ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS COMPLETED

Project reviews completed from February 15 to March 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 the projects 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.

Horseshoe Lake State Park0001051 - This project involves the installation of ½" telephone wires at the site. The wires will be installed by using a plow blade at a depth of 12". Project was submitted for review on 2-14-00.

North Point Marina
0000788 - New fiber optic cable to replace existing wire cable is being installed at the site. The cable will be attached to existing utility poles located along the entrance road and then will be installed underground using a vibrating plow to the administration building. From there they will run north and south to feed into the dock system. Project was submitted for review on 2-8-00.

Beaver Dam State Park
0001045 - Three trenches will be run to accommodate new water lines and electrical lines at the site. One trench will run from the entrance to the site residence. The second will run from the tent camping area to the new pavilion. The third will run from the front entrance sign to the existing power pole. Project was submitted for review on 2-9-00.

Hennepin Canal
0001509 - The Sterling Park District leases IDNR property which houses Oppold Marina. The Park District is proposing to install an above ground gas tank for the sale of fuel to boats. This new fuel tank is a replacement for the buried system which was removed previously. Project was submitted for review on 3-7-00.

Ten Mile Creek SF&WA
0000782 - One element of this work will involve the digging of a channel through a causeway between two existing strip mine lakes at the Belle Rive Unit to permit boat access to the south lake. The channel will be approximately 15' wide and 6' deep and be approximately 50' in length. The second element will consist of the cleaning out of the drainage ditch that flows into and out of a strip mined lake to allow water to back up to the dam of a moist soil wetland unit. From here the water will be seasonally pumped into the wetland unit. Project was submitted for review on 2-7-00.

Ten Mile Creek SF&WA
0000783 - This project involves the construction of a small pond in the wash of an agricultural field to control erosion and provide wildlife habitat. The pond will be less than ½ acre in size and have a maximum depth of 8' at the dam. Project was submitted for review on 2-7-00.

Ten Mile Creek SF&WA
0000785 - This project involves modifications to an existing hiking trail in the Goshen Trail Unit. Work will include a new connecting loop to a access parking lot, some brush removal, weed mowing and trail signage. Project was submitted for review on 2-7-00

Ten Mile Creek SF&WA
0000786 - This project involves the construction of moist soil management wetlands in waterways of agricultural fields of the Belle Rive and Goshen Trail Units. The units will have a pool area of approximately one acre and impound up to 5' of water. Each unit will manipulate water levels to produce moist soil plants by the use of a stop log structure. Project was submitted for review on 2-7-00.

Ten Mile Creek SF&WA
0000784 - This project entails the construction of one lane gravel boat ramps on various strip mine lakes at the Eads Unit of the site. A gravel parking area that will handle up to 6 vehicles with trailers will be provided at each of the ramps. Project was submitted for review on 2-7-00.

Ten Mile Creek SF&WA
0000780 - This project entails the construction of shallow water wetlands on former strip mined land using a rice plow/terrace disk. The levees made to impound the water will be up to 3' high and will not incorporate drainage structures in their design. Project was submitted for review on 2-7-00.

Sam Dale State Conservation Area
0000442 - This project will allow the local water district to install a water main around the entire perimeter of the site. The line will abut the county roads and be within a 10' wide corridor. Project was submitted for review on 1-6-00.

Mackinaw River SF&WA
0001046 - This project involves the reconstruction of the main parking area at the site office and maintenance area. The reconstruction will be confined to the existing pavement. Project was submitted for review on 2-9-00.

Jim Edgar Panther Creek SF&WA
0000776, 0000777 - The two projects involve the construction of a standard pit toilet and a picnic shelter at the Gurney Pond and Geiss Road Pond day use areas. Projects were submitted for review on 2-11-00.

Jim Edgar Panther Creek SF&WA
0000773 - This project involves the construction of an archery range and access trail at the site. The range will have two shooting lanes with a tower and 4 targets each. A fence will be installed to secure the back side of the range. Project was submitted for review on 2-11-00.

Mississippi Palisades State Park
61302 - This project consisted of the review of a proposed 40 room motel facility with a 100 car parking lot adjacent to Mississippi Palisades State Park. Project was submitted for review on 12-22-98

Shabbona Lake State Park
0000571 - This project entails the construction of a 20' x 20' storage building with the campground area to store materials and machinery. Project was submitted for review on 1-28-00.

Horseshoe Lake Conservation Area
9903358 - This project entails the development of 10 new wetland areas by building low levees across swales in existing agricultural fields. Stop log structures will be used for water level manipulation and management will be directed toward moist soil plant production. Project was submitted for review on 11-10-99.

Hidden Springs State Forest
0000568 - This project proposed to improve the existing fire lane road through an area that periodically floods by raising the grade by 2'. This will ensure access during wet weather and ensure adequate water retention for existing breeding areas of reptiles and amphibians. Project was submitted for review on 1-27-00.

Hidden Springs State Park
0000569 - This project involves the removal of 3 acres of white/ red pine and the area restored with native prairie species. This action will combine two larger prairie areas into on large contiguous field to benefit sensitive grassland birds. Project was submitted for review on 1-27-00.

Fort Massac
0000787 - This project will provide for the renovation of the existing boat ramp facility at the site. Included in the work will be a 2 lane concrete ramp, paved parking and maneuvering area, standard vault toilet, drinking fountain and hydrant, new security lighting, new kiosk and concrete sidewalks. Reinforcement of shoreline embankments and existing eroded areas around the perimeter of the area will also be included. Project was submitted for review on 2-7-00.

The Department received 16 comment letters concerning the proposed cabin construction at Eldon Hazlet State Park. The majority of comments addressed the issue of new development within known massasauga habitat or use areas.

Though not an agency sponsored project, the Department has worked diligently to see that the massasauga would be recognized as a major consideration for development interests in and around the Carlyle Lake area. Included in these efforts is the current development of a lake wide management plan. This plan, in cooperation with the Corps of Engineers, will be able to address both the needs of the massasauga and development proposals at the lake over the long term. Critical habitat and use studies concerning the biology of the massasauga are currently underway and critical habitat in addition to Corps land will be acquired as it is identified.

With the ongoing studies in place and the identification of habitat and use areas for the massasauga a primary goal, the Department has decided to proceed with the additional cabin development at Eldon Hazlet with the following constraints in mind:

• The Department has relocated the new cabin sites to minimize the area of new disturbance.
• The Department has reduced the number of structures from a possible 10-12 to 4 containing 8 cabin units by converting single structures to duplexes.
• Less area will be required due to the conversion of single cabins to duplexes.
• Protocols will be instituted that will govern activities when a massasauga has been sighted or located. These protocols will pertain to visitors, site staff, and construction personnel.
• Members of the public may appeal the Department’s decision within 15 calendar days. Following the appeal period, the Department’s final decision will be announced in the next issue of the Environmental Reporter.

Mr. Kenneth L. Litchfield, CERP Program Manager
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Office of Realty and Environmental Planning
524 S. Second Street
Springfield, Illinois 62701
Phone: (217) 785-5500

All comments must be received by the close of business on Tuesday, April 16^th, 2000.
 
 

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