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Barbara G. Figler

1167 Heather Lane * Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137

630-627-6433

630-935-6433 – Cell

John Therriault, Assistant Clerk

Illinois Pollution Control Board

100 West Randolph Street, Suite 11-500

Chicago, Illinois 60601

RECEIVED

APR 0 1 2008

Board

RE: Rule Making R08-009

Dear Illinois Pollution Control 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.

These 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 an Illinois resident and paddler, 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.

I did a paddle on the River this summer ... first time on the River since boating with my dad as a kid. He must

have threatened my brothers and me really good about going through the locks and not messing around, because

30+ years later, I envisioned myself falling in and becoming green, radioactive (remember the bomb air-raids at

the Chicago schools in the 50s and 60s?) and covered with poop. As a young adult, I visited San Antonio for the

first time (my favorite city next to Chicago) and wondered why we didn't take advantage of the natural resource of

our River like they've done with their River Walk.

I'm told that a review like this only comes along every 20 years. If that's correct, then we have a once-in-a-

generation opportunity to continue the cleaning of our river by supporting the Illinois EPA recommendations,

which can 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.

Thank you,

Barbara Gallo-Figler