GENERAL ASSEMBLY
STATE OF ILLINOIS
COMMITTEES:
REGISTRATION & REGULATION –
MINORITY SPOKESPERSON
HEALTH & HEALTHCARE DISPARITIES
MINORITY SPOKESPERSON
APPROPRIATIONS-HUMAN SERVICES
APPROPRIATIONS
ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY EDUCATION
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
HUMAN SERVICES
MEMBER:
SR. PHARMACEUTICAL ASSISTANCE
REVIEW COMMITTEE
ILLINOIS IMMIGRANTS & REFUGEES
TASK FORCE
EARLY LEARNING COMMISSION
ILLINOIS CHILDRENS MENTAL HEALTH
PARTNERSHIP
Elizabeth CoulsoinEcEiVED
CLERK'S
OFFICE
MAY 1 9 2008
'ollutton
STATE
OF
Control
ILLINOISBoard
CAPITOL OFFICE:
220-N STRATTON BLDG.
SPRINGFIELD, IL 62706
217/782-4194
DISTRICT OFFICE:
3801 W. LAKE AVE.
GLENVIEW, IL 60026
847/724-3233
847/724-8682 FAX
Email: coulson@earthlink.net
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
17TH DISTRICT
May 16, 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' PoillutiOn Control Boar'd:
I am writing to
express my support for the recommended water quality standard improvements proposed
by the Illinois EPA foilM`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.
As a legislator who has worked on environmental and water quality issues for many years, 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
.goVernmentsiriCoilicirated 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,
arid ereW;And s'o 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.
RECYCLED PAPER • SOYBEAN INKS
John Therriault
May 16, 2008
Page 2
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.
Sincerely,
A
i(t
A ‘ '----
Elizabeth Coulson
State Representative