John Therriault - Fwd: UAA support letter
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Page 1
From:
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Marie Tipsord
To:
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John Therriault
Date:
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6/13/2008 9:50:29 AM
Subject:
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Fwd: UAA support letter
John, please enter this as a public comment
thanks
Marie
>>> Tim Philosophos <ttphilo@earthlink.net> 6/13/2008 9:01 AM >>>
June 13, 2008
UAA SUPPORT LETTER
John Therriault, Assistant Clerk
Illinois Pollution Control Board
100 West Randolph Street, Suite 11-500
Chicago, Illinois 606
RE
CLERK'S
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OFFICE
ED
JUN
13 202
STATE OF ILLINOIS
Pollution Control Board
Pc-
RE: Rule Makin
Dear Illinois Pollution Control Board:
I am writing to express my 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.
As a paddle sport enthusiast, 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 government
s
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 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 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.
Thank you,