Victory for Illinois Paddlers!

Aurora Paddlefest, July 2009, Aurora, IL

Earlier this week, the proposed Dam Safety Rule that would have effectively closed many well-used Illinois rivers to paddlers was sent back to Illinois Department of Natural Resources by the legislative body that approves state agency rules (see news story). The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules cited concerns raised by the Illinois Paddling Council as the primary reason for rejecting the proposed rule. The Committee has asked DNR to revise the rule, taking a case-by-case approach, rather than the one-size-fits-all proposal for determining safety exclusion zones around dangerous low-head dams on public waterways in Illinois. Prairie Rivers Network will work with the paddling community and the DNR to come up with a workable solution that will protect lives at these dangerous dams while allowing for the safe use of rivers by paddlers.

Congratulations to Illinois Paddling Council and other groups and individuals who carried out this successful campaign!