RECEIVED
    ~
    CLERK’S
    QFFTC’F
    June
    14,
    2003
    JU~
    i~1b2003
    STATE
    OF
    iLLINoIS
    Ms Marie E. Tipsord
    Pollution Con
    trol Board
    Hearing Officer, Illinois Pollution Control Board
    100W.
    Randolph St.,
    Suite 11-500
    Chicago, Illinois 60601
    Re:
    Public Comment on R03-19
    Dear Ms. Tipsord,
    As an Illinois citizen concerned about the conditions of the streams, lakes, and rivers of the state,
    I am
    glad for the opportunity to express my thoughts about public involvement in the National Pollution
    Discharge Elimination System(NPDES) permit process now being revised.
    Public involvement is the
    key ingredient for a strong, workable
    permitting system because
    it
    creates, in one word,
    understanding.
    With
    understanding the system has a much better chance of success.
    The Clean
    Water Act(CWA) of 1972
    encourages such participation.
    To discourage caring citizens from
    involvement at any point in the NPDES permit system
    would be terribly discouraging as
    it
    would
    separate the citizens of Illinois from their responsibility as
    rood
    citizens.
    My hopes are raised as our great state of Illinois adopts improved controls needed to protect its waters
    from pollution.
    Citizens should be allowed and encouraged to
    fully
    participate in the permitting
    process.
    Make the rules clear, fair and
    just
    so they can be enforced by both the Agency and public
    involvement for all our sakes.
    Margaret A. Mitchell

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