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June 13, 2000
The Honorable Governor George R. Ryan
RE: Nutrient-based water pollution affecting Illinois waterways Dear Governor Ryan: We the undersigned groups urge you to address one of the most important water quality issues facing the State of Illinois nutrient-based pollution. As you are no doubt aware nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, present an enormous problem to Illinois’ rivers, lakes, and streams. This fact is illustrated by the listings of impaired Illinois waters submitted by Illinois EPA and approved by U.S. EPA. The sources of nutrient-based pollutants are primarily runoff from agricultural lands and treated wastewater from municipal sewage treatment plants. Illinois EPA, Illinois DNR, and numerous researchers at state universities have conducted studies of nutrient based pollution and have confirmed that our waters are being impacted by nutrients. Many streams, reservoirs, and backwaters suffer from extremely low dissolved oxygen levels, a result of nutrient-based pollution. Numerous drinking water supplies regularly exceed the standards for nitrates. Not only are Illinois’ fish and wildlife impacted adversely by nutrient-based pollution, but Illinois’ citizens, too, are impacted by consuming polluted drinking water and paying for expensive treatment upgrades with public tax dollars. The federal government is in the midst of its own examination of nutrient-based pollution. Currently, U.S. EPA is developing water quality criteria for the control of nutrients. The Gulf of Mexico/Mississippi River Basin Watershed Nutrient Task Force has issued findings that show Illinois to be one of the major sources of nutrients that influence the so-called "Dead Zone" in the Gulf of Mexico, or Gulf Hypoxic Zone. We have read your comments, dated July 27, 1999, to the Gulf of Mexico/Mississippi River Basin Watershed Nutrient Task Force. Some of your criticisms of the Task Force’s findings raise legitimate scientific concerns regarding the relationship between pollution in Illinois and effects on the Gulf. But we must not fail to recognize the overarching problem we face from nutrient-based pollution in Illinois. No matter what conclusions are drawn about Illinois’ contribution to the Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone, Illinois must not ignore the problems with nutrients within Illinois’ borders and caused by sources within our state. The agricultural industry is by far the number one source of nutrients in Illinois. Numerous studies conducted by the state’s own scientists show this to be the case, particularly in downstate Illinois. In the northeastern part of the state municipal sewage treatment plants, straining to meet the demands of an ever increasing urban population, are the primary cause of nutrient-based pollution. Leadership is needed on this important and timely issue. We the undersigned believe that Illinois must do more to control the release of nutrient-based pollution into our waters. We would very much like to discuss this matter with you and your staff at your earliest convenience. Please notify Prairie Rivers Network and the undersigned organizations about when such a meeting might be possible. Sincerely,
Robert J. Moore
Joanna Hoelscher, Executive Director
Sam Oliver, Staff Director
Dan Faust, Chairman
Gary Mechanic, Executive Director
Mark Wertz, State Chairman
Karen Hudson
Sam Stearns, Public Education Coordinator
Nick Nikola
Cynthia Skrukrud, Ph.D., President
Ken Konsis, President
Marilyn Campbell, Executive Director
Edward L. Michael
Lynne Padovan, Executive Director
Kevin Bradley
Bob Williams
Randy Vogel, Executive Director
Laura Huth, Executive Director
Rhea Edge
DeAnna Belz, President
David Pittman, Co-Chair
George Burrier, President
Jerry Paulson, Chair
Gerald Adelmann, Executive Director
Jay Friberg
Don Swensson, Grant Administrator
Martha Marks, Ph.D., Executive Director
Valerie Spale
Jeff Swano, Executive Director
Dennis Wandell, President
Jack Darin, Director
Brook McDonald, Executive Director
Albert Pyott, President
Lt. Gov. Corrinne Wood | |