THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER
May 1, 1998, Vol.6, No.10
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS COMPLETED
Project reviews completed from March 15 to April 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. These projects do not meet
the criteria for significant actions as defined in the environmental review
process and may proceed.
Rend Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area
52233 - This proposed project would entail the purchase and installation
of three metal goose hunting pits, replacing the four existing concrete
ones. The old pits will be broken up and buried below the plow zone. Project
was submitted for review on 3-25-98
Frank Holten State Park
52029 - This project, and the eight projects that follow, all
involve the installation of standard play equipment in day use areas at
the sites. Areas used for placement range up to 50' x 65' in size. Project
was submitted for review on 3-17-98.
Moraine Hills State Park
50826 - Same as above.
Fox Ridge State Park
50825 - Same as above.
Buffalo Rock State Park
50698 - Same as above
Dickson Mounds
27980 - Same as above.
Beaver Dam State Park
52033 - Same as above.
Washington County Conservation Area
52032 - Same as above.
Sangchris Lake State Park
52031 - Same as above.
Edward R. Madigan State Park
52030 - Same as above.
Giant City State Park
50593 - This project involves the renovation of existing trails
at the park by filling in eroded and gullied areas, installing water diversion
berms, reinforcement of the tread way and erosion control. Repairs or replacement
of existing pedestrian footbridges as well as trail signage will also be
done. All work will be done within the existing trail tread way. Project
was submitted for review on 2-3-98.
Franklin Creek
50830 - This project will provide for the construction of a
public health approved, IDNR standard campground trailer dump station with
its associated leaching field. Project was submitted for review on 2-17-98.
Herschal Workman
51529 - This project entails the construction of a 40'x60' crushed
rock parking lot with barricades on three sides to prevent field access.
The area will be leveled and surfaced with 6 to 8 inches of stone. Project
was submitted for review on 3-3-98.
Eagle/Wolf Creek
50820 - This project will clear former crop fields of invasive woody vegetation
to improve upland wildlife habitat for the hunting programs at this area.
All vegetation is under 4" in diameter with a total of 50 acres to
be cleared. Project was submitted for review on 2-17-98.
Des Plaines State Fish & Wildlife Area
50821 - This project consists of the TMG Pipeline Inc. Co. installing
a block valve on the existing 8" steel pipeline at the site. Project
was submitted for review on 2-11-98.
Clinton Lake
50827 - The five boat ramps around the lake and associated facilities
will be rehabilitated and upgraded. Work will include cutting grooves in
the surface of the ramps, adding textured surface material to the concrete,
and constructing new ramps where necessary. Courtesy docks will be added
at most of the sites and the breakwater will be extended at one site for
protection against waves. The parking lot at one site will be surfaced
with bituminous concrete and curb and gutter added. Shade trees will be
planted in the island. Project was submitted for review on 2-17-98.
Beaver Dam State Park
51269 - This project entails the rebuilding of 6 camp pads at
the site. Treated 6"x6" timbers will be used for retaining walls.
Project was submitted for review on 2-18-98.
Beaver Dam State Park
50824 - The drainage ditch on the north end of the west dam
at the site will be rehabilitated by dredging and lining with rip-rap.
This will improve the flow and reduce the amount of erosion currently taking
place. Project was submitted for review on 2-17-98.
Beaver Dam State Park
51270 - This project involves the raising of water levels with
an existing marsh at the site. The marsh goes dry during the summer months
and by raising the levee approximately 18" to 24" and inserting
a water control devise the marsh will hold water year around to the benefit
of the aquatic plants, fowl, amphibians and other animals. Project was
submitted for review on 2-18-98.
Beall Woods
50822 - This project will provide for a group camping area to
be established at the site. The location is directly south of the existing
picnic area and adjacent to parking, toilets and water. The area will be
approximately 35'x60' in size with a gravel path leading to it. All disturbed
areas will be seeded and mulched. Project was submitted for review on 2-17-98.
Argyle Lake State Park
51630 - Due to the age and degree of deterioration of the lakes
dam gates it has been decided to replace the exterior gates along the interior
walls of the intake tower. This change will allow easier inspections in
the future, less deterioration of the stems, and will avoid having to dewater
the lake. Project was submitted for review on 4-6-98.
Fort Massac Nature Preserve
49413 - This project consists of the placement of approximately
3,900' of woven wire fence along the preserve boundary. Project was submitted
for review on 12-16-97.
Manito Prairie Nature Preserve
49412 - This project will replace an existing fence that is
beyond repair with a woven wire fence. Project was submitted for review
on 12-16-97.
Harlem Hills Nature Preserve
49411 - This project will install 1,073' of woven wire fence
along the north side of the preserve. Project was submitted for review
on 12-16-97.
Hidden Springs State Park
51645 - This project involves the construction of two new separate
vault toilets at areas within the site. Both facilities will be located
adjacent to existing parking areas. Project was submitted for review on
3-5-98.
Clinton Lake
51642 - This project involves the clearing of the clogged drainage
ditch for the fish rearing pond at the site. The clogging causes the water
to over flow the ditch, impact the embankment, and flood adjacent crop field.
It is proposed to repair the embankment and cut approximately 30-40 willow
trees to facilitate the drainage. Project was submitted for review on 2-20-98.
Marshall County Conservation Area
51626 - This project involves the GTE North Incorporated to
place underground phone cables on Departmental properties with the village
of Sparland, Ill. The area is urban and no tree removal is necessary.
Project was submitted for review on 3-10-98.
