THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER

Project reviews completed from April 15 to May 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.

53351 - The goal of this project is to provide high quality mid-migration habitat by establishing moist soil food areas within the refuge. Water levels will be controlled at the site with the incorporation of water control structures and berms. Silted in drainage ditches will also be cleaned to provide adequate water. Project was submitted for review on 4-21-98.

53347 - This project will raise the elevation of the road surface that serves as a hunter access route at the site by 1.5 feet. The road will also be widened from 10 to 15 feet. The material used will come from along the existing road. Project was submitted for review on 4-21-98.

53352 - Many culvert outlets and road side ditches are experiencing erosion problems at the site. This project will use a filter fabric and rock to protect approximately 15 areas of concern. Project was submitted for review on 4-21-98.

52278 - With this project, new floating docks will be installed at the boat harbor at Mascoutin. The docks will be secured to the shoreline with concrete footings in areas previously disturbed by construction of the boat ramp and parking. No trees or shrubs will be removed with the activity. Project was submitted for review on 3-26-98.

. 51268 - This project involves the construction of a service driveway, approximately 10' to12' wide, between the southeast corner of the concession area parking lot and the bike trail to the south. The alignment lies in a mowed day use area at the site. Project was submitted for review on 2-20-98.

53348 - This project involves the construction of a 14' x 20' picnic shelter within the day use area at the site. Project was submitted for review on 4-21-98.

52817 - This project entails placing an earthen dam in Lake Creek immediately west of Ill. Rt. 3. A stop-log structure will be use to control water levels over 290 acres of low lying fields for the management of moist soil plants and row crops. The entire area is currently open to walk in or boat in duck and goose hunting. Project was submitted for review on 4-6-98.

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, 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 Telecommunications Device for the Deaf: 217/782-9175. The Ameritech Relay Number is 800/526-0844. Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois. 362-6/97

53156 - This project will develop a 4' wide new hiking trail on the east facing slope of Rauchfuss Hill. The trail will be approximately 1200' in length and will connect with the existing trail on top of the hill. The trail will be limited to hiking only. Project was submitted for review on 4-13-98.

53151 - This project involves the complete dewatering of the pond at the site so that the pond can be deepened around the shoreline and repairs made to the dam to reduce seepage. A trail on the east facing slope of Rauchfuss Hill. The trail will be approximately 1200' in length and will connect with the existing trail on top of the hill. The trail will be limited to hiking only. Project was submitted for review on 4-13-98.

52815 - This wetland development project will entail the building of a small levee in a low area on the Junker Tract. Flooding will be accomplished via rainfall and runoff with the water being controlled by a stop log structure. This area was recently planted to hardwoods and the flooding will be limited to the dormant season. Project was submitted for review on 4-10-98.

52816 - Natural Gas Pipeline Co. is proposing to retire one of their 16" pipelines at the Fox River crossing by cutting, filling it with concrete slurry, and capping. Work will only done on the operational pipeline at the existing valve locations on either side of the river. The areas needed for work at the valve locations will measure 60' x 70'. Project was submitted for review on 3-30-98.

52814 - This project proposes to transform a tiled agricultural field, approximately 25 acres in size, into a seasonal wetland. A low profile levee will be constructed in order to maintain water depth from October to February for the benefit of waterfowl and shore birds. The field will be returned to cropland during the spring and summer months. Project was submitted for review on 4-10-98.

50459 - This project involves the installation of a new rail spur across the Canal near Marseilles by Independence Tube. The new spur will be approximately 385 'west of the existing spur and will parallel it. Project was submitted for review on 2-2-98.

52036 - This project involves the construction of four trails that will all be accessible from the visitor center parking area. All trails will be constructed without tree removal and will have a crushed stone surface. Project was submitted for review on 3-6-98.

48144 - This project consists of clearing trees from the top of the drainage ditch berm so that access can be maintained along the ditch for maintenance of the ditch and effective water management activities. Project was submitted for review on 10-22-97.

53371 - This is a cooperative project with the U.S. Corps of Engineers to rehabilitate the levee and improve various habitats within the site. Borrow will be taken from areas within the site that would either create new wetland habitat or expand existing wetlands. The borrow will be used to rehabilitate the levee that has deteriorated over the last few years from high water. One area within the site will be planted to prairie for upland wildlife. Project was submitted for review on 4-23-98.

52634 - This project will improve the existing parking lot south of the visitors center by adding fill at the southeast corner to make the lot more level and by adding a bituminous surface at a later date. Erosion control measures will be put in place until any bare soil is revegetated. Surface runoff from the lot will be collected in a catch basin and piped underground to an existing man-made pond. Project was submitted for review on 3-17-98.

52284 - Two additional project sites were recently identified for inclusion in Unit 10 erosion control efforts. Each project involves the installation of a dry dam with a 6 inch pipe structure. Project was submitted for review on 3-26-98.

52277 - The existing field drainage tile in one of the farm fields that is managed for the dove hunting program at the site has collapsed in several locations. This project will replace or repair the broken, non functioning tile lines to restore the drainage. Project was submitted for review on 3-26-98.

One comment was received during the 15 day appeal period and will be incorporated into the projects over all design and implementation. The restriction on the dates for not harvesting the trees to avoid impacts to nesting birds has been changed to April 1st through August 31st.

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