FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF WILL COUNTY

17540 W. LARAWAY ROAD

JOLIET, ILLINOIS 60433

PHONE (815) 727-8700

FAX

?

(815) 722-3608

KERRY SHERIDAN, President

JIM BLACKBURN, Vice President

LEE ANN GOODSON, Secretary

RONALD SVARA, Treasurer

MARCELLA M. DeMAURO, Executive Director

February 6, 2008

Mr. John Therriault

Assistant Clerk

Illinois Pollution Control Board

100 West Randolph Street, Suite 11-500

Chicago, Illinois 60601

Re: Rule Making R08-009

Water Quality Standard Improvement

Lower DesPlaines River

Dear Mr. Therriault:

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CLERK'S OFFICE

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FEB 0 8 2008

Pollution

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The Forest Preserve District of Will County is in full support of the Illinois

Environmental Protection Agency's proposed tightening of the water quality standards

for the lower DesPlaines River in Will County. The District owns or manages eight

Preserves on the River that are open to the public, totaling 2,150 acres (over 10% of our

entire holdings). The following Preserves (presented from north to south) would benefit

from improved water quality standards and protection:

Keepetaw Preserve,

216 acres

Riparian and wetland habitat restoration and management in the floodplain.

Planned public biking and hiking trail and river crossing.

Romeoville Prairie Nature Preserve,

317 acres

Dedicated state nature preserve.

Riparian and wetland habitat restoration and management in the floodplain.

Isle a la Cache Museum,

95 acres

Public canoeing, fishing and water-based historic interpretation and natural

resource education programs and events.

Public hiking/education trail.

Riparian, wetland and floodplain forest habitat.

Centennial Trail,

405 acres

Public biking and hiking trail, and fishing.

Riparian and wetland habitat.

RECYCLED

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RECYCLABLE

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Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve,

269 acres

Dedicated state nature preserve.

Riparian and wetland habitat restoration and management.

Public hiking/education trail and fishing.

Joliet Iron Works,

52 acres

Public hiking and education trail.

Rock Run Rookery,

218 acres

Riparian, lake and wetland restoration and management proposed.

Mixed-use rookery management.

Planned public trails, boating and fishing.

McKinley Woods,

545 acres

Riparian, floodplain forest, and wetland habitat restoration and management.

Public trails, canoeing and fishing.

The District's motto is "bringing people and nature together." Improving water quality

standards on Will County's primary water-way will help preserve this highly valued

resource, and compliment and assist the District's habitat restoration and management

efforts, and protect public health and safety. Will County is one of the fastest growing

counties in the nation; the rapidly escalating demand for public access to the river and for

increased recreational and educational opportunities will result in a commensurate

increase in public exposure to the river's water.

If the District can be of any further assistance to the Pollution Control Board's

deliberations, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Executive Director