ILLINOIS NATURE PRESERVES COMMISSION AGENDA
ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTIETH MEETING
Byron Colby Barn at Prairie Crossing
1561 Jones Point Road
Grayslake, Illinois 60030
August 4, 1998 10:00 A.M.
*Documentary Material Enclosed
Item 1: Call to Order, Roll Call, and Introduction of Attendees
Item 2:* Adoption of Agenda
Item 3:* Approval of Minutes of 159th Meeting, May 5, 1998
Item 4: Next Meeting Schedule
Item 5: Recognition of INPC's 35th Anniversary
Governor Jim Edgar (invited)
Item 6: INPC Staff Report
REPORT
Carolyn Grosboll, Don McFall and Randy Heidorn
Nature Preserves Commission
Item 7: IDNR Staff Report
REPORT
Carl Becker
IDNR, Division of Natural Heritage
Item 8: Election of Officers - INPC Nominating Committee Report
REPORT
Chair, Nominating Committee
Nature Preserves Commission
Item 9: Election of Consultants
REPORT
Carolyn T. Grosboll
Nature Preserves Commission
Nominated Consultants:
Gerald Adelmann
Dr. Alfred Koelling
Dr. Robert Betz
Al Pyott
Bruce Boyd
Dr. Kenneth Robertson
Marilyn Campbell
Valerie Spale
Kenneth V. Fiske
Ed Stirling
Item 10:* LaSalle Co. - Sandy Ford Land and Water Reserve, Registration
Sandy Ford is a 200-acre site located in LaSalle County northwest of Streator.
Two major ravine systems, created by two streams that flow into the Vermilion
River, dissect the area and create considerable local relief as great as 90 to
100 feet. The site has a rich flora that contains Canada yew (Taxus canadensis),
white pine (Pinus strobus), and the state-threatened white cedar (Thuja
occidentalis). The Vermilion River, which is along the proposed reserve's
west boundary, is habitat for the state-endangered greater redhorse (Moxostoma
valenciennesi) and the state-threatened river redhorse (M. carinatum).
Approximately 170 acres of the site is forested, including mesic, dry-mesic, and
floodplain communities. Hill prairies are present on the sandstone cliffs. The
site is used for hiking, outdoor education, and nature study. This site is owned
and managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
REPORT
ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED
Brian Reilly
Registration Approval
Nature Preserves Commission
Item 11:* Union & Johnson Co. -- Cedar-Draper's Bluff Land and Water Reserve,
Registration
Cedar-Draper's Bluff consists of 741.1 acres in Union and Johnson counties near
Goreville. There are two tracts, Draper's Bluff which lies along the Union-Johnson
County line in Union County, and Cedar Bluff about ½ mile east of Draper's Bluff
in Johnson County. Both Cedar Bluff and Draper's Bluff are part of a massive sandstone
cliff system that runs across southern Illinois from the Mississippi River to
the Ohio River. Cedar Bluff (INAI #359) and Draper's Bluff (INAI #967) were recognized
by the INAI for their sandstone cliffs over 100 feet high containing exceptional
cliff communities and pockets of old growth mesic and dry-mesic forest communities
are present on these sites. These sites are owned and managed by the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources. Both areas are used for hiking, bird watching,
hunting, rock climbing, and general nature study.
REPORT ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED
Bob Lindsay Registration
Approval
IDNR, Division of Natural Heritage
Item 12:* Cook Co. -- Addition to Gensburg-Markham Prairie Nature Preserve, Dedication
The Natural Land Institute proposes to dedicate eight additional lots (approximately
0.67 acres) to Gensburg-Markham Prairie Nature Preserve. The proposed additions
are located within the designated boundaries of the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory
(INAI #400) for Gensburg-Markham Prairie as well as the boundaries established
for the Gensburg-Markham Prairie National Natural Landmark. A preservation strategy
for this site was first articulated in a Master Plan approved by the INPC at its
95th Meeting in August, 1983 (Resolution #75), which called for protection
of the prairie extending north and south of Gensburg-Markham Prairie Nature Preserve.
Gensburg-Markham Prairie Nature Preserve is part of an archipelago of four prairies
that are collectively referred to as the Indian Boundary Prairies, and the last
surviving remnants of the vast prairie that once extended for miles along Lake
Michigan and the Lake Plain Section of old Lake Chicago (Schwegman et al. 1973).
The INPC staff recommends that the 0.67 acres identified in the proposal for dedication
be granted preliminary approval for dedication as an addition to Gensburg-Markham
Prairie Nature Preserve.
REPORT ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED
Steven Byers Preliminary
Approval for Dedication
Nature Preserves Commission
Item 13:* LaSalle Co. -- Lower Fox River-Wedron Palisades Nature Preserve, Dedication
The Wedron Silica Company proposes to dedicate a one-mile long sandstone cliff
on the east bank of the Fox River as the Lower Fox River - Wedron Palisades Nature
Preserve. This rock wall is one of 14 natural areas along the lower Fox River.
The palisades were identified on the INAI (#676) due to the occurrence on the
edge of the cliff of the state-threatened northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis).
