed design will use compacted embankment on the outside slope of the existing levee. Other elements of the project include new well installation and the widening of the east side drive to 22 ft. with 2 ft. shoulders. Project was submitted for review on 9-29-98.

• Moraine Hills State Park
  9903354 -This project involves the herbiciding and discing of a 10 acre field that was previously used for agriculture to prepare it for winter donnant seeding with native wann season grasses and forbes. Wetland spoils will be incorporated into the mineral soil to prepare a suitable seed bed and reduce the hazards of a peat fire during prescribed bums. Project was submitted for reviewon 11-1-99.

• Pere Marquette State Park
  9903357 -People climbing on Cistern Mound at this site have been desecrating the mound and exposing cultural artifacts. In order to provide some access control and stop erosion, a 3' to 4' high retaining wall will be constructed between the trail and the mounds at the intersection of Hickory Trail North and Hickory Trail. Project was submitted for review on 11-1-99.

• Trail of Tears State Forest
  9903355 -A request from a land owner of farm and forest land west of the State Forest boundary has been granted for him to access DNR property for the removal of logs cut on his property .An abandoned logging road will be used for this purpose. All lane surfaces will be restored and erosive areas will be protected with water bars and seeded after use. Project was submitted for review on 11-1-99.

• Eagle Creek State Park
  9900726 -This project involve's the development of a new single lane boat ramp for jet skis and small boats. The ramp will be located at the site of the old high water boat ramp and will involve only minor leveling and grading. Project was submitted for review on 8-2- 99.

• Carlyle Lake Wildlife Management Area
  62972- Approximately 241ocations within the wildlife management area ranging in size from 0.1 acres to 8.0 acres will be cleared of woody vegetation and maintained for moist soil management. The areas consist of levee embankments and old crop fields. Project was submitted on 2-22-99.

• Green River Wildlife Management Area
  9902924- This project consists of the demolition of an existing wood barn/corn crib adjacent to the service area. Once the building is removed, the site will be finished graded and seeded. Project was submitted for review on 10-21-99.

• Stephen A. Forbes State Park
  9903572 -This project is the expansion of a wetland development project that was approved in June of 1996. At that time a dam and a one acre wetland was developed. The current activity will expand the wetland area to two acres. Project was submitted for review on 11-10-99.

• Frank Holten State Park
  9902921 -This project includes the placement of 300 cubic yards of rip rap along the shoreline of Whispering Willow Lake. The total length of shoreline that needs protection is approximately 280 yards. Project was submitted for review on 0-28-99.

• Pere Marquette State Park
  9902926 -The Jersey County Rural Water Company has requested permission to install an 8" water line on DNR property. The alignment will be along existing ROW and require a 20" open cut trench, 5' deep, on an easement approximately 0 -25' wide. Project was submitted for review on 10-25-99.

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
StreetSpringfield, IL 62701

Phone: 217/785-5500

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, religion, 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 persons with disabilities in compliance with Executive Order No. 5 and pertinent state and federal laws, upon notification of the anticipated attendance. Persons with disabilities 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, One Natural Resource Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, phone (217) 782-7616.

Department of Natural Resources information is available to the hearing impaired by calling DNR's TTY: 217/782-9175. The Ameritech Relay Number is 800/526-0844. Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois. 362-6/97