THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER

January 1, 2001
Vol. 10, No. 6

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.

  • Prairie Wind Trail
    0008422 - The Bourbon Township Highway commissioner has requested that a portion of Douglas County Road 410 be extended across the state trail for a distance of approximately 50' to connect with another county road. This work will be an at grade crossing of the trail. Project was submitted for review on 11-15-00.

  • Des Plaines Conservation Area
    0006455 - This project involves improvements to the existing equestrian trail at the site. Work items include the rip rapping of low areas, the completion of cross country jumps, and the installation of additional signage. Project was submitted for review on 8-11-00.

  • Clinton Lake
    0008420 - This project involves the periodic dredging of Trenkle Slough by Illinois Power per our agreement to provide drainage for the local farmers. Dredging will extend approximately 1000' onto Departmental property. Project was submitted for review on 11-14-00.

  • Weinberg King State Park
    0008425 - This project involves the complete rehabilitation of the pond at the site. Work items include complete dewatering, removal of silt and bottom sediments, deepening of the pond, repair of the dam to reduce seepage, and construction of a dewatering structure and simple spillway. Project was submitted for review on 11-15-00.

  • Hennepin Canal
    0007512 - The sites tree nursery is experiencing encroachment by locust trees. This project will remove the encroaching locust trees using a bulldozer. Project was submitted for review on 10-11-00.

  • Illini State Park
    0001985 - This project entails the reconstruction of the main campground road system together with the major parking areas. Work items include the addition of base material, application of a 2" Class I surface on all travel ways, pavement markings, the restoration of disturbed areas and final grading and seeding of the area. Project was submitted for review on 3-15-00.

  • Green River State Wildlife Area
    0008266 - This project involves the relocation of the house on the site from its present location to an area adjacent to the existing check station at the entrance. Additional work will include the construction of a concrete crawl space, utility hook up, and accessible walk from the parking area. Project was submitted for review on 11-8-00.

  • Matthiessen State Park
    0007986 - This project will correct a 100' eroded section of the Bluff Rail adjacent to Strawberry Rock and Devil's Paintbox. It is proposed to rebuild the existing retaining wall that failed, add surface drainage, and resurface the trail. Project was submitted for review on 10-19-00.

  • I & M Canal
    9905570 - This project involves the installation of a 4" fiber optic cable approximately 190' across the Canal and reserves. The method of installation will be by directional boring with the conduit being placed at a minimum of 5' below the bottom of the canal. Project was submitted for review on 11-12-00.

  • Southern Ill. Arts and Crafts Center
    0007989 - This project involves the construction of a new 2000 sq. ft. maintenance building at a location approximately 100' south of the existing main building. In addition, the Phillip Dees sculpture that is adjacent to the pavilion will be relocated to a more suitable site west of the main entrance drive. Project was submitted for review on 10-31-00.

  • Jim Edgar/ Panther Creek SF&WA
    0000778 - This project involves the construction of a hiking and mountain bike trail around the Big Lake. Additional work item will include check dams, culverts and small bridges, retaining walls, and benches. Project was submitted for review on 2-11-00.

  • Dickson Mounds Museum
    0005079 - The historic Canton to Liverpool toll booth located at Dickson Mounds will be relocated to an area immediately adjacent to the museum for better use. Extensive renovation work will also take place to exterior and interior areas of the booth. Project was submitted for review on 6-23-00.

  • Clinton Lake
    0008280 - This work involves the eradication of two rows of autumn olive plants from the site. The plants will be bulldozed which will be followed by mowing and chemical treatment of any sprouts. Project was submitted for review on 11-2-00.

  • Big River State Forest
    0008261 - This project will involve the installation of a standard trailer dump station at the equestrian campgrounds at the site. In addition to the station, treatment field and holding tank, the project will include water service and paved approaches. Project was submitted for review on 11-8-00.

  • Jubilee College
    0008263 - This project is identical to the project referenced above at Big River State Forest with the addition of security lighting. Project was submitted for review on 11-8-00.

  • Prairie Wind State Trail
    0008497 - This work involves the IDNR providing work easements over and on the trail as the IDOT will remove and replace the existing concrete deck beams on the I-57 overpasses at the trail. Project was submitted for review on 12-19-00

  • Beaver Dam State Park
    0004315 - This project involves the construction of one centralized collection and treatment system to replace the five small wastewater treatment systems throughout the park. The proposed 13,000 gpd aerated lagoon sewage treatment system will collect and treat wastes from all current and proposed wastewater sources within the park. Project was submitted for review on 9-29-00.