The lower Fox River is a high-quality natural area because of the abundance of
plants, animals and geologic features surrounding the River. The River was identified
on the INAI (#1444) as an "outstanding example of the rivers and creeks of the
Illinois River watershed." The lower Fox River provides habitat for the state-endangered
greater redhorse (Moxostoma valenciennesi), and the state-threatened
river redhorse (M. carinatum).
REPORT ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED
Brian Reilly Preliminary
Approval for Dedication
Nature Preserves Commission
Item 14:* McHenry Co. -- Wilson Tract Addition to Pistakee Bog Nature Preserve,
Dedication
The 31.47-acre parcel proposed for dedication as buffer to Pistakee Bog Nature
Preserve was purchased by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in January,
1998 with funding from the Illinois Natural Areas Acquisition Fund and CorLands.
Pistakee Bog received final approval for dedication at the Commission's 55th Meeting
in April, 1975 (Resolution #378). The proposed addition serves as an important
recharge zone for Pistakee Bog Nature Preserve. Remnant marsh, sedge meadow, and
mesic prairie communities on the Wilson tract are hydrologically connected to
the Pistakee basin via a wide band of hydric soils. Pistakee Bog was recognized
by the INAI (#983) and the Nature Preserve contains high-quality forested bog,
marsh, pond, sedge meadow, and calcareous floating mat communities. Both Pistakee
Bog Nature Preserve and nearby Volo Bog Nature Preserve are located in the Volo
Bog State Natural Area. Both the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission staff recommend preliminary approval of this
31.47 acre parcel as buffer to Pistakee Bog Nature Preserve.
REPORT ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED
Amy Horstman Preliminary
Approval for Dedication
IDNR, Division of Natural Heritage
Item 15:* Whiteside Co. - Harmony Hills Nature Preserve, Dedication
The proposed Harmony Hills Nature Preserve, owned by Ruby N. Wirth, is a 46.19-acre
tract of dry sand prairie, sand blowouts and sand forest located in Whiteside
County. The site is characteristic of the Mississippi River Section of the Illinois
River and Mississippi River Sand Areas Natural Division. It harbors an Illinois
endangered plant, the false heather (Hudsonia tomentosa), and an Illinois
threatened plant, the umbrella sedge (Cyperus grayioides). This site
also includes approximately three-fourths of the 61-acre Prairie Trails INAI site
(#1104). It is the owner's desire and intent to dedicate this site as an Illinois
nature preserve.
REPORT ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED
John Alesandrini
Preliminary Approval for Dedication
Nature Preserves Commission
Item 16:* Cook Co. - Addition to Gensburg-Markham Prairie Nature Preserve, Dedication
The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission conferred preliminary approval for the
dedication of 10.56 acres as an addition to Gensburg-Markham Prairie Nature Preserve
at the Commission's 138th Reconvened Meeting in March, 1993 (Resolution
#1161). That proposal included parcels owned by the Natural Land Institute (NLI),
The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU). Subsequently,
the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission conferred final approval at its 139th
Meeting for parcels owned by the NLI located outside of a Tax Increment Financing
District (Resolution #1180). The Commission also conferred final approval for
parcels owned by TNC (Resolution #1182), and NEIU (Resolution #1179). Now, the
NLI seeks final approval for dedication of eight lots totaling 0.67 acres located
within the Tax Increment Financing District as an addition to Gensburg-Markham
Prairie Nature Preserve. The proposed additions are located within the designated
boundaries of the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory (INAI #400) for Gensburg-Markham
Prairie. A high-quality native mesic and wet-mesic prairie which supports 380
plant species including the federally-listed eastern prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera
leucophaea), 350 insect species, 13 reptile and amphibian species, 21 nesting
bird species, and 12 mammal species. The INPC staff recommends final approval
for dedication of 0.67 acres as an addition to Gensburg-Markham Prairie Nature
Preserve.
REPORT ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED
Steven Byers Final Approval for Dedication
Nature Preserves Commission
Item 17:* Lake Co. -- Mullaney Addition as Nature Preserve Buffer to Wauconda
Bog Nature Preserve, Dedication
The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission conferred preliminary approval for dedication
of four separate tracts, totaling approximately 4.6 acres as additions of buffer
to Wauconda Bog Nature Preserve at the Commission's 153rd Meeting
in October, 1996 (Resolution #1333). The four tracts owned by Dino Guerin (0.75
acres); Deb Marlewski (0.68 acres); Al and Teresa Tyde (3 acres); and Jim Mullaney
(0.18 acres) are located within the INAI boundary for Wauconda Bog (INAI #1002).
Final approval for dedication was granted to Deb Marlewski (Resolution #1343)
and Al and Teresa Tyde (Resolution #1344) at the Commission's 154th
Meeting in February, 1997. Jim Mullaney is now seeking final approval of his tract
as an addition to Wauconda Bog Nature Preserve. Wauconda Bog has been recognized
on both the INAI (for the extant high-quality forested bog and marsh communities)
and the U.S. National Park Service as a National Natural Landmark. The Illinois
Nature Preserves Commission staff recommends that the 0.22-acre parcel identified
in the Instrument of Dedication be granted final approval for dedication as nature
preserve buffer to Wauconda Bog Nature Preserve.
