March 30, 2008
John Therriault, Assistant Clerk
Illinois Pollution Control Board
100 West Randolph Street, Suite 11-500
Chicago, Illinois 60601
RE: Rule
Making R08-009
Dear Illinois Pollution Control Board:
RECEIVED
CLERK'S OFFICE
APR 0
1 2008
Pollution
_STATE OF
Control
ILLINOIS
Board
On behalf of the Chicago Rowing Foundation and the over 100-member LPJ Chicago rowing team, I am
writing to express our 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.
From mid-February
through early
November
our high school rowers spend two+ hours, six days a
week rowing on the Chicago River from our boathouse at North Avenue up to Montrose and down to
Ping Tom Park. For five months a year our adult team of rowers spends two+ hours a day, three days a
week on the River. During the summer months our summer camp rowers spend 5 hours, five days a week
on the River. We represent the most person-hours of any group spent on (and inches above) the Chicago
River. We know the "state of the river" better than anyone, and we 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 our sport as
well as for paddling and fishing.
But there is much more
to be done.
There is no magic bullet 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.
We 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,
Lynne 'nzole
President
Chicago Rowing Foundation, 20 N. Wacker Drive Suite 1930, Chicago, IL 60606
312 482-8984