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PD. BOX 9 - DUNDEE, IL 60118

(847) 741-8000

September 3, 2002

Ms. Dorothy M. Gunn

Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control Board

100 West Randolph, Suite 11-500

Chicago, IL 60601

Re: The July 25, 2002 hearing before the Illinois Pollution Control Board (docket number R02- 11).

Dear Ms. Gunn:

My name is Victor J. Santucci, Jr. and I am writing to comment on the above stated hearing.

I have a Master of Science degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, hold a Certified Fisheries

Scientist certification from the American Fisheries Society, and have been working as a fisheries biologist for the

past 17 years. The Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation has employed me as a Fisheries Research Biologist for the

past 11 years.

I have recently completed fieldwork for an extensive study of the effects of low-head dams on the Fox River in

Illinois. The study is entitled, “The Fox River Fish Passage Feasibility Study” and it is funded by the Max McGraw

Wildlife Foundation and the Illinois Department ofNatural Resources through the Conservation 2000 Ecosystem

Program. The U.S. EPA and Illinois EPA provided in-kind support.

It has been brought to my attention that a preliminary summary of results of the Fox River study was previously

submitted as evidence supporting substandard dissolved oxygen concentrations in the-Fox River, Illinois. The data

from this study show that substandard dissolved oxygen concentrations occurred in 9-of 11 impoundments created

by low-head dams in the river. In contrast, dissolved oxygen in natural flowing reaches generally remained above

the 5 mg/L minimum standard. Substandard dissolved oxygen occurred during summer low flowperiods in August

and September 2001. These data suggest that substandard dissolved oxygen conditions nGt only exist in the Fox

River, but that they can be widespread during the summer months. I have no comment regarding the implications of

these data on the need to revise minimum dissolved oxygen standards in Illinois. A fmal report detailing the effects

ofdams on fish, invertebrates, habitat, and water quality should be available in November 2002.

Thank you for accepting this clarification to the hearing record.

Sincerely,

Victor J. Santucci, Jr.

Fisheries Research Biologist