HR0127 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0127 LRB094 10912 CSA 41474 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 20th Century, the City of Chicago reversed the flow of the Chicago River in the year 1900 so that Lake Michigan could remain a pure source of drinking water, free from untreated sewage; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago region enjoys some of the cleanest, highest quality, and best-tasting tap water of any major metropolitan area in the nation; and

WHEREAS, The health of migratory birds and fish habitat, water-based tourism, and local use of the beaches of Lake Michigan depend on the purity of the water of Lake Michigan; and

WHEREAS, The flow of runoff from heavy rain events into sewage treatment systems can be greatly reduced through the use and employment of wetland reservoirs, native vegetation planted along streams and riverbanks, and effective flood and water supply planning; and

WHEREAS, The current proposal put forth by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for the sanctioned "blending" of untreated sewage with stormwater runoff that will flow directly into Lake Michigan in the event of a heavy rain will lead to increased occurrence of hepatitis, dysentery, and respiratory problems among the residents of Illinois and will lead to the degradation of wildlife habitat and recreational use of Lake Michigan; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we formally oppose the current wastewater "blending" proposal put forth by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and encourage the Agency to reformulate its policy, taking better account of local health and recreational needs in an effort to lessen the entrance of stormwater runoff into the sewage treatment system, rather than providing an unhealthful means of managing it once the treatment system is overburdened in the event of a heavy rain; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be sent to the United States Environmental Protection Agency and each member of the Illinois congressional delegation.