James E . Schrempf

Kevin F. Blaine

Matthew W

. Kelly*

Lanny H . Darr II*

Allan L . Napp*

Christine McClimans

Also Licensed to

Practice in Missouri'

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN :

I am writing to you as a homeowner in the City of Alton and on behalf of

other similarly situated homeowners

. We own homes adjacent to the property of

Illinois American Water Company currently used for its Alton Water Treatment

Facility .

I built my home on my property approximately 19 years ago

. My next door

neighbor's home was built approximately 15 years ago

.

We both look out from

our property to a scenic view of the Mississippi River, directly over the existing

Illinois American Water Treatment Facility

.

The area between the existing

structures of the Alton water treatment facility and our homes is the area that

would be used for construction of dewatering residual lagoons and the operation of

those lagoons

. My neighbor and I, along with approximately eight to ten other

adjoining residences, will be the most directly adversely affected by the operation

of dewatering residual lagoons in our backyards

.

We are informed that the lagoon operations would include daily truck traffic

adjacent to our residences to haul away the accumulated treated residuals

. The

evidence previously presented to the Illinois Pollution Control Board, and

uncontradicted by any other evidence indicated that there could be anywhere from

two truckloads to seventeen truckloads removed each day

.

Schrempf, Blaine

Kelly, Napp & Dan Ltd.

-ATTORNEYS AT

LAW-

May 14, 2007

Illinois Pollution Control Board

Attention: Clerk

100 West Randolph Street

James R

. Thompson Center, Suite 11-500

Chicago, IL 60601-3218

Re :

AS2007-2 (Petition for Adjusted Standard)

RECEIVEDCLERK'S

OFFICE

MAY 1 6 2007

STATE OF ILLINOIS

Pollution Control Board

Of Counsel:

Philip B . Alfeld**

Also Licensed to

Practice in

Alabama-

307 Henry Street, Suite 415 •

PO Box 725 •

Alton, Illinois 62002 • Ph: 618 .465 .2311 Fax

:

618.465.2318

---

In addition to the truck traffic, obviously there will need to be heavy equipment on

the site loading the trucks. By our agreement with the water company, Illinois

American has graded, seeded and maintained the acreage which otherwise would

be used for the lagoons and truck traffic in native prairie grasses

. The maintenance

of the acreage by Illinois American has created a beautiful, tranquil area that my

neighbors and I have all have grown to appreciate and enjoy . In addition, all kinds

of birds and animals have made that area their home or hunting grounds.

I also happen to serve as attorney for the City of Alton and the Village of

Godfrey.

As such, I was asked to review the previous orders of the Illinois

Pollution Control Board entered September 7, 2000, and October 19, 2000 .

Obviously, a great deal of thought went into the formation of both Orders

. I am

not used to reading such decisions in my practice, but I was very impressed by the

detailed analysis of the facts behind those decisions of the Pollution Control Board .

The final decisions appear to be well reasoned and in the best interest of everyone .

While it is clear that the Pollution Control Board stated that the adjusted standards

granted Illinois American Water Company would expire in 2007, it appears clear

to me that the Pollution Control Board and all of the parties involved intended that

those adjusted standards would continue to be accepted if the goals behind the

adoption of those standards were met between the decision of 2000 and the

expiration of the adjusted standards in 2007

. From what I understand, the goals

behind the adjusted standards have not only been met by Illinois American Water

and the Great Rivers Land Trust, they have been substantially exceeded

.

I am advised and it appears to be true from review of the Orders of 2000 that

the original goal was to achieve a sediment reduction flowing into the Mississippi

River of 2 to 1 . That is, the reduced sediment achieved by the efforts of the Great

Rivers Land Trust should have reduced sediment from the Piasa Creek and other

tributaries going to the Mississippi River by twice the amount of sediment and

other materials going back into the Mississippi River from the new Alton Water

Treatment Facility . From all I can gather, the Great Rivers Land Trust and Illinois

American Water were successful in reaching a nearly 4 to 1 ratio of reduced

sediment compared to materials going back into the River from the new Alton

Water Treatment Facility .

I find it incredible and against logic that the Illinois EPA now takes the

position that the adjusted standards should no longer be applicable for the Alton

Water Treatment Facility and that all of the good work previously done shall not

be accepted as a final resolution of the issue presented .

---

This program has worked beautifully

. Such plans should be encouraged and not

discouraged by the State of Illinois

.

We do not want to lose the natural habitat adjacent to our residences by the

creation of an operational lagoon facility

. We do not want the additional noise and

potential odors emanating from such a facility

. In addition, we are all proud to live

along the Great River Road which has been declared a Scenic Byway of the United

States by the Federal Highway Administration

. Furthermore, that Great River

Road has recently been named one of the "Seven Wonders of Illinois" by the

Illinois Bureau of Tourism

. Why in the world would we want to encourage heavy

truck traffic along that Great River Road? It is the only point of access from the

Alton Water Treatment Facility to or from any landfills . Truck traffic to and from

the Alton Water Treatment Facility now is minimal

. With a lagoon system, it

would be substantial and would be a detriment to the Great River Road . All that

truck traffic would also have to pass over a well established and heavily used bike

trail that follows the northern edge of the Great River Road, essentially between

the road and the Alton Water Treatment Facility .

Furthermore, the City of Alton, with assistance from State and Federal

funding sources, has established a new Piasa Park along the Great River

. That

Piasa Park includes a new Piasa Bird painted on the face of the limestone bluffs

.

The painting was done by a cooperative effort of volunteers from throughout the

community

. The new park is established, with restroom facilities, at that location

.

Piasa park also includes parking, which is utilized by people not only enjoying the

park, but bringing their bikes to the bike trail . The truck traffic would actually

enter and exit through the Piasa Park and its parking facilities . This is a horrible

development, if it is required to occur, and will substantially interfere with the

ambiance, safety and use of the new City park .

As a homeowner, and on behalf of other homeowners and citizens of Alton

and Godfrey, I beseech the Illinois Pollution Control Board to extend or make

permanent the adjusted standards approved by its Orders of September 7, 2000,

and October 19, 2000, in this matter .

JES :ll

---

cc:

Mayor Donald E . Sandidge

Mayor Michael J . Campion

Senator William Haine

Representative Daniel Beiser

Mr. and Mrs. Richard McGuire

Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Eckhard

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Utterback

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher L

. Kienstra

Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur J. Kienstra

Mr. and Mrs

. Gene Crivello

Mrs. Thomas Hutchinson

Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hutchinson

Cynthia M . Hebenstreit, Director, Environmental Management Am . Water

Tracy D. Elzemeyer, Corporate Counsel for American Water

Terry Mackin, Regional DirectorNP External Affairs for American Water

Thomas Andryk, Division of Legal Counsel for Illinois EPA

Bradley S . Hiles of Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP

Alison M. Nelson of Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP