Media Release

February 23, 2000: This week Illinois EPA acted to protect some of the state’s most threatened streams from increased levels of pollutants. The move was hailed by clean water advocates from around the state including Prairie Rivers Network, the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club, and Friends of the Fox River.

Along the Fox River the Agency restricted the amount of pollution which Island Lake Sanitary District was allowed to release. This included more stringent limits on the discharge of ammonia and fecal coliform.
Also, dischargers to nineteen other high quality streams throughout the state, among them tributaries to the Mackinaw, Des Plaines, and Vermilion Rivers, will have to restrict the amount of ammonia they release. Ammonia can be toxic to fish and mussels and is a nutrient which can contribute to harmful algae blooms.

The Island Lake Sanitary District currently discharges its treated sewage into a section of the Fox River which has high levels of fecal coliform, harmful bacteria that can pose a threat to human health. Sometimes the amount of fecal coliform in the river exceeds the state’s water quality standard.

In an agreement worked out by Prairie Rivers Network, Friends of the Fox River and Illinois EPA, Island Lake will voluntarily cut the amount of fecal coliform they release almost in half, thereby helping achieve water quality standards and minimizing the environmental impact on the Fox River. Island Lake will also meet more stringent limits for the amount of ammonia they release.

"We’re very pleased that Illinois EPA is taking action to protect the Fox River," said Robert Moore, Executive Director of Prairie Rivers Network, a statewide river conservation group based in Champaign.

"Illinois EPA definitely made the right decision," according to Cindy Skrukrud, President of Friends of the Fox River. "As the population of the Fox River Valley continues to grow, we need to minimize the impact we have on the river in order to keep it clean and healthy so this area remains an attractive place to live and visit."

Nineteen other streams around the state, many of which are home to threatened and endangered species, will also receive increased protections. At the request of Prairie Rivers Network and other river conservation groups Illinois EPA reviewed several water pollution permits they had issued in the past two years and decided that more protective measures were appropriate.

"Releases of ammonia have been a major issue for the past couple of years. Illinois EPA’s decision to limit the release of this toxic pollutant is a step forward in efforts to protect our rivers," said Moore.

Jack Darin, Director of the Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter, added, "We are pleased to see the Ryan administration taking these water pollution problems more seriously, and taking action to protect our rivers and streams."

The nineteen streams that will receive increased protections from ammonia discharges are:

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