Please join us at the public meeting on May 8^th at 6:30 pm at the UCSD Urbana plant, 1100 E. University Ave.

The Urbana Champaign Sanitary District (UCSD) is considering selling large amounts of water from its Urbana and Savoy sewage treatment plants to Cronus Chemical, a company proposing a $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Tuscola, IL. UCSD is also exploring a water sale to Hallador Energy’s Sunrise Coal, the company that is trying to develop a new coal mine near Homer, IL.

UCSD’s water discharges, commonly referred to as “effluent,” now flow from the Urbana sewage treatment plant to the Salt Fork of the Vermilion River, and from the Savoy plant to Copper Slough and eventually, the Kaskaskia River.  The water sales would change the flows in these streams significantly.

Much is at stake in this contemplated water sale including the health of our streams, the sustainability of our community water supply, and the health of our local economies.  We do not believe the UCSD Board has considered the full ramifications of these sales. The District should not be rushing into contracts that promise our water to outside, water-intensive industries.  The District is holding a public meeting on May 8th at the Urbana treatment plant. Please join us for a full, open and informed discussion.

Please spread the word to your friends and colleagues.

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On April 30th, the City of Danville will hold an informational open house regarding the proposed removal of two low-head dams in the Vermilion River system. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will present removal alternatives from their most recent planning study, and also discuss how removal will benefit fish populations. Following the presentations, representatives from the City and Department of Natural Resources will be available to answer questions and take comments.

In the News: 

City seeks comments at dams meeting, Danville Commercial News, April 26, 2013 (pdf) (Elliot Brinkman from Prairie Rivers Network quoted)

Dam removal meeting gets heated, News-Gazette, April 30, 2013 (pdf)

City of Danville Dam Removal Open House

Date: Tuesday, April 30th

Time: 6:00-8:00 PM

Location: David S. Palmer Arena, 100 W. Main St., Danville, IL 61832

Danville Dam (courtesy of Illinois Department of Natural Resources)

Laura Kammin is a Pollution Prevention Program Specialist with Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

Guest blog post from Laura Kammin of Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will host another nationwide medicine take-back on Saturday, September 29. Expired and unused medications can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at one of 200 participating locations in Illinois. Check out the DEA’s website to find an event in your community. The service is free and anonymous.

Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can threaten the safety and health of humans, pets and the environment. Recent studies have found a wide-range of pharmaceutical chemicals in rivers, groundwater and drinking water throughout the United States. These chemicals can kill bacteria needed to break down waste in sewage plants and harm fish and other wildlife. Storing unneeded medicines in the home is also the cause of thousands of accidental poisonings in children and pets each year. {Continue Reading »}

by Stacy James, Water Resources Scientist

What is a rain garden?

A rain garden is a shallow, vegetated landscaping feature that captures excess rainwater and puts it to work. As the rain garden bed is slightly below the level of the yard, the garden acts as a shallow dish that holds the water for a short time so that it can instead soak into the garden soil. Well-designed rain gardens absorb 30% more water than turf lawns and will drain completely within a few days after an average storm.

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Join in the excitement of the Illinois Marathon!

Prairie Rivers Network is hosting a water station at mile 23 of the Illinois marathon.

We’re looking for volunteers to join staff and members of our board of directors in handing out water and cheering the marathoners on to the finish line.

If you can commit to joining us from 8:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 28th, please sign up here. Select “Prairie Rivers Network” from the drop down list and enter the password “prn2012″.

You will receive our Run for Your Rivers tech running shirt.

Our charity running/walking team has raised $5,150 for clean water and healthy rivers. Help cheer them on to the finish line.

If you’ve ever thought about participating in one of the Illinois Marathon races (5K, 10K, half or full marathon, or 5K walk), 2012 is your year!

Prairie Rivers Network is fielding a charity running team. Just sign up through our website and raise money on behalf of Illinois’ rivers and streams.

Whatever your level, there is a race for you. Ask a friend to join you in your race and help protect clean water while having fun at the same time.

Benefits of Running for Prairie Rivers Network

• Supporting a cause you believe in – donations that you bring in from the friends, family, and co-workers that sponsor you will go directly to supporting our Clean Water Act enforcement work
• Guaranteed lowest race registration fee when you register here
• Team Tech T-shirt and Prairie Rivers Network hat
• Rain barrel awarded to biggest fundraiser

We need your help.
Sign Up TODAY and run for your rivers!