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. These projects do not meet the criteria for significant actions as defined in the environmental review process and may proceed.

48922 - Under this project, CILCO will install a 4" plastic intermediate pressure gas main through the Prairie Wind ROW. The area to be disturbed will be approximately 10' wide by 90' long and be buried to a minimum depth of 3'. After the work has been completed, the area that has been disturbed will be returned to its original contours and seeded. Project was submitted for review on 1-26 -97.

Gol FA 1 - The marina has insufficient parking to accommodate the typical number of boaters and tournament fishermen using the facility during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. A 1.5 acre area exists at the park that can be made available for parking expansion. The area is presently in cool season grasses and was previously approved as a spoil area during construction of the marina. The project will construct parking for approximately 32 car/trailer combinations, 6-12 cars and 20-25 trailers only. No tree removal is expected as part of the work. Project was submitted for review on 10-28-97.

49221 - This project consists of Illinois Power crews clearing a 15' ROW across Departmental property within the Starved Rock Nature Preserve. Stumps greater than 2" dbh will be treated with a herbicide. The 15' work corridor will be marked (flagged or fenced) and the work will be supervised by department personnel to insure that the work does not encroach upon the nature preserve. Project was submitted for review on 12-8-97.

Trail FA 6 - A chain saw training class for Department personnel is planned for Trail of Tears S. F. The course will provide Department staff from the Divisions of Natural Heritage, Forest Resources, and Land Management with proper techniques for chain saw use in vegetation management on public and private lands. The field portion of the courses will involve the felling of two trees per student. No more than 40 trees will be felled during the course ranging in size form 8" to 36" dbh. Removal of these trees will also meet objectives of habitat and recreation improvement at the forest. The species selected for the training are a mix of upland hardwoods and pines. The areas selected for the training will total less than 10 acres in size and are adjacent to existing picnic areas, fire trails, and the old lookout tower at Trail of Tears. The stumps will be left in the ground after felling. Project was submitted for review on 11-14-97.

48775 - This project is exactly like the project listed above at the Trail of Tears State Forest except that the trees utilized in the training have been marked for felling as part of the sites permit firewood sale and therefore will not result in an increase in the annual number of trees cut for the site. Project was submitted for review on 11-18-97.

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
One Natural Resource Way
Springfield, IL 62702-1271
Phone: 217/785-5500

Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois. 362-6/97

IDNR Homepage | |