RPG Releases Water Quality Report

By Bob Barbieri

The River Prairie Group released its latest report on the quality of streams in DuPage County. The report, “DuPage County’s Rivers--A System on the Mend,” illustrates water quality monitoring done by the group and puts it in context of other work in DuPage River and Salt Creek watersheds and the rest of the state of Illinois.

Photo by Bob Barbieri

The study shows that water quality in DuPage County streams continues to reflect the urbaniza­tion of the county. In particular, monitoring shows elevated levels of nitrate and phosphate. These nutrients come from fertilizer runoff and discharge from wastewater facilities. The nutrients feed algae and aquatic plants which cause low levels of dissolved oxy­gen or big fluxes in dissolved oxygen, which are detrimental to aquatic life. The group also found chloride levels that often violate national aquatic life criteria because of road salt use in the wintertime. Additionally, the report summarizers the work done by state, county, and municipalities to improve water quality. Finally, the report highlights the work done by the DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup, in conjunction with several DuPage County agencies and municipalities, to increase the health of the waterways through river habitat restoration. One of the best methods of river habitat restoration is through dam modification or removal. 

The RPG river monitoring network is one of a number of Sierra Club Water Sentinel groups in Illinois. Water Sentinels work to protect, improve, and restore our waters by fostering alliances to promote water quality monitoring, public education, and citizen action. The group’s river monitoring network is entirely volunteer-run, and this report is a result of over a decade of monitoring and involve­ment in local environmental planning efforts.

The report is important for the volunteer water collectors and testers because it gives meaning to the data so they are not just a bunch of numbers generated month after month. Collectors get up at the crack of dawn on Saturday mornings, rain, snow, or shine, and drop a bucket over the bridge then deliver the samples to the tester for analysis. The report puts problems in the spotlight, honoring the volunteers' contribution.

Photo by Bob Barbieri

The report highlights St. Joseph Creek, a tributary of the East Branch of the DuPage River, noting its low nutrient levels, which are seldom observed throughout the rest of the watershed. The group says that its excellent water quality would make it a perfect candidate for restoration. It also notes that St. Joseph Creek and other streams often have high levels of Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons, which come from coal-tar based road sealants and are carcinogenic. The report recommends a ban on toxic sealants as well as a ban on phosphorus-containing fertilizers and suggests increasing vegetative buffers and more Green infrastructure to protect DuPage County waterways from pollution. There is still much work to be done at the federal, state, and local level to improve water quality in Illinois and downstream in the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.

Collectors:

Jane Foulser (collector trainer), Shannon Burns (collector trainer), Joe Dick, Patti Schiewe, Keven Clower, Judy Toth, Karen Tredinnick, Chris Cyrsler, Dennis Clark, George Gibson III, Jessica Klaibor, Melinda Keith-Singleton, Jill Spealman, Celestia Boughner, Jane Keefe, and Dave Wilderman

Testers:

Bob Barbieri (program administrator), Bonnie Blake (co-administrator), Mary Ann Ciesla (monitoring assistant), Kate LaGory, Linda Volin, Luke Novak, John Zelasco, Jon Shuptar, Alison LaBarge, Kathleen Fischer, and John Cooper

The report can be found at the RPG Web Site: DuPage County Rivers.

River Prairie Group Supports the Virtual CEJA Lobby Day

By Connie Schmidt

No doubt many of you now reading these words were among the 1000 folks who signed up to lobby for CEJA, The Clean Energy Jobs Act, on November 12. There were exactly 1000 because the registration system could handle no more, and they shut down after that number! Incredible! Last year we were blown away with the busses from across the state bringing crowds to the capital that totaled around 700.  CEJA is even more important now, as evidenced by the turnout this year. 

The official rally lasted only a little over 30 minutes with elected officials in attendance, a very creative DJ knitting the speakers together with introductions, and people from frontline communities testifying to the importance of this legislation for their quality of lives and their communities. It was inspirational, indeed.

The real work happened in smaller individual lobby meetings planned by local captains who scheduled time with their senators and representatives. Many of the groups had 25-30 participants signed up to all demonstrate the powerful constituency that wants CEJA to pass soon. The captains set up individual virtual events with the officials and guided the discussion and questions for these meetings. 

Sadly, on the day of the big rally, it was declared that there would be no veto session. Hope was not extinguished for this enthusiastic crew, as a lame duck session may take place in January prior to the swearing in of the new session.

