November 14, 2008
John Therriault,
Assistant Clerk
Illinois Pollution Control Board
Chicago
100 WestIllinois
Randolph
60601
Street, Suite
11-500
\“
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NOV
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OF
ILLINOIS
RE:
Rule
Making R08-009
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tlOn
Board
Dear Illinois Pollution Control Board:
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.
I share with friends a great deal of recreational time in
the
parks
and along the trails that lie alongside
the
Chicago River, and enjoy frequent canoe trips on the North Branch,
the South Branch, and the main
stem
of the
river. For the health of
future recreational users on the river, 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.
Because a review like this only comes along every 20 years, 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.
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,
Gerry J Bakker
1415 W
Oakdale Avenue, #1
Chicago,
Illinois 60657-4118
773-935-9435
/ 312-351-2073
gerrbakk@hotmail.com