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June 27, 2000
The Honorable Governor George H. Ryan
Dear Governor Ryan: On June 15th and 16th I attended the Gulf of Mexico/Mississippi River Basin Watershed Nutrient Task Force’s meeting in St. Louis, Missouri. At that meeting the Task Force presented its draft action plan for reducing nutrient levels in the Mississippi River basin and the Gulf of Mexico. We request that Illinois support the recommended goals. Among these was a numerical goal for reducing nutrient levels reaching the Gulf of Mexico. Illinois’ representative to the Task Force staunchly opposed any numerical goal for limiting nutrient levels. Many other states, including Iowa, Missouri, and Arkansas, followed Illinois’ lead and also opposed a numerical goal. As proposed, the numerical goal is not a binding agreement. It is simply a goal which, in good faith, states should aspire to achieve in the foreseeable future. The goal, if agreed to, would not only benefit efforts to restore the Gulf but would also help address the problems Illinois has with nutrients. According to Illinois EPA over 500 lakes and streams are impaired by nutrient pollution including several Illinois drinking water supplies. Just this week, the City of Danville began offering free bottled water to its customers because of annual violations of the nitrate drinking water standard. This is just one example of nutrient problems in Illinois, but it illustrates the need to commit to reducing nutrient levels in Illinois waters. State representatives to the Task Force concluded the meeting in St. Louis with a commitment to establishing an appropriate goal. We ask that you direct Illinois’ representative to the Task Force to support a numerical goal for nutrient reduction for the sake of Illinois’ waters if not for the Gulf of Mexico. Prairie Rivers and those organizations signing our earlier letter of June 13th are still interested in meeting with you and your staff to discuss Illinois’ problems with nutrient-based pollution. Please notify us when such a meeting might be feasible. Sincerely,
Robert J. Moore
Cc: Lt. Governor Corinne Wood
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