Kinkaid Lake
51627 - The Kinkaid/Reeds Creek Conservancy District has been
awarded a small grant to perform shoreline stabilization at the lake. Approximately
1500' of longitudinal rip rap will be placed at the toe of steep slopes
that are experiencing heavy erosion. 300' of this will have the slopes
pulled back at the top one to four feet and the stone place below that.
Revegetation of approximately 2600' of shoreline will be done by planting
cypress trees with the Boy Scouts. Project was submitted for review on
3-10-98.
Carlyle Lake Wildlife Management Area
51628 - This project involves rehabilitation work on levee C
where Hurricane Creek has cause erosion at the toe of the slopes. The design
plan is to maximize rip rap protection for approximately 5000' along the
levee. The spillway at the site will also be rehabilitated at this time
with the installation of an aggregate roadway on the spillway. Project
was submitted for review on 3-10-98.
Eagle Creek State Park
51643 - This project involves the construction of a 40'x45'
lean-to type structure in the North Storage Area of the site to provide
additional storage needs in conjunction with the Wildlife Program. Project
was submitted for review on 3-5-98.
Eagle Creek State Park
51644 - This project provides for the construction of a 14'x24'
greenhouse type butterfly barn per a grant with the Findlay Grade School
northeast of the office area at the site. Project was submitted for review
on 3-5-98.
Saline County Fish & Wildlife Area
51640 - This project involves the construction of a pond/wetland
by installing an earthen levee across an existing drainage ditch that is
causing sedimentation of Horseshoe Creek. The levee will retain flood waters
and a pipe will be installed in the event a drawdown is desired. Project
was submitted for review on 3-9-98.
Saline County Fish & Wildlife Area
The existing 8 acre borrow area adjacent to the trout pond remains
too wet for upland management and annually floods Horseshoe Creek. The
existing levee will be reshaped and a stop log structure will be installed
so that water may be retained for use by waterfowl and furbearers. All
disturbed area will be seeded to grass and legumes. Project was submitted
for review on 3-9-98.
Saline County Fish & Wildlife Area
51638 - This project involves the construction of a 3 acre pond/wetland
within an existing crop field at the site. As this site is annually flooded
by the Saline River it will retain water over the drier months to benefit
all types of wildlife species. Project was submitted for review on 3-9-98.
Ferne Clyffe State Park
50823 - This project will involve the removal of two hazardous
buildings on Cedar Bluff. Material from the buildings will be buried on
site, capped, and seeded with annual rye and allowed to revegetate into
hardwoods upon completion. Project was submitted for review on 2-17-98.
Morrison- Rockwood State Park
51634 - This project involves the checking of erosion at several
locations along the equestrian trail system at the site. The repairs will
be confined to the existing trail system and will include "geo web",
gravel, and wood chips. Project was submitted for review on 3-6-98.
Argyle Lake State Park
51631 - The Division of Fisheries has determined that the gizzard
shad population in the lake should be eliminated through a spring or fall
application of 20 units of Fintrol Concentrate at a concentration of 0.51
ppb. The application date will be determined by a target water temperature
of 60 to 70 degrees Farinhieght and a Ph of 7.8 to 8.1. Project was submitted
for review on 3-6-98.
Mermet Lake
51530 - This project will entail the clearing of approximately
25-30 acres of small woody and herbaceous material that has encroached onto
the walk in hunting area at the site and if left unchecked will render the
area impracticable for hunting. The Department Hydro Axe will be used for
the clearing. Project was submitted for review on 3-3-98.
Moraine Hills State Park
96-718 - This project involves the planning and design of a bike trail
paralleling the north and east side of River Road on the park property.
Project was submitted for review on 2-23-98.
Lowden Miller State Forest - Timber Harvest - Significant
Action Status
Based on comments that were provided by the public
during the 45 day review period, the Department has decided to alter its
original proposal for the purpose of accommodating many of the suggestions
that were submitted. The change involves the thinning, rather than the
clearing, of the red pine. The areas selected for thinning are those of
higher public use and where the trees have not reached a state of maximum
growth. The remainder of the proposal, with the following restrictions,
will remain as originally proposed:
1.) The harvesting of any trees will
not take place between the dates of April 1st and June 15th to avoid impacts
to nesting birds utilizing the area.
2.) Harvesting will be limited to
the frozen or drier months of the year to avoid unnecessary impacts to the
forest floor from equipment.
3.) Provisions to prevent soil erosion
will be implemented at the site throughout the harvest period.
4.) Haul or skid paths will be kept
to an absolute minimum in the harvest areas.
5.) Educational /informational signs
will be placed in the areas to tell the recreational users what is taking
place, why, and what to expect from the harvest operation.
The Department invites the public to contact us during the 15 day appeal
period if they feel that there are still outstanding issues to be addressed.
A revised draft proposal can be obtained by contacting the Departments
Division of Forestry or the District Forester at (815) 732-6184. To
be considered, comments must be received by close of business May 15, 1998.
Questions and Comments - Comments on the significant action or
any of the other projects can be sent to:
- Kenneth L. Litchfield
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Div. of Natural Resources Review & Coordination
One Natural Resource Way
Springfield, IL 62702-1271
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
One Natural Resource Way
Springfield, IL 62702-1271
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, 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 handicapped individuals in compliance with
Executive Order No. 5 and pertinent state and federal laws, upon notification
of the anticipated attendance. Handicapped persons 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 Telecommunications Device for the
Deaf: 217/782-9175. The Ameritech Relay Number is 800/526-0844.
Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois.
362-6/97
Comprehensive Environmental Review Process
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