Please write your support of Horner River Project

Update – Sept. 30, 2013
Comment Period Ends: 10/29/2013**

Comment Period Ends: 10/29/2013

Last Thursday night the Horner Park Advisory Council presented our case for proceeding with USACE’s riverfront restoration to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources who decide on the permit application for the project. We remain resolute in the conviction that this project will benefit plants, wildlife and future generations of Chicagoans.

This restoration project was conceived nearly fifteen years ago in response to a number of problems that persist to this day. The objective of this plan was, and still is, to stabilize the riverbank, enhance wildlife habitat, store stormwater runoff, replant native plant species, create recreational opportunities, improve public access, and open views from the park toward the river. USACE’s latest plan addresses these major objectives and is worthy of our support.

We heard opponents of this plan voice their concern about endangered species, use of herbicides, maintenance of the new landscape, and IL DNR’s meeting notification procedures. HPAC believes that these issues should be and can be addressed by the parties responsible for the design and regulatory oversight. We look forward to the day that this project can finally be realized, and we wish for a successful conclusion that will benefit everybody that enjoys Horner Park.

**Because the permit approval phase is still underway, it is urgent that you help us by voicing your support for the project. Please write an email to the following people to voice your support for the Horner Park Riverfront Restoration project:

Marc Miller – Illinois Department of Natural Resources: marc.miller@illinois.gov
James Casey – Illinois Department of Natural Resources: James.Casey@illinois.gov

Col. Drummond – US Army Corps of Engineers: Frederic.A.Drummond@usace.army.mil
Mike Kelly – Chicago Park District: Mike.Kelly@chicagoparkdistrict.com

Please also cc the following people:

Mayor Rahm Emanuel: mayor.emanuel@cityofchicago.org
Alderman Deb Mell: alderman@33rdward.org
Alderman Ameya Pawar: info@chicago47.org
Robert Becker – Congressman Quigley’s Office: RobertC.Becker@mail.house.gov
Mike Daly – Senator Durbin’s Office: Michael_Daly@durbin.senate.gov
Gary Jereb – Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Gary.Jereb@Illinois.gov

For further information go to the links below:

Illinois Federal Consistency Register

Comment Period Ends: 10/29/2013

IFC2013018: ICMP, Chicago Park District, ecosystem restoration project along the west bank of the North Branch of the Chicago River in Horner Park in the City of Chicago. (PDF)

Public Comments Accepted
All public comments must be received by the end date shown on the notice.  Any person asserting that a specific action does not meet federal consistency must specifically reference the state law or laws that would be violated.  All persons submitting objections will be notified of the Department’s final decision.  Comments can be sent by email to James.Casey@illinois.gov or by mail to: James P. Casey, IDNR/OWR, Michael A. Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 703, Chicago, Illinois 60601.

Reference documents:

• revised USACE plan
• Horner Park revised plant list
• Horner Park revised contract drawings

• IL DNR Coastal Management Program (ICMP)
• Letters in support of the project
• IL DNR and USACE Open House, Sept. 26, 2013
• Revised plans posted on FedBizOpps.Gov, Sept. 20, 2103
• Letter from Chicago Park District and US Army Corps of Engineers to Alderman Deb Mell (9-17-13 )
• USACE Presentation: Horner Park Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration (7/23/13)
• FedBizOpps.gov web page for Horner Park Ecosystem Restoration Project
• Horner Park Tree Removal List
• Horner Park Plant List