John Therriault, Assistant Clerk
Illinois Pollution Control Board
100 West Randolph Street, Suite 11-500
Chicago, IL 60601
Best regards,
Greg Borz
5519 N. Spaulding
Chicago, IL 60625
work: 312-665-7106; home: 773-478-1785
August 2, 2008
RECEIVED
CLERK'S OFFICE
AUG
0 2008
Pollution
STATE OF
Control
ILLINOIS
Board
RE: Rule Making R08-009
Dear Illinois Pollution Control Board:
Please support 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.
I canoe on the river, bike along the river, and take walks along the river. More importantly, I am a citizen
of Chicago and feel responsible to improve the quality of the river and all our water systems for our
children, future residents, Olympic visitors, plants and animals, etc. These changes are long overdue.
Please support the Illinois EPA's effort and approve the changes.
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.
Over the years, the entire CAWS system has changed dramatically. The water, once full of raw sewage
and industrial filth, has vastly improved through the leadership of agencies like the Metropolitan Water
Reclamation District and its Tunnel and Reservoir Plan. Public access has increased considerably as local
governments incorporated these rivers into their master planning. The City of Chicago, the Chicago Park
District, and suburbs like Blue Island and Skokie have poured millions into river access for paddling,
fishing, and crew. And so much work has been done to improve habitat and control pollution that in the
Chicago River system, species of fish have climbed from under 10 to nearly 70, including game fish
favorites like large-mouth bass and bluegill and yellow perch.
A review like this only comes along every 20 years, so right now we have a once-in-a-generation
opportunity to continue our momentum by supporting the Illinois EPA recommendations so we can make
the next quantum leap forward in water quality. Disinfection and the rest of the Illinois EPA's
recommendations are essential.
Water resources are more important than ever. As a society it is our 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.