Thank you,
6
Kelly Dougherty
8 W. Monroe
#909
Chicago, IL 60603
(773) 401-3293
March 26, 2008
John Therriault, Assistant Clerk
Illinois Pollution Control Board
100 West Randolph Street, Suite 11-500
Chicago, Illinois 60601
RE: Rule Making R08-009
Dear Illinois Pollution Control Board:
RECEIVED
CLERK'S OFFICE
MAR "i 8
2008
OF
ILLINOIS
1ontrol
Board
On behalf of my family, I am writing to express my support for the recommended water quality standard
improvements proposed by the Illinois EPA for the Chicago Area Waterways (CAWS) and Lower Des
Plaines River as rule making R08-009.
My family is committed to improving water quality in the CAWS. In fact, we are in the process of
installing a green roof on our condominium building to help reduce stormwater runoff, thereby reduce the
occurrences of
combined
sewer overflows. This green roof endeavor is a considerable expense to our
condominium association, but we are willing to do what we can.
We
hope the Illinois Pollution Control
Board has the same level of commitment to improving water quality.
These proposed changes are long overdue and recommended only after five years of study on the CAWS
and seven on the Lower Des Plaines. We should all support the Illinois EPA's effort and approve the
changes.
As a downtown Chicago resident, I think it is critical that:
•
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District disinfect sewage treatment plant effluent to kill
bacteria and protect public health and
•
Temperature and dissolved oxygen standards be implemented to protect fish and help them
flourish.
Because a review like this only comes along every 20 years, right now we have a once-in-a-generation
opportunity to make the next quantum leap forward in water quality.
There is no magic bullet and or all-in-one measure that can eliminate water pollution but we know that if
we want the Chicago River to continue to improve and serve our communities as a recreational, natural
and
economic
resource, disinfection and the rest of the Illinois EPA's recommendations are essential.
I believe that as
a
society it is our moral obligation to ensure that we work to achieve the highest potential
for shared resources, including and especially water. And as stewards of these natural resources, we
should not be seeking the minimum in improvement, but the maximum.