Local: Will new islands help the Illinois River?
All I’ve been hearing for decades is that that the condition of the Illinois River is so bad that before long, we’ll be able to wade across the river underneath the Murray Baker Bridge. Well, that’s an exaggeration, but you get the point.
Now comes news that U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood has is guaranteeing President Bush will sign a bill that gives the U.S. Corps of Engineers nearly $24 billion, of which $16 million to build three big islands that would be located on the east side fo the river near East Peoria in the lower Peoria Lake.
In the short term, they’ll fight sediment choking the Illinois River by speeding its current through the lower lake, and by dredging 1½ million cubic yards of mud to build the islands and create deep-water basins around them.
In the long run, the islands – first conceived 20 years ago – “will be the keystone of a series of projects to build a diversionary channel” along the river’s east banks from the McClugage Bridge to Farm Creek, state-based scientist Bill White said Friday.
First, I’m not exactly clear on exactly where Farm Creek is located. No doubt my readers will point it out.
Second, this doesn’t address the major source of the sediment, which I understand to be agricultural land. Another is runoff from deforested bluffs north of the city toward Chillicothe.
Third, what sort of commercial development is planned for these islands, Indian casinos? Seriously, who will own the islands after the are done? Into what city, county, township, etc. will these islands belong?
Fourth, the bill might be veto proof. But there’s no telling what sort of fuss groups like the Sierra Club will make, including lawsuits and restraining orders. They might even invent a new species — the Illinois River Flying Carp, perhaps — and claim that these islands would endanger the precious darlings.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
