|
|
|
|
Media ReleaseIEPA Actions Help Protect Little Vermilion River -- but other threats still loomChampaign, October 25, 2000: The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has made a tentative decision to restrict the amount of pollution released by the City of Georgetown's sewage treatment plant.This week the IEPA public noticed a water pollution permit that will restrict the amount of pollution that the City of Georgetown's sewage treatment plant can release to the Little Vermilion River. Prairie Rivers Network applauded the Agency for their efforts to protect the Little Vermilion River and the willingness of the City of Georgetown to voluntarily accept the more stringent pollution limits. This is the third action IEPA has taken to protect the Little Vermilion River in the past two years. Previously IEPA halted plans to enlarge a reservoir on the Little Vermilion and also made DynaChem, a Vermilion County manufacturer, cut back on the pollution it released to the river. But it remains to be seen how IEPA will act on the most serious threat yet to the Little Vermilion River -- the proposed Vermilion Grove Coal Mine. The mine threatens the Little Vermilion River and Lake Georgetown, which serves as a drinking water supply for nearby communities. The proposed mine also puts a downstream nature preserve, and the habitat of three state protected species at risk. "We're glad the IEPA has again acted to protect the Little Vermilion River," said Robert Moore, Executive Director of Prairie Rivers Network. "We can only hope they'll help protect the river from the proposed mine." | |