Proposed site for STAR bonds development in the American Bottom Floodplain

In the final hours before his August 30th deadline for taking action, Governor Quinn issued an “amendatory veto” on the STAR Bonds Financing Act (Senate Bill 1909). The Bill sets up a mechanism for public financing of large commercial developments in blighted urban areas. Prairie Rivers Network, along with many of our partners (Sierra Club – Illinois Chapter and Kaskaskia Group, American Bottom Conservancy, Illinois Environmental Council), opposed the Bill throughout the 2009 Legislative Session because it includes the ludicrous provision that eligible projects must be at least partly located in floodplains. This provision is part of the Bill in order to target the taxpayer subsidy to a specific development, a mega- shopping mall and entertainment complex in and along the floodplain of the Mississippi River in Glen Carbon, IL (metro East St. Louis area). We are pleased that the Governor has requested lower subsidies than were proposed by Bill Sponsor Senator James Clayborne, of Belleville. However, we are disappointed that the issue of floodplain development has not been addressed. {Continue Reading »}

Large numbers of Franklin County residents are expected to appear at this Thursday’s Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s hearing to voice their concerns about Sugar Camp Energy’s proposed mine. Issues related to the proposed underground mine range from insufficient mitigation for loss of streams and wetlands to negative impacts to water quality. We need your help to let IEPA know they cannot grant a permit for this mine unless these issues are addressed as required by the Clean Water Act. {Continue Reading »}

Proposed site for STAR bonds development in American Bottom floodplain.

Described variously as “TIF on steroids” or “Worst Bill Ever,” Illinois Senate Bill 1909 – the STAR Bonds Financing Act – gives money to private developers at Illinois state taxpayers’ expense to develop in the 100-year floodplain because “such sites are more likely to remain underutilized and undeveloped.” Eligible sites must be vacant and no less than 600 acres, at least 30 per cent of which is in the 100-year floodplain.

{Continue Reading »}

For Immediate Release: July 14, 2009

Prairie Rivers Network is asking Senator Roland Burris to vote for the Baucus-Klobuchar-Boxer Amendment to the Clean Water Restoration Act. This Act would reinstate protections for wetlands and streams that have been compromised over the past eight years. Before adjourning for the 4th of July recess, the Environment and Public Works Committee voted 12-7 to send the measure on to the full Senate. The Act already has the support of Senator Durbin.  {Continue Reading »}

The Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club has teamed with Ducks Unlimited to update the inventory of wetlands in the state. Ducks Unlimited (DU) is identifying wetlands from aerial photographs; they then need help in verifying their work through field visits to 2% of the identified wetlands. DU anticipates that nearly 6000 wetlands will need to be visited across the state over the next two years. Volunteers can be trained to perform these field IDs. {Continue Reading »}

The Clean Water Act 404 Program

Mallard ducks enjoying a wetland at Illinois Beach State Park

Under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, anyone who hopes to fill a wetland, channelize a stream, or otherwise fill a portion of a water with sediment, must obtain a “404 permit” from the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). The Corps must assure that each permit it issues complies with guidelines developed together by the Corps and the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The guidelines specify that a discharge of fill material into a water may not be permitted if:

• There is a practical alternative
• The discharge would cause or contribute to violation of water quality standards
• The discharge jeopardizes the existence of a threatened or endangered species
• The discharge will cause or contribute to significant degradation of waters
• Appropriate steps are not taken to minimize adverse impacts. {Continue Reading »}