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Input Sought for Natural Land Use - Court Settlements Provide Means to Improve Floodplain

Posted on: Wednesday, 19 May 2004, 06:00 CDT

By Journal Star staff

SPRINGFIELD - Public input is being sought on land to be acquired for natural and wildlife protection and recreational use in Will and Logan counties as a result of court settlements against firms responsible for oil releases.

The projects are the first since a new agreement was reached in February for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois attorney general to work together to pursue "Natural Resource Damage Assessments" against those responsible for causing damage to the environment and wildlife through releases of oil or other hazardous substances.

"Illinois provides natural resources able to be enjoyed by any resident, no matter what part of the state he or she lives in," Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Friday. "From the abundance of lakes in the southern part of our state to the myriad of hiking trails in the northern portion of Illinois, our natural resources need to be protected by all means possible."

Federal environmental laws authorize states to designate trustees to seek compensation for lost or injured natural resources and use it for restoration projects in the vicinity of the damages. Directors of the IEPA and IDNR are Illinois' trustees.

"We can't allow polluters to rob future generations of the opportunity to know and enjoy Illinois' natural beauty. We will continue to hold companies responsible for damage they cause to our natural resources," Blagojevich said.

A court settlement reached in November 2002 provided approximately $105,000 as compensation for a release of gasoline, diesel oil and related substances in Logan and Menard counties in 1994 and 1997 by Williams Pipeline Co.

The releases caused damages to approximately 21 acres of stream and floodplain habitat along an unnamed tributary to Salt Creek. The proposed use of the settlement would purchase a 48-acre parcel that would be a new entrance to Edward Madigan State Park, as well as restoration to native habitat for wildlife and associated recreational activity. A second parcel of 15 acres includes a natural stream recognized as biologically significant because of its high diversity of mussels. It would also enable IDNR to protect and restore a half-mile of stream habitat and buffer.

An April 2002 court settlement resulting from a release of diesel fuel into a ditch at the Commonwealth Edison Braidwood generating station in June 2000 includes $4,700 in Natural Resource Restoration funds. The fuel migrated two miles and entered a wetland and contaminated the soil and killed fish, ducks and other wildlife.

The proposed restoration project at the Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area will expand a 5-acre wetland area by an additional 3 acres. It will provide enhanced habitat for migrating waterfowl and local wildlife.

The public has until May 15 to relay comments to the IDNR. Information is available on the Web at http://dnr.state.il.us/ and under "announcements."

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