on Tevonian
Dee Tevonian
John Therriault, Assistant Clerk
Illinois Pollution Control Board
100 West Randolph Street, Suite 11-500
Chicago, Illinois 60601
June 4, 2008
RE: Rule Making R08-009
Dear Illinois Pollution Control Board:
RECEIVED
LERK's OFF/ CE
JUN 0 6
2008
STATE OF ILLINOIS
Pollution Control
Board
qs
We are 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.
From our residence overlooking the river at Wolf Point we regularly see active and growing use of our
river for a variety of purposes. Individuals should be able use the river for kayaking, sail boating, or
canoeing without being vulnerable to diseases. A thriving and diverse community of wildlife, including
fish, birds, and mammals, is essential to the health of the river.
Accordingly we urge support of the following:
•
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District must disinfect sewage treatment plant effluent to
kill bacteria and protect public health.
•
Temperature and dissolved oxygen standards must be implemented to protect fish and help them
flourish.
The City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District, and suburbs like Blue Island and Skokie have poured
millions into river access for paddling, fishing, and crew. And so 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.
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 or all-in-one measure that can eliminate water pollution. However 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. As stewards of these natural resources, we
should not be seeking the minimum in improvement, but the maximum.
Thank you,
333 N. Canal St. #2404
Chicago IL 60606
312-798-6850