ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS COMPLETED
Project reviews completed from May 15 to June 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.

Walnut Point State Park
0003302 - This project will entail the construction of a new 20' x 30' picnic shelter with a concrete floor in the campground at the site. Project was submitted for review on 4-27-00.

Kaskaskia River SF&WA
0004149 - As part of an approved maintenance procedure with the COE for navigation and fish/wildlife purposes the COE will address the siltation problems at the entrances to 5 oxbows. The work will be done using a small mud cat and the dredge material will be placed in 5 existing spoil sites. Project was submitted for review on 6-12-00.

Moraine Hills State Park
9904082 - This project involves the demolition of a residential structure on the recently acquired Peeters-Stoneburner parcel at the site. An aggregate surface will be applied to the house site to serve as a parking lot for the existing storage building. Project was submitted for review on 12-2-99.

Volo Bog State Natural Area
0001445 - This project will allow for the construction of a 25' x 65' gravel parking lot to accommodate bowhunters for the upcoming bow hunting season. The work will include the installation of a 50' long access road, a 4' x 10' panel gate, and a 6" x 12' drainage culvert. Project was submitted for review on 3-28-00.

Kankakee River State Park
0002905 - This project will provide for the improvement to the trail that leads to a highly used river overlook in the main park. Work items will include the removal of an existing concrete slab, the construction of a new grade with a 10' x 90' asphalt path, and the installation of 7 equal steps/decks from the path to the bedrock face. Project was submitted for review on 4-14-00.

Ramsey Lake State Park
9902900 - This project will replace an old, wooden set of play equipment at the site. The new play equipment will be approximately 64' x 36' and be placed in the Hickory Ridge Campground. A new sidewalk will connect the play area with an existing road or parking lot. Project was submitted for review on 4-10-00.

Horseshoe Lake State Park (Madison Co.)
9902923 - This project entails the replacement of an existing non-functioning water control structure in Raskey Slough and the installation of a new low-profile levee and water control structure in Dove Slough to provide additional diversity of wetland associated species including shore birds and moist soil plants. The Dove Slough also will include the construction of a short 150' - 200' levee. Project was submitted for review on 10-25-99.

Rice Lake SF&WA
0001826 - This project involves the opening up of two drainage ditches that have become silted in and closed over the years. The southern ditch is approximately 2000' long and the northern ditch is approximately 800' long. Both ditches drain from Big Lake to the river. Each ditch will have their respective 36" diameter water control structures replaced. Project was submitted for review on 3-10-00.

Kankakee River State Park
0002911 - This projects involves the cleaning and repainting of the Suspension Bridge which crosses Rock Creek near the Concession building of the site. Project was submitted for review on 4-17-00.

Stephen A. Forbes State Park
0002892 - This project will replace old and unsafe playground equipment at the site. Two units, 64' x 36' in size, will be placed in the Circle Drive Picnic Area and the Sassafras Picnic Area. Additional work will include an ADA parking space and a concrete sidewalk leading to each set of equipment. Project was submitted for review on 4-10-00.

Frank Holten State Park
0002895 - This project provides for the construction of a small flush toilet building at the Grand Marais Golf Course at the site. The facility will be connected to the existing city sewer line along Pocket Road. Project was submitted for review on 4-7-00.

Des Plaines Conservation Area
9901811 - This project involves the replacement of the inoperable drainage structure on the south end of the frontage road pond with a new 24" diameter pipe and sluice gate. While the pipe is being installed, the pond's dam embankment will be cleared of woody vegetation. Project was submitted for review on 9-8-99.

Rice Lake
0001966 - The existing Voorhees pump station at the site is inoperable due to siltation. This project will entail the dredging of approximately 300' of channel from the pump to the Illinois River. The dredged material will be spread on an existing earth parking lot immediately adjacent to the pump station on the inside of the Copperas Creek Levee. Project was submitted for review on 3-23-00.

Dickson Mounds
0003560, 0003561 - This is a demolition project that involves the removal of the old toilet buildings that are not in use any longer at the site. The second part of the work will include the clean up of the area in general including the removal of old tires, automobiles, a fallen wooden building, and the capping of a well. Project was submitted for review on 5-17-00.

Green River SF&WA
0003339 - This project involves the construction of a low earthen dam across a shallow swale at the site to create a wetland for moist soil plants and associated aquatic life. Project was submitted for review on 5-1-00.

Hennepin Canal Parkway
0003218 - The Sterling Park District leases certain tracts of the Hennepin Canal on the Rock River and manages the facility as a marina/recreation area. The district has requested permission to install four lights on poles along the east side of the harbor for security purposes. Project was submitted for review on 4-27-00.

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
524 S. Second Street,
Springfield, IL 62701
Phone: 217/785-5500

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