May 2000 Environmental Reporter

THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER

May 1, 2000
Vol.8, No.9

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS COMPLETED

Project reviews completed from March 15 to April 15 are listed below. These projects have b(:en screened through the internal environmental review process for potential impacts on wetlands, threatened and endangered species, and cultural and archaeological resources, etc. l:'hrough 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 deemed 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.

Wildcat Hollow State Forest
0001352 -The EJ Water Corporation has requested permission to install a water line at the site. The line will be located on the north and west side of the state forest. The 4" line will be trenched in at approximately 3-4' deep and a 4' gate valve and box will be installed. Project was submitted for review on 2-22-00.
Lake Murphysboro State Park
0001986 -This project entails the construction of a new site and district office at the park. The new building will be approximately 2700 square feet in size and will be located northeast of the present service building. The utility lines will be relocated underground and a new 4-5 car parking lot will be provided. Project was submitted for review on 3-16-00.
Snakeden Hollow SFWA
0001982 -This project will provide for the upgrading of the county highway)r that provides access to the main entrance of the site. Work will include providing positive surface and subsurface drainage, application of base material, A-3 surface treatment, and providing adequate sight distance from the main site entrance. Project was submitted for review on 3-15-00.
Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA
0001998 -This project will stabilize gully erosion that is approaching County Highway 2. Four dry dams will be constructed to intercept runoff and transfer it downslope to a rip rap outlet near the base of a ravine. The project area is approximately one acre in size. Project was submitted for review on 3-20-00.
Starved Rock State Park
0001977 -The township road that accesses the group campground at the site will be upgraded and improved. Work items include pavement saw cuts to repair the base, 3' of class I asphalt, gravel shoulders, and pavement stripping. Project was submitted for review on 3-21-00.
Tri-county State Park
0001052 -This project involves the grading of 3.79 acres of park property to provide a smooth transition of land contours with adjacent properties. Native vegetation will be restored and a storm sewer pipe will be installed. Project was submitted for review on 3-5-00.
Horseshoe Lake State Park
0001052 -This project involves the installation of approximately 200 feet of bike trail within the park boundaries. The trail will be 101 wide and have 2" of asphalt laid over 6" of rock. Project was submitted for review on 2-14-00.
Beaver Dam State Park
0001828 -This project consists of the construction of a 25' x 30' rock parking lot using CA 6 rock for the surface. Project was submitted for review on 3-13-00.
Weldon Springs State Park
0001827 -This project will repair the leaking sluice gate in the dewatering tower for the lake at the site. The project will also include the placement of rip rap at the bottom of the stilling basin and guard rail will be added on the outside of the curve on the existing road downstream of the spillway. Project was submitted for review on 3-13-00.
Chain 0' Lakes State Park
0001033 -This project entails the reactivation of water well #2 in Turner Lake South Campground. Work items will include the installation of an electrical pump in the well, a pressurized 60 gallon buried water tank, and 200' of water line from the tank to the new hydrant. Project was submitted for review on 2-15-00.
Mermen Lake
0001353 -This project involves the use of the Departments Hydro Axe to clear approximately 25-30 acres of encroaching small woody vegetation and herbaceous plant material that is making the walk-in hunting area at the site: impractical for use. Project w~s submitted for review on 2-22-00.
Shabbona Lake State Park
0001984 -This project provides for the resurfacing of 1/4 mile of township road that accesses the main entrance to the park. The overlay will be a Class I hot mix and the surface ,and subsurface drainage will be improved. Project was submitted for review on 3-13-00.
Kinkaid Lake
0001346- This project will renovate the Mt. Joy and Paul Ice Boat Access Areas at the site. Work items will include paving of existing parking and maneuvering areas, new restroom facilities, new courtesy boat docks, new drinking and yard hydrants, new site lighting, new kiosk and bench, ADA improvements, and grading and seeding of disturbed areas. Project was submitted for review on 2-28-00.
Apple River Canyon State Park
0001048 -This project will stabilize an eroding streambank along the: South Fork Apple River in the park. The work will consist of placement of graded RR5 rip rap along the toe of the bank for a distance of approximately 230'. The rip rap will be keyed into the bank at three locations along the work area. Project was submitted for review on 2-9-00.
Starved Rock State Park
0001340 -This project provides for the construction of a new visitor center adjacent to the parking lots in the present day-use area. Project was submitted for review on 3-1-00.
Walnut Point State Park
0001343 -This project will extend underground electrical service to the Pleasant View and Twin Points picnic shelters. Each work item involves running the lines 500' to the nearest electrical hook up. Project was submitted for review on 3-2-00.
Trail of Tears State Forest
0001349 -This project will replace old, outdated, and unsafe play equipment at the site. The new play equipment will be located in the picnic area in the same vicinity as the existing. The total area needed for installation will be approximately 130' x 50'. Project was submitted for review on 2-28-00