For anyone out there who is not familiar with CEJA, it is daunting at over 900 pages. This bill has been revised several times and is now referred to as the 4.0 version. Some of the important features to mention in this revision are:

• Utility Accountability ~ Bold new ethics requirements and consumer protection with increased transparency for both lobbyists and legislators.
• Economic Recovery ~ JOBS! Perfect for the economic recovery that is craved in all parts of our state. Included as well is a “Workers Bill of Rights” that insists on a fair transition for coal plant employees with job training and other protections from arriving at work to a padlocked gate.
• Racial and Environmental Justice ~ People from marginalized communities impacted by coal plant pollution are prioritized for Workforce training, and businesses owned by local residents and people of color are given incentives.
• Climate Change Action ~ This bill includes energy efficiency, gas inventory for efficiency, transportation infrastructure for EVs, and electrified public transportation, among many other features to address reducing the carbon footprint of the people of IL, thus helping to mitigate the Climate Crisis in our state.

So, if you are inclined, you may continue with lobbying by joining our effort to phone Governor Pritzker’s office every Thursday at 855-980-5638, and ask that CEJA be moved upon as quickly as possible. Sign up here for reminder emails. If you have questions on CEJA, you can contact Connie Schmidt at 630-234-3029 or twnstr111@msn.com and she will try to get the answers for you. 

Riding In and About DuPage with Ryan

By Connie Schmidt 

We’re BAAAAAACK, as they say! Programs with the RPG will begin again with 2021, so mark your calendars now for Sunday January 17 at 2:00 pm for our first one. It will be even easier to join us with Zoom from the comfort of your own home. Of course, we will miss seeing our friends in person, but we will love having community once again virtually.  Register here

Our kick-off program will be a presentation by Ryan Kadolph, a self-proclaimed “trail blazer,” discoverer, and adventurer who photographs and rides in and about DuPage. Ryan’s fabulous photos and story first came to light when he was featured by the Forest Preserve of DuPage County in their segment “Catching Nature: People enjoying Nature.” He combines his love of music with riding, enhancing his experience. According to Ryan, Lord Huron, an indie folk/rock group from LA, is especially inspirational in nature and perfect for biking and hiking.

Ryan lives in Glen Ellyn and can walk to downtown Glen Ellyn but can see the sign “Welcome to Wheaton” from his neighborhood, as well. He has easy access to the trail system via the Illinois Prairie Path and is also intimately familiar with the Great Western Trail. When Ryan got a new (used) car, the first addition was a bike rack so he could get out and explore as many different trails as possible. He gradually ventured on longer rides, intrigued with an interest in going further and exploring the side trails. He recommends the All Trails App as a great way to discover possibilities hidden in your own neighborhood.

Photography is a huge component of Ryan’s love for being out and about.  Landscape views are a favorite, and believe it or not, a video game opened that door for him. You will have to join the program to hear his backstory on that. 

Ryan explains that he has always been a biker, but now has more gratitude than ever for nature because the COVID-19 experience has driven him outdoors. He likes trying to see the good in a tough situation like the pandemic. “So many more people are out walking and biking and enjoying the outdoors together, on the trails and forest preserves,” he observed. 

Ryan went on to explain that he once heard that we have “one life and one world.” To him, this saying meant that he was obligated to share his beautiful experiences with others. He has formed a community on Facebook, sharing videos, music, and fabulous landscape photography with his followers.

Use the link below to sign up for this adventurous trek as Ryan leads us in and about DuPage County trails.  Register here

Photos by Ryan Kadolph

Salt Creek Wins!

By Deanna Doohaluk

On October 6, 2020, in a 5-2 vote, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County (FPDDC) Board of Commissioners voted to allow the DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup (DRSCW) to implement the Master Plan for Salt Creek at Fullersburg Woods. The Concept Master Plan includes the removal of the Graue Mill dam, intensive stream restoration along 1.2 miles of Salt Creek, and addition of recreational and educational amenities at the Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve. The work will also include provisions to maintain the mill’s raceway and power the waterwheel. 

Image courtesy of DRSCW

The DRSCW would like to thank the River Prairie Group of the Illinois Sierra Club for your support and tireless efforts in getting this project approved. Your emails, phone calls, and public comments to the FPDDC played a huge part in obtaining the FPDDC support of the Master Plan. 

The next step will be the selection of a professional firm to prepare the bid packet for the project. Construction is planned for 2022. Track the progress of the DRSCW’s work on the implementation of the Master Plan at RestoreSaltCreek.org.

Deanna Doohaluk is the Watershed project manager for the DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup