Representative Ammons and Senator Bennett introduce bills to protect Mahomet Aquifer
We are excited that freshmen lawmakers Representative Carol Ammons and Senator Scott Bennett have introduced bills to protect the Mahomet Aquifer from pollution. Specifically, materials containing high levels of PCBs and manufactured gas plant waste would be prohibited in landfills located above the aquifer. The legislation is aimed at preventing Clinton Landfill from moving forward on its plans to accept these two toxic chemicals. The Mahomet Aquifer is an irreplaceable resource, providing drinking water to over 500,000 residents in 14 counties in east-central Illinois.
TAKE ACTION – check out the list of sponsors for House Bill 1326 and Senate Bill 1698. If your legislators are not already sponsors, ask them to be by calling their district offices!
In related news, USEPA is still evaluating the petition to designate the Mahomet Aquifer as a sole source water supply. We are unclear why it is taking so long, but it appears the agency is going through the petition with a fine-tooth comb. Because of this delay, Rep. Ammons has also introduced a resolution that urges the USEPA to issue the designation; the Illinois legislature has not voted on the resolution yet.