Sam Dale Lake Conservation Area
0000420 -This project provides for the improvement of the access road to the site by replacing the existing culverts with new precast prestressed concrete deck- beam bridges. Additional work items will include earth approaches and aggregate surface courses. Project was submitted for review on 2-15-00.

Rauchfuss Hill
0002347- This project involves the installation of two new vault toilet buildings at the site. The buildings are approximately 12' x 18' in size and will include concrete sidewalks connected to nearby parking lots. One unit will be located in the picnic area and the other in the site's campground. Project was submitted for review on 3-27-00.

Sam Parr SFWA
000 1347 -This project will provide for the resurfacing of the existing roads and parking areas at the site. The roads will be overlaid w th a bituminous mix and the existing parking areas will be resurfaced. Two cross road culverts will be re laced as well as regulatory signs along the park roads. Project was submitted for review on 2-26-00.
Dixon Springs State Park
0001348- This project ill replace old outdated play equipment at the site. The location for the new equipment will be approximately 75' x 50' in size and be located in the Ballfield Picnic Area and the Springs Picnic Area. Project was submitted for review on 2-28-00.
Cache River State Natural Area
0000308- This project in involves the hydraulic dredging of a 1.25 mile long segment of the Cache River. The primary purpose of the work is to remove the significant silt load fro this reach of the river and restore deepwater fishery habitat. The dredged material will be piped to a containment basin and allowed to settle. Project was submitted for review on 1-6-00.
Wolf Creek State Park
000 1345 -This project will provide for the construction of a picnic shelter at the swimming beach at the site. The proposed shelter ill be located between the parking lot and the beach to the north of the play equipment. Project was submitted for review on 3-2-00.
Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA
0001351 -This project pr vides for the construction of access roads to the family campgrounds, group campgrounds and prim it ve campgrounds at the site. Additional construction. ems include 6 cabins, waste sand filters, shower build g, vault toilets, playground, boat docks, campfire rings and lean-to's. Project was submitted for review on -1-00.
Cave in Rock State Park
0001044- The Village of Cave in Rock has requested permission to replace a water line at the entrance to the cabins and restaurant at the park. The line is approximately 180' in length and is located on the east side of the entrance road. Project was submitted for review on 2-24-00
Starved Rock State Park
0001507 -This project involves the upgrade and improvement of several park roads and the installation of a new entrance road. Approximately 6,600' of IDOT highway within the park will have its surface removed, have gutter and drainage improvements added, and have the base stabilized. Six parking areas within the park are to undergo surface improvements. In addition, approximately 3,227' of new entrance road will be installed. The old entrance road will be removed and the areas scarified and excavated to a depth of 8". Top soil will be added and the area seeded. Project was submitted for review on 2-5-00.

Questions and Comments

All questions and comments about the environmental review process or this newsletter should be directed to:
Notice of Significant Action Carlyle Lake ( Eldon Hazlet State Park)

The Department has received numerous appeal letters from citizens and organizations regarding the decision to proceed with the modified plan to construct cabins at Eldon Hazlet State Park. All the letters opposed the project. While various arguments against the project were made, none of the letters raised concerns or contained new information which has not been considered by the Department at length and in depth. After consideration of the letters and comments received, the Department remains confident the measures it has taken and will take to avoid, minimize, or compensate for potential impacts to the Massasauga Rattlesnake will allow the project to go forward without risking the viability of the Massasauga population. Therefore the Director is announcing his decision to proceed with the project.

The Department appreciates the level of interest the public has expressed and its participation in the Comprehensive Environmental Review Process.

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

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