PRESS RELEASE ISSUED: January 31, 2012

River, Lake Advocates Praise New Path Toward Better Flood Control, Cleaner Water, and Keeping Asian Carp Out of Great Lakes

A highly-anticipated report released today clearly demonstrates that it is possible to separate the artificial connection between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River basins and prevent the transfer of invasive species through the Chicago river system

The study, Restoring the Natural Divide, offers real alternatives to simply closing the locks between the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Authored by the Great Lakes Commission and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, representing governors and top officials from Great Lakes states, cities, and provinces, the report re-envisions the Chicago River as a system which not only prevents the transfer of aquatic invaders such as Asian carp, but also better serves its functions of moving people and goods and managing stormwater, while improving water quality.

Restoring the Natural Divide offers detailed analysis on three possible separation scenarios and includes a wealth of data on the integration of each scenario with the region’s water infrastructure, as well as an outline and timetable for implementation.

The study was prompted by the urgent need to find a solution to the the ongoing problem of invasive species, including Asian carp. Strong evidence suggests that the threat of Asian carp entering the Great Lakes is imminent and their potential to wreak ecological and economic havoc is real.

While Asian carp have been the public face of invasive species, they are among 39 species deemed “high risk” by the Army Corps of Engineers based on a propensity to invade and to inflict significant damage to new habitat.

Local and Federal Governments currently spend upwards of $200 million per year to control invasive species in the Great Lakes. Ending the continuing threat of transfer of these aquatic invaders through the Chicago River system will be essential to the region’s long-term economic well-being, and would complement plans for river restoration, increasing the value of Chicago’s second waterfront. {Continue Reading »}

Stream brown with livestock waste from nearby factory farm

BY STACY JAMES

Prairie Rivers Network works with partners across the state to reduce water pollution from factory farms. Livestock waste pollutes Illinois’ water with disease-causing bacteria, antibiotics, ammonia, nitrates and algae blooms. In the most egregious cases, streams turn brown with raw sewage that kills all wildlife inhabitants. Pollution happens when waste storage structures leak or spill, a far too common occurrence that often goes undetected until there is a fish kill. Another way that streams become polluted is when too much manure is applied to farm fields as fertilizer and rain or melting snow carries the waste into nearby streams.

Factory farms are one of the least-regulated sources of pollution. Some regulations exist but they do not require adequately stringent manure management practices. State government is also underfunded to inspect factory farms and prevent problems from happening in the first place.

Consequently, we are seeking changes at the state level that would make a significant impact on Illinois’ rivers. We are focused on strengthening the rules that govern factory farms, and increasing the revenue available to the Illinois EPA for inspections. Fortunately, these efforts are proving fruitful, and we have made new allies along the way.

2 Steps Toward Cleaner Water

After two years of advocating for rule changes that would require more responsible livestock waste management, the Illinois EPA adopted several of our recommendations! The draft rules limit how much manure and liquid waste can be applied to farm fields. Applicators will be prohibited from applying waste close to ditches and other conduits that lead to streams. And the waste storage capacity requirements will be increased, so that overflows and untimely land application are less likely to occur. {Continue Reading »}

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED: January 18, 2012

Contacts:

Sandra Diaz, Appalachian Voices
Diana Dascalu-Joffe, Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Jared Saylor, Earthjustice
Eric Schaeffer, Environmental Integrity Project
Hartwell Carson, French Broad Riverkeeper
Mary Love, Kentuckians For The Commonwealth
Anne Hedges, Montana Environmental Information Center
Barb Gottlieb, Physicians for Social Responsibility
Traci Barkley, Prairie Rivers Network
Sean Sarah, Sierra Club
Aaron Sarver, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

Groups head to court to force issuance of important national safeguards

Washington, D.C. – Environmental and public health groups announced their intent to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in federal court to force the release of long awaited public health safeguards against toxic coal ash. The EPA has delayed the first-ever federal protections for coal ash for nearly two years despite more evidence of leaking ponds, poisoned groundwater supplies and threats to public health.

Earthjustice, on behalf of Appalachian Voices (NC), Chesapeake Climate Action Network (MD), Environmental Integrity Project, French Broad Riverkeeper (NC), Kentuckians For The Commonwealth (KY), Montana Environmental Information center (MT), Physicians for Social Responsibility, Prairie Rivers Network (IL), Sierra Club and Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (TN), sent the EPA a notice of intent to sue the agency under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The law requires the EPA to ensure that safeguards are regularly updated to address threats posed by wastes. However, the EPA has never undertaken any action to ensure safeguards address the known threats posed by coal ash, a toxic mix of arsenic, lead, hexavalent chromium, mercury, selenium, cadmium and other dangerous pollutants that result from burning coal at coal-fired power plants.

