This article takes a pause to look back and reflect. Good things can happen. Over 90 comments were made to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the November, 2022, deadline regarding the proposed expansion of silica sand mining east of Starved Rock State Park. The U.S. Silica Company (not a governmental entity) had filed for a Corps permit to impact wetlands and habitat areas with a new quarry.

In Progress: Kickapoo Creek Watershed Study
The hills and floodplains that make up Kickapoo Creek Watershed were set in place by the last glacier to depart this area ten thousand years ago, its moraine and meltwater making a wider valley than could have been created by the present-day stream, and depositing layers of sand and silt. The watershed drains over 309 square miles of Peoria county and bits of surrounding counties, before emptying into the Illinois River at Bartonville. The future of this much-overlooked and neglected watershed is the focus of a major study in progress by the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (TRPC) and environmental consulting firm of Baxter-Woodman. 

New Solar Zoning Regulations Coming to Peoria
The Tuesday, July 9th, Peoria City Council meeting will include a proposal for added restrictions on ground mount solar in the city of Peoria. The Council will vote on a new zoning ordinance which states, “Ground mounted solar energy devices shall be prohibited from being placed in front and corner-side yards.”

Will Peoria City/County Have a New Landfill to Replace the One Filling Up?
Comments at the most recent Solid Waste Committee meeting made progress on a new landfill sound possible. The existing City/County landfill is expected to reach capacity by the end of 2024 or early 2025.

New State CO2 Pipeline and Storage Rules
Thanks to all who phoned state legislators, emailed, wrote, attended a lobby day, or in other ways helped on environmental protection legislation in Springfield! While the much-needed Wetlands Protection legislation was stalled, the SAFE CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) Act was passed by the Legislature.

Fly Fishing Instruction at Wildlife Prairie Park
June 29th and 30th were two days of clean water awareness and new fishing skills at the Wildlife Prairie Park Outdoor Fun Extravaganza. The Heart of Illinois Group Sierra Club coordinated with the Oakbook Chapter of Trout Unlimited to provide fly fishing basic instruction and the use of equipment to learn the basics of fly fishing and casting a fly line.