The Honorable Governor George H. Ryan
213 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
Dear Governor Ryan:

On June 15th and 16th I attended the Gulf of Mexico/Mississippi River Basin Watershed Nutrient Task Force’s meeting in St. Louis, Missouri. At that meeting the Task Force presented its draft action plan for reducing nutrient levels in the Mississippi River basin and the Gulf of Mexico. We request that Illinois support the recommended goals.

Among these was a numerical goal for reducing nutrient levels reaching the Gulf of Mexico. Illinois’ representative to the Task Force staunchly opposed any numerical goal for limiting nutrient levels. Many other states, including Iowa, Missouri, and Arkansas, followed Illinois’ lead and also opposed a numerical goal.

As proposed, the numerical goal is not a binding agreement. It is simply a goal which, in good faith, states should aspire to achieve in the foreseeable future. The goal, if agreed to, would not only benefit efforts to restore the Gulf but would also help address the problems Illinois has with nutrients. {Continue Reading »}

The Honorable Governor George R. Ryan
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706

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. {Continue Reading »}

Prairie Rivers began researching Illinois Farm Bureau policies after finding itself at odds with that organization’s representatives on a host of water quality issues in recent years. The organization was surprised to learn that the Illinois Farm Bureau takes positions that delay progress on water quality problems created by the agriculture industry, and published the report hoping to create a public dialogue on water quality issues and the agriculture industry.

Prairie Rivers Network, an Illinois-based river conservation group, recently released Dirty Water, Dirty Business, a critical report discussing the number one water pollution source in the state of Illinois — polluted agricultural runoff. The report also details the water quality positions of the largest representative of the agriculture industry, the Illinois Farm Bureau.
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By Robert J. Moore, Executive Director-Prairie Rivers NetworkWe all live upstream from someone.

To convince yourself of this fact, take your coffee outside, pour it on the ground and ask yourself the following. “Into what river or stream will it flow?” Depending on where you live in Champaign County, it could ultimately reach the Sangamon, Kaskaskia, Vermilion, or Embarras River. {Continue Reading »}