A copy of the Notice of Intent to Sue letter sent to the EPA is available at: http://earthjustice.org/sites/default/files/NOI_RCRA_1_18_12.pdf

Following a spill of more than a billion gallons of coal ash at a disposal pond in Harriman, TN, in December 2008, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson announced in 2009 plans to set federal coal ash regulations by year’s end. In May 2010, the EPA proposed a hybrid regulation to classify coal ash either as hazardous or non-hazardous waste. After eight public hearings across the country and more than 450,000 public comments, the agency decided to delay finalizing the rule amid intense pressure from the coal and power industries.

Despite numerous studies showing the inadequacy of current federal coal ash safeguards to protect public health and the environment as well as documented evidence by the EPA and environmental groups showing coal ash poisoned aquifers and surface waters at 150 sites in 36 states, the EPA continues to fail to adopt federal safeguards. Today’s lawsuit would force the EPA to set deadlines for review and revision of relevant solid and hazardous waste regulations to address coal ash, as well as the much needed and overdue changes to the test that determines whether a waste is hazardous under RCRA. {Continue Reading »}

Follow Robert Hirschfeld on Twitter @PRN_Carp

BY ROBERT HIRSCHFELD

At this moment, there are countless Asian carp steadily making their way northward, swimming upstream throughout the Mississippi River basin, and encroaching into new territory in South Dakota, Minnesota, and most infamously, into the manmade canals on the outskirts of Chicago. These canals connect the Mississippi River basin with a jewel of the Midwest, the Great Lakes.

The Chicago Area Waterway System represents ground zero for the threat of a full-scale Asian carp invasion into the Great Lakes.

Asian carp are well-known as an insidious and malignant invader, outcompeting native species and leaving millions more Asian carp in their wake of disruption.

The fight against Asian carp has reached a critical juncture. The groundwork that is being laid now, by Prairie Rivers Network and our many partners, will help determine the course of an entire region, including its greatest water resources—the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. {Continue Reading »}

Please contact LaSalle County Board members and tell them to protect Starved Rock by not permitting the sand mine.

If you have time for just one call, the board chair is Jerry Hicks, 815-795-2608.

A proposed sand mine adjacent to Starved Rock State Park could drain a rare, brackish wetland, with high quality plant communities and specific habitat for threatened and endangered species. The noise generated from blasting and constant truck traffic will have a negative impact on the wildlife populations that inhabit the area.

Starved Rock State Park receives over 2 million visitors annually; many of whom come to view the abundant wildlife that occur in the area, such as the bald eagles that overwinter there and the white pelicans that migrate to the Illinois Valley in spring and fall.

It’s not too late to let members of the LaSalle County Board know that you oppose locating this mine near Starved Rock. Please take the time to call board members and voice your concern.

In December, the LaSalle County Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously in favor of the Permit. However, the proposal will go before the full LaSalle County Board on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 for a final vote.

Please contact the County Board Members or attend the County Board Meeting in support of Starved Rock State Park.

When: Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at 1 PM

Where: Knights of Columbus Hall at 401 W. Main Street in Ottawa, Illinois

BY ERIC FREYFOGLE, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Since its beginning in 1967, Prairie Rivers Network has been sustained by conservation-minded people who believe in its work enough to have invested in it. With private donations in hand, staff members have reached out to foundations for further support, multiplying the individual gifts. The resulting record speaks for itself: Over the past decade, Prairie Rivers has enjoyed a growth rate of a full ten percent each year–and this in times of economic turmoil and cutbacks in foundation giving.

This spring, Prairie Rivers Network has begun two efforts to recognize the vital contributions of its donors and to encourage continued engagement. The move is part of a larger effort by staff and the Board to expand programs and effectiveness. Donors giving annually are invited to become charter members in the Friends of Illinois Rivers, a group of supporters who commit to give at least $1,000 per year. The Board hopes to enroll, as an interim goal, 45 charter members by October 2012, just in time for the organization’s 45th anniversary. Goals thereafter are 60 Friends by 2016 and 100 Friends by 2021. As this newsletter goes to press, 40 members have enrolled as charter Friends, so the interim goal is very much in sight.

For donors who have given at this level, joining the Friends group will be easy. For others–a growing number, we hope–donations at this level will represent an important increase in their involvement in the organization. Increased donations are vital if Prairie Rivers Network is to reach out to foundations beyond the state and region–to national-level foundations with household names that are beginning to take interest in the rivers, streams, and lakes of Illinois.

If you are able to become a Friend, please say so! The easiest way to do this is through recurring giving, where you automatically make a contribution to Prairie Rivers Network each month.

For many donors, a better way to support Prairie Rivers Network is through a bequest or other delayed gift. Deferred giving can take many forms, from a simple bequest in a will, to the designation of Prairie Rivers Network to receive life insurance proceeds, to a variety of more complex arrangements. Deferred gifts go directly to Prairie Rivers Network operations, for immediate use, and to help sustain our programs over time. To encourage deferred giving, the Board has created the River Legacy Society. Its ranks will include supporters who have made plans in their wills or otherwise to make gifts in the future. Friends and Legacy Society members will be recognized (if willing) and invited to occasional special gatherings.

Please contact Glynnis at 217.344.2371 or gcollins @ prairierivers.org for more information.