River group cites current drainage district practices as contrary to public interest

Champaign, October 8, 2003: A new survey conducted by experts from the Illinois Natural History Survey has found that protecting water quality is of paramount concern to Illinois citizens.

The survey of Illinois residents found that more than 80% believe that economic prosperity depends on a healthy environment and that high water quality is needed for strong economic growth. In addition, 66% of the public felt that more protection needed to be given to wildlife habitat along streams and rivers in Illinois.

Prairie Rivers Network noted that the survey results provided a sharp contrast to projects being implemented by drainage districts÷local units of government with broad powers and little oversight ? that frequently dredge and clear cut miles of river banks in an effort to move stormwater downstream.

“Its ironic that at a time when the public is reaffirming the need to protect water quality and fish and wildlife habitat along rivers, drainage districts around the state continue to implement projects that have serious negative impacts on the very resources Illinois citizens value, with no public oversight or accountability,” said Jean Flemma, Executive Director of Prairie Rivers Network. “According to the Illinois EPA, habitat alteration is the third leading cause of water quality decline in the state. Much of that alteration is being performed by drainage districts.”

Current law requires drainage districts to protect environmental values, including trees and fish and wildlife habitat, and to avoid erosion and pollution of the land, water, or air. Rarely do these requirements appear to be met.

For example, a project proposed by the Upper Salt Fork Drainage District, on the Salt Fork of the Vermilion River in Champaign County, will dredge and clear all trees and other vegetation along the banks and as far as twenty feet back from the edge of the banks for more than twenty miles along the river. This will impact wildlife, including gamefish sought by many who travel to the Salt Fork, by removing shade trees and woody debris in the stream that many fish, amphibians, mammals and birds rely upon for shelter, perching, and food supply.

In DeWitt County, the Coon Creek Drainage District charged close to $400,000 to straighten, deepen and widen segments of Coon Creek. Demonstrating the need for better accountability, the drainage district incorrectly drew the boundaries of the district, charging those whose land didn’t even drain into the stream for two years of property assessments, yet no refunds have yet been offered to the landowners. One year after the project began, citizen monitoring efforts shows that biological degradation from the work is evident, and that increased siltation on the stream bottom has occurred.

In Boone and McHenry Counties, opponents have pursued re-activating a now defunct drainage district to stop the creation of a 109 acre restored wetland, as part of the Crow’s Foot Conservation Area ? a joint project between Boone and McHenry County Conservation Districts, and Illinois DNR.

“We have heard from numerous landowners, and concerned citizens who are very concerned about the impacts that drainage district work is having on water quality and fish and wildlife habitat—environmental resources the drainage district commissioners are required to protect under the law,” said Flemma.

“They are also concerned about the potential for increased flooding downstream, the costs of these projects, and the lack of timely public notice. Clearly, we need better public accountability when it comes to the initiation of maintenance and new projects.”

In the case of the Upper Salt Fork Drainage District, the project has been under consideration for more than two years, but the public received notice less than thirty days before the District went to court to seek approval of the assessment for $675,000 in new taxes.

“The results of the Natural History Survey study shows that Illinois residents recognize the link between a healthy environment and a strong economy, and the drainage commissioners need to recognize that as well,” said Flemma. “Alternative practices for providing drainage now exist that do not need to have the same negative impacts on the environment. We can have adequate drainage, a healthy environment and a strong economy, but the old ways of thinking need to be altered if we are to achieve those goals, and ensure that the public interests of protecting water and wildlife are being met.”