  • Sanganois
    0008947 - This project entails the upgrading of vehicular access for hunters to the Baker Tract at the site. Improvements will include the graveling of the existing dirt road, construction of a five car parking lot at the end of the road, and the establishment of several small pull offs along the road. Project was submitted for review on 12-7-00.

  • Walnut Point State Park
    61773 - This project will upgrade the existing facilities within the park to be accessible for use by people with disabilities. The work will include surfaced walks to toilets, picnic shelters, water hydrants and other amenities. Lakeside Nature Trail will be improved, seven accessible vault toilets provided, bank fishing access added, and four campsites upgraded. Project was submitted for review on 12-28-00.

  • Beaver Dam State Park
    0008419 - This project will provide for the dredging of the lake in front of the concession building. A cat hoe will dredge the accumulated silt out to depth of 10' and the material will be stock piled for erosion control projects. Project was submitted for review on 11-15-00.

  • The Nature Institute
    0007593 - This project involves the construction of a small bridge across a small stream to reduce stream bank erosion. Also water bars will be installed on the trails to reduce erosion and silt run off. Project was submitted for review on 10-12-00.

  • Dixon Springs State Park
    0005153 - This project will provide for the installation of new electric service to the cabin area at the site. The existing electric poles will be eliminated and the new service will be run underground for 750' from the township road. Project was submitted for review on 7-17-00.

  • Moraine View State Park
    0008421 - This project involves the dredging of the North Fork of Salt Creek beginning at County Highway 36 and extending in a southeasterly direction for 1300'. The stream is very silted in and is causing drainage problems for the farmer immediately north of the park. Project was submitted for review on 11-14-00.

  • Piney Creed Ravine Nature Preserve
    9902964 - Due to severe erosion problems a new trail will be established at the site by mowing a 10' strip through a grassy area south of the existing trail. The width will be reduced to 3' when it enters the wooded area. Project was submitted for review on 10-20-99.

  • Prophetstown State Park
    0006467 - This project will use size R-5 rip rap to stabilize 1500 lf of severely eroding stream bank within use areas within the park. The 1500' will include three separate sections of the stream. Project was submitted for review on 9-25-00.

  • Hennepin Canal
    0009903576 - The phone company needs to replace an existing buried fiber optic line. The work will be done by directional boring under the canal. Project was submitted for review on 11-8-99.

  • I&M Canal
    0009282 - This project involves the replacement of the existing crushed limestone of the trail with approximately 2 miles of oil and chip surface. The new surface is needed due to the vehicular traffic along this segment of trail. Project was submitted for review on 10-5-00.

  • Rauchfuss Hill
    0008643 - This project will remove approximately 3-4 trees at the existing scenic vista at the campground to provide for an enhanced view of the town, marina, and Ohio River. Project was submitted for review on 11-27-00.

  • Stephen A. Forbes Biological Station
    0005669 - Rehabilitation work at the site will include replacement of the existing sump pump system, installation of energy efficient windows, insulation of the exterior walls, upgrading of the entire plumbing system, locating an 80' well, upgrading of the electrical system, addition of gutters and down spouts, replace the existing 150' suspension bridge, upgrade entrance road, drainage improvements, security lighting and seeding and landscaping. Project was submitted for review on 7-31-00.

  • Mississippi Palisades
    0008285 - A committee along with our Conservation Foundation is proposing a memorial for John Husar. The site chosen is Lookout Point at the site. The proposal is the renovation and enhancement of the overlook, walk, and displays/maps. Project was submitted for review on 11-6-00.

  • Kankakee River State Park
    9900552 - This project involves the rehabilitation of portions of the equestrian / snowmobile trail that become exceedingly wet, making for poor trail conditions. Work will involve the regrading and shaping of certain segments to improve drainage. Installation of culverts, low water crossings, rising and hardening of the trail tread will be done on the existing alignment and within the trail corridor. Project was submitted for review on 8-4-99.

  • Mackinaw State Fish & Wildlife Area
    0009288 - Two areas at the site, totaling 25.6 acres will be taken out of agricultural production and planted with trees to return the area to a more native and diverse woodland plant community to benefit wildlife, increase diversity, and for soil protection. Project was submitted for review on 12-18-00.

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 Resource Review & Coordination
    524 S. Second Street
    Springfield, 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

 

 

IDNR Homepage   Illinois State Homepage   Link to the Governor's Homepage