Tallgras lenan - Sierra Club

Tallgras lenanJanuary/February 2000 Volume 28 No. 1

THE HEART OF ILLINOIS GROUP OF THE SIERRA CLUB » P.O. Box 3593, Peoria, IL 61614 (309)745-1920

HOI Group MeetingsWEDJAN W

Nepal: Land and CultureForest Park Nature Center, 7 p.m.

Anne Desjardins will present a program of slides andcommentary on the mountainous Asian country of Nepal. MsDesjardains, presently a research chemist at the NorthernRegional Laboratory in Peoria. taught science in Nepal from1971 to 1973 and has made four other visits to the country since.She is planning yet another trip for the spring of this year. AfterNepal changed to a democracy in 1991, tourism flourished andhas largely been responsible for the breakdown of class bondage,Nepal has two principle cultures, Hindu and Tibetan. Ms,Desjardins will discuss the very different land stewardship ethicof these two cultures. All are welcome! Refreshments servedafter the meeting.

Planning for Peoria's Third Growth CellForest Park Nature Center, 7 p.m.

Wayne Anthony, longtime chief Peoria city planner, willspeak of his ideas and dreams for Peoria's third growth cell.north of War Memorial and west of route 6. Mr. Anthonyenvisions miles of hiking and biking trails linking subdivisions,linear parks, lakes, and ponds. Open space of this type would beunlike any found in a central Illinois city. In Mr. Anthony's plan,bikers and hikers would have trail access to the Rock IslandTrail. All are welcome! Refreshments served after the meeting.

JOIN US 611 OUH ANNUALSTAHVtU HOOK WINYO IIIKt!

When - Sunday, January 30thWhere - Forest Park Nature Center, 9 a.m., or

Starved Rock Lodge, 10:30 a.m.What - Bring Lunch for the Trail / Dress WarmWhat (About Dinner) - Mona's in TolucaWho - HOI members and the publicQuestions? - Al and Mary Harkrader,

(309) 682-8462

The Kellar Branch Line: View looking north fromTeton Drive. With your support this will become arecreational trail stretching from Pioneer Park tothe riverfront. Photo, johnwosik

Urgent! Letters & Calls Needed toSupport the Rock Island Trail Extension!

Be at Peoria City Hall, Tuesday, February 22nd,for the Vote

BY JOYCE BLUMENSHINE

Please contact Peoria Mayor Bud Grieves and as many PeoriaCity Council members as you can. Let them know it is essentialthat the City of Peoria approve the Rock Island Trail extensionon the Kellar Branch Line. The city must vote to vacate the lineand end train traffic there so that the extension for the RockIsland Trail can be built. The Peoria Park District has obtained$4.5 million dollars of Federal and state grant funding fordeveloping the Rock Island Trail extension, however, the moneycould be lost if the project is further delayed. In all the yearsPioneer Park has promoted businesses, only three places thereuse rail service. An 1800 foot rail line extension will connectexisting track from the Union Pacific line at the west edge ofPioneer Park so that rail service can continue to Pioneer Park.Funds to extend the railroad branch line have been obtained byRepresentative David Leitch.

The Rock Island Trail extension will go from Pioneer Parksouth to Peoria Heights and on to the riverfront trail. The trailwill provide safe, off-street bicycling, hiking, jogging, andwalking north/south through Peoria. Currently there is no safeway to commute by bicycle going to Pioneer Park from centralPeoria. The trail extension is an essential link in the area bicyclepath system, and it will connect the East Peoria/Morton trails tothe Rock Island Trail. Significant political pressure is beingmade to keep a shortline railroad running on the Kellar Branchline. If rail access to Pioneer Park is not moved

Rock Island Trail, from page 1 from the Kellar Branch Lineto the western Union Pacific access, the opportunity for the RockIsland Trail extension will be lost. A meeting of the TrailAdvocates group will be held January 6th, 7:00 p.m. PhoneGeorge Burner, 698-5512, for more information.

The Peoria City Council voted at their December 14thmeeting to defer the issue until February 22, 2000, at the regular6:15 p.m. City Council meeting. Please Contact:

CityBud Grieves (Mayor)City CouncilJim ArdisChris Duncan IICamille GibsonCharles GrayebJohn MorrisPatrick NichtingGary SandbergGail ThetfordEric TurnerWilliam Spears

of Peoria - Elected Officials125 SW Jefferson Ave, 61602 671-1011

6141 N. Evergreen Circle, 61614 690-4032314 Madison Park Ter, 61605 673-06731627 W. Columbia Ter., 61606 673-7289510W. High St., 61605 676-29134104 N. Chelsa Place, 61614 686-394410507 N. Sleepy Hollow Rd., 61615 692-55801810 N. Bigelow St.. 61604 682-25641126 E. Fairoaks, 61603 686-71516212 N. Teal Wood Circle, 61615 691-25372225 W. Overhill Rd, 61615 688-0960

SUPREMES RULE AGAINSTKNOX COUNTY

BY RALPH GINN

On December 2, 1999 the Illinois Supreme Court ruled thatIllinois counties do not have the authority to regulate Mega-hogfarms or other large-scale livestock operations (CAFO's). Thecourt ruled that The Highlands in Knox County, a 3,600 sow,hog raising facility near Williamsfield, should be consideredagricultural and not industrial or commercial. In Sierra Club'sopinion, this is a misguided judgment and leaves us, and otheropponents of CAFO's, with only the option