REPORT ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED
Steven Byers Final Approval for Dedication
Nature Preserves Commission
Item 18:* McHenry Co. -- Wittman Addition to Boone Creek Fen Nature Preserve, Dedication
The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission conferred preliminary approval for dedication
of the Wittman addition to Boone Creek Fen Nature Preserve at the Commission's
159th Meeting on May 5, 1998 (Resolution #1412). Randy and Laurie Wittman
seek final approval to dedicate approximately 1.89 acres as an addition to Boone
Creek Fen Nature Preserve. This addition would include graminoid fen and sedge
meadow communities identified on the INAI and an upland buffer consisting of dry-mesic
savanna. Boone Creek Fen was identified on the INAI (#1015) and was granted final
approval for dedication at the Commission's 156th Meeting in August, 1997 (Resolution
#1376). A key element of the proposal for dedication of Boone Creek Fen called
for efforts "...to assemble a much larger preserve ...and... encompass much of
the adjacent uplands." The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission staff recommends
that the 1.89 acre parcel identified in the Instrument of Dedication be granted
final approval for dedication as an addition to Boone Creek Fen Nature Preserve.
REPORT ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED
Steven Byers Final Approval for Dedication
Nature Preserves Commission
Item 19:* Will Co. -- Addition to Romeoville Prairie Nature Preserve, Dedication
The Forest Preserve District of Will County proposes to dedicate approximately
28 acres as an addition to Romeoville Prairie Nature Preserve. Romeoville Prairie
received final approval for dedication at the Commission's 100th Meeting in July,
1984 (Resolution #816). The addition contains Grade C dolomite prairie and sedge
meadow, critical to the management and viability of the Nature Preserve. This
addition was recognized as part of the Romeoville Prairie by the INAI (#936).
The area is part of a large complex of natural land known as the Romeoville Prairie
Natural Area. This natural area is 390 acres with a large diversity of plants
and animals. More than 317 native plant species occur in the natural area, among
these are the federally endangered leafy prairie clover (Dalea foliosa),
and state endangered marsh St. John's wort (Triadenum virginicum). Three
state threatened plants also occur in the natural area. The natural area has contributed
to the preservation of federally sensitive species including the federally endangered
Hines emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana) and the restoration of
the federally threatened lakeside daisy (Hymenoxys acaulis var. glabra).
This addition to Romeoville Prairie Nature Preserve received preliminary approval
for dedication at INPC's 159th Meeting on May 5, 1998 (Resolution #1413).
REPORT ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED
Brian Reilly Final Approval for Dedication
Nature Preserves Commission
Item 20:* Winnebago Co. -- Howard D. Colman Dells Nature Preserve, Dedication
The proposed Howard D. Colman Dells Nature Preserve is a portion of an area six
miles southwest of Rockford, along Hall Creek, known historically as the Dells
of Rockford. It is immediately adjacent to Severson Dells Nature Preserve (also
in Winnebago County) and is located in the Freeport Section of the Rock River
Hill Country Natural Division of Illinois. The 54.69 acres include a winding section
of Hall Creek and its narrow floodplain, three dolomite exposures (dells) along
the creek supporting dolomite cliff vegetation, approximately forty acres of dry-mesic
ravines and upland woods, and one Illinois threatened species, rice grass (Oryzopsis
racemosa). The proposed preserve was donated to the Natural Land Institute
(NLI) of Rockford, in 1997. It is NLI's intent to dedicate the 54.69-acre tract
as an Illinois Nature Preserve in accordance with the wishes of the donor, Mrs.
Dorothy Colman Wallace. Dedication of the tract will complement the adjoining
Severson Dells Nature Preserve and will complete protection of the unique dells
area. The Commission granted preliminary approval for the dedication of Howard
D. Colman Dells Nature Preserve at its 159th Meeting on May 5, 1998
(Resolution #1414).
REPORT ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED
John Alesandrini Final Approval for Dedication
Nature Preserves Commission
Item 21:* Will Co. - Hickory Creek Barrens Nature Preserve: Proposal to Move Historic
Structure into Nature Preserve Buffer
The Forest Preserve District of Will County is proposing to move a historic schoolhouse
from across Schoolhouse Road to a location in an approved trail access area within
dedicated buffer. The Schmuhl school, a one room brick schoolhouse, built in 1922,
would be moved to the planned location across Schoolhouse Road. A trail access
area was approved at the time of dedication for this location. As a part of this
project, parking and access roads will be developed at the time of trail development.
Additional parking will be added.
REPORT
Marcy DeMauro
Forest Preserve District of Will County
Item 22: Johnson Co.--Heron Pond-Little Black Slough Nature Preserve, Update on
Erosion Control
REPORT
Randy Heidorn
Nature Preserves Commission
Item 23:* Lake Co. - Illinois Beach Nature Preserve & North Dunes Nature Preserve,
Update on Asbestos Investigations and Remediation
REPORT
Randy Heidorn
Nature Preserves Commission
Item 24: Public Comment Period (3 minutes per person)
Item 25: Other Business
Item 26: Adjournment