By Michael Hawthorne Tribune reporter
2:42 p.m. CDT, June 2, 2011
The Illinois Pollution Control Board today took the first step toward designating stretches of the Chicago River, Cal-Sag Channel and Little Calumet River safe for “primary contact,” a legal term that includes activities such as kayaking, canoeing, boating, wading and swimming.
The rule-making panel’s 58-page order reflects a May 11 letter from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that demanded the changes, citing provisions in the 1972 Clean Water Act that require all of the nation’s lakes and rivers to eventually be safe enough for “recreation in and on the water.”
Few people think the waterways will ever become swimming attractions, but the panel’s order would make them safer for people who can ingest large amounts of bacteria while plying the waters.
via State pollution board orders Chicago River cleanup – chicagotribune.com.
Tagged as:
EPA,
Illinois Pollution Control Board,
river cleanup
by admin on January 9, 2011
By Joel Hood, Tribune reporter January 9, 2011
Promising to crack down on those who illegally dump garbage in poor, urban pockets of southern Cook County, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is targeting a prominent Markham businessman who in 2009 scored a $6 million waste removal contract with the city of Chicago.
EPA officials describe Jim Bracken, owner of Brackenbox Inc. Dumpster service as well as a transfer and recycling center in Markham, as a “chronic” violator of environmental regulations, and referred his case to the state attorney general’s office to seek compliance.
Records show Bracken has been cited at least nine times since 2009 with various environmental infractions, from illegally dumping crushed drywall in an open field to improperly accepting household hazardous waste, garbage and landscaping debris at his Markham transfer station.
via State EPA targeting Markham businessman in effort to curb illegal dumping – chicagotribune.com.
Tagged as:
Brackenbox Inc.,
Cook County,
environmental regulations,
EPA,
Jim Bracken
by admin on January 7, 2011
The village of Downers Grove purchases Lake Michigan water that is supplied by the city of Chicago via the DuPage Water Commission.
Recently, some questions have been raised regarding the quality of Chicago water. Specifically,
testing of Chicago tap water by an independent agency indicated the presence of chromium 6, a carcinogenic heavy metal.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency is evaluating new health effects data of chromium 6 in drinking water. It is expected that this evaluation will be completed in late 2011.
via Downers Grove update: Village gives water report – Naperville Sun.
Tagged as:
chromium 6,
drinking water,
EPA
by admin on December 19, 2010
December 18, 2010 10:07 AM
The EPA order issued Friday requires the companies to develop plans to finish the cleanup and restoration of the spill area.
EPA officials say the spill is near wetlands that house several endangered species.
Federal officials say about 21,000 gallons of oil were released in Lockport and Romeoville, about 35 miles southwest of Chicago.
via EPA sets deadlines for pipeline spill cleanup – Chicago Breaking News.
Tagged as:
EPA,
pipeline spill
