ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS COMPLETED Project reviews completed from July 15 to August 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. Jim Edgar/Panther Creek 0005076- This project provides for the replacement of two existing bridge structures located on County Highway 11. Development items include the demolition and removal of the two existing concrete bridges and the construction of two new bridges in approximately the same place. The new bridges will be wider to accommodate the recent road improvements and bicycle lanes. Project was submitted for review on 6-23-00.   Illinois Prairie Path 0004458 -This project involves the installation of buried fiber optic cable service along the side of the Illinois Prairie Path Bike Trail. Installation will be within the existing R.O. W. and adjacent to the trail. Direct burial and boring methods will be used in the procedure. Project was submitted for review on 6-14-00.   Kaskaskia River SFWA 0004463 -This project involves the establishment of a wetland area by constructing 5 levees, each 150 yards long and 5' high with one 24" culvert and gate. The area will be approximately 25 acres in size and adjoin Richland Creek. When the Kaskaskia River floods, this area will serve as a hunting area during waterfowl season. Project was submitted for review on 5-15-00.   Kaskaskia River SFWA 0004464 -This project also involves the construction of a wetland at the site. Elements include the construction of a 70 yard long levee that will be 5' high. One large stop log structure will be needed for water level control of the 15 acre area. An approximately 300 yard long dirt road will be constructed to build the stop log structure and will be used to maintain the levee. Project was submitted for review on 6-19-00.   Rend Lake Wildlife Management Area 0005293 -This project will repair and resurface existing roads and parking lots at the site. The improvement will be located at the North and South Nason Boat Access Area and the Waltonville Boat Access Area. Other improvements may include the repair or replacement of any drainage culverts and the installation of new regulatory signs. Project was submitted for review on 7-23-00.   Prairie Ridge State Natural Area 0002897 -This project provides for the construction of a new 40' x 84' service building west of the site office. An existing 30' x 30' wood framed barn will be demolished to allow construction of the new building. Also, a new 12' x 20' fuel storage building and a 12' x 16' hazardous materials building will be constructed next to the service building. Gravel drives and underground electric service will connect the areas to the local road system. Project was submitted for review on 4-3-00.   I & M Canal 0003341- Williams Communications will install a 4" steel conduit containing a 1" communications cable underneath the canal corridor. The method of installation will be by directional bore. Project was submitted for review on 5-1-00.   I & M Canal 0003340- This project involves the City of Channahon installing a 16" water main and a 12" force main across the Du Page River and the canal. The method of construction will be open cut. Project was submitted for review on 5-1-00.   Jim Edgar/ Panther Creek 0000774 -This project entails the construction of a standard playground set at the Big Lake day use area near the picnic shelter. Project was submitted for review on 2-11-00.   Jim Edgar/ Panther Creek 0000775 -This project entails the construction of an IDNR standard pit toilet at the Governor's Trail equestrian day use parking lot on Creek Road at the Cox Creek confluence with Panther Creek. Project was submitted for review on 2-11-00.   Sam Parr Biological Station 0002889 -This project will involve the relocation of a 26' x 40' modular residence from Dickson Mounds to the Sam Parr Biological Station at Stephen A Forbes State Park. Other improvements will include a new parking lot, burial of existing overhead electrical lines, a new sewage system, side walks, and wood decks. Project was submitted for review on 4-10-00.   Kaskaskia River SF & W A 0004161 -This project involves the construction of a levee approximately 120 yards long and 5' high and the installation of two 24" control valves. The 15 acre site is presently 18" deep and has numerous stumps. The site will serve as a fish nursery area in the spring and as a migratory wading bird sanctuary in the fall. Project was submitted for review on 6-8-00.   Kaskaskia River SF & W A 0004162 -This project involves the placement of a control valve in Ratz Slough where the slough meets the river to give the staff more capability in controlling water level and plant growth. The area involved will include approximately 25 acres. Project was submitted for review on 6-8-00.   Kaskaskia River SF& W A 0004164- This project involves the enhancement of the area known as Big Pond. This area has traditionally attracted many migratory and indigenous wetland species. In dry years this area is not available for this purpose. A study will be undertaken in Phase one of this project to determine the best method to enhance the area and phase two will be to implement the study using control structures, short levees, a well or what ever might be needed. Project was submitted for review on 6-8-00.   Kaskaskia River SF&WA 0004153 -This project involves the construction of a levee approximately 70 yards long and 5' high. One large stop log structure will be needed for water level control of the 25 acre area. The structure will serve to maintain varying water depths so that the area may be used by boaters as well as serve as a waterfowl hunting area and fish nursery .Project was submitted for review on 6-5-00.   Silver Springs 0003295 -This is a wetland compensation project that is being designed and implemented for the unavoidable impact of a 0.10 acre of wetlands due to a parking lot expansion at the site. The compensation project will excavate and plant an area adjacent to the existing wildlife watering pond in a manner that will create an additional 0.25 acre of emergent wetland. Project was submitted for review on 4-20-00.   Lake Sangchris State Park 0004459 -This project entails the expansion of the existing 3.8 acre crappie nursery pond to approximately 8 acres. The additional 4 acres will come out of crop rotation and the borrow will come from within the pond area. Project was submitted for review on 6-15-00.   Lake Renwick 0004455 -This project entails the completion of a feasibility study and preparation of construction plans for the removal of the land bridge connecting the existing nesting islands with the main shore, shoreline protection from erosion and the creation of nesting structures to compensate for lost natural nesting sites. Project was submitted for review on 6-15-00.     Notice of Significant Action Eldon Hazlet State Park Eldon Hazlet S.P. - Proposed Swimming Pool Map Project Description With an annual attendance of over 700,000 visitors per year, there has been a demonstrated public demand to provide swimming facilities at the site. It was determined that the development of new swimming pool facilities in close association with the existing Illini Campgrounds and concession building would best meet this need (see map #1). The pool would be sized to accommodate 300 bathers with a fenced children's pool that would feature a spray fountain and possibly a childrens play area. Other amenities would include a dressing room/shower facility , bike racks, vending machine area, entrance road and parking, utilities, telephone, security lighting, and landscaping. The site selected for the development of the pool was made because of its close association with the previously developed campgrounds and concession building. This follows the principle of concentrating new facilities in previously developed areas at the site to avoid encroachments into areas that could possibly serve as habitat for wildlife resources and, in particular, the state-Iisted endangered Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake. Archaeological/Cultural Resources A Phase I archaeological survey was completed on the area that would be used for the swimming facility and it was determined that no significant archaeological or cultural resources were present in the project area. Wetland Resources The area was examined for wetland resources and none were found to exist in the area.   Threatened or Endangered Species Because the area is currently a mowed and managed open grass area lying between the campground to the east and the concession building to the west it was concluded that it did not provide habitat for any state or federally listed species. The pool location originally considered was north of the concession building. This positioning would have had the facility partially extending into an unmowed area. Although the massasauga has not been reported from this area, it was deemed that the area not under current management could possibly provide foraging or hibernating habitat for the snake. As a result, the pool and its supporting facilities were moved closer to the campground, making the development more compact.   Alternatives Analysis The original alternative examined to provide swimming facilities at this site was the construction of a beach along the shoreline of Lake Carlyle. As the study progressed it became apparent that there were many problems associated with a beach. The most significant of these were (I) alteration of the shoreline and its impact on possible massasauga hibernating habitat, (2) wetland impacts at the water/shoreline interface, (3) a site location that was distant from other existing developments in the area, thus fragmenting and not concentrating development at the site, (4) the construction of a new access road to the beach, further dividing habitat, and (3) fluctuating water levels that, at high water, could inundate the beach and, at low water, would not serve the beach. Thus, the construction of a swimming pool became the preferred alternative, and planning progressed to incorporate the facility north of the existing concession building. This site was contiguous with the concession area and the campground and had no wetland or archaeological/cultural problems associated with it. When surveyed by IDNR Heritage and Survey biologists, however, it was pointed out that this development would encroach upon an un-managed area that could possibly serve as massasauga habitat. To further minimize impacts to the massasauga a third alternative, (the proposal presented above) was designed to resolve issues in all the areas of concern.   Notice of Significant Action Green River State Fish & Wildlife Area Green River State Wildlife Tree Removal Map Project description During the past 50 years, the 2554 acre Green River Wildlife Area has experienced woody encroachment of mesophytic, successional, and exotic species. This has resulted in the degradation of large areas of prairies and wetlands to the detriment of many species dependent on these habitats. It is proposed to remove approximately 325 acres of undesirable native and exotic woody species from various tracts within the project area (see map #2). This project will allow for the continued restoration of degraded or high-quality grassland and wetlands at the site. This large scale restoration should dramatically improve wildlife habitat for common, uncommon, and rare animals, and species that depend on large un-fragmented grassland and wetland habitat. This includes all of the state listed bird species known from the site, which include the Pied-Billed Grebe, Least Bittern, American Bittern, King Rail, Sandhill Crane, Common Moorhen, Upland Sandpiper, Northern Harrier, Cooper's Hawk, Short-Eared Owl, Long-Eared Owl, and Yellow-Headed Blackbird. Within the 490 acre project area, mesophytic, successional, and exotic species will be removed from designated areas using mechanical tree and brush removal equipment. The contractor will be responsible for cutting and chipping all designated woody material. The use of a whole tree chipping machine, a hydraulic tree shear, and trucks for hauling chips will be restricted to interior access roads and project areas. No heavy equipment will be allowed within high-quality prairies or wetlands. The contractor will conduct the operation during dry or frozen conditions (December through early March or from August through late September or early October) specified by the Natural Heritage biologist who will be on site to supervise the operation and who will suspend work if the proper conditions do not exist. Archaeological/Cultural Resources No archaeological or cultural resources will be impacted by the woody vegetation removal. Wetland Resources As this project is essentially a prairie/wetland rehabilitation effort, it is anticipated that wetland resources will significantly benefit from this work. The majority of the areas for this project contain some wetland soils and communities. No soil disturbance is expected. Restorations will include marsh, sedge meadow, and wet, wet-mesic, mesic, and dry-mesic prairie/wetland communities. Threatened & Endangered Species Threatened and endangered species are present at the Green River Fish & Wildlife Area, but are not present within the project areas. Long-term positive affects are expected for the threatened and endangered birds present at the site. The Department is inviting comments and any questions from the public on these proposals. Comments or questions may be sent to:   Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Realty and Environmental Planning 1 Natural Resources Way Springfield, Illinois 62702-1271 Phone: 217-785-5500   All comments must be received by the close of business on Monday, October 18,2000. Questions and Comments All questions and comments about the environmental review process or this newsletter should be directed to: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Natural Resource Review & Coordination 1 Natural Resource Way Springfield, IL 62702-1271 Phone: 217-785-5500   -- The IllIinois Department of Natural Resources receives federal financial assistance and therefore must comply with federal anti-discrimination laws. In compliance with the llIinois 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 llIinois 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, 1 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, 1 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 TrY: 217/782-9175. The Ameritech Relay Number is 800/526-0844. Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois. 362-6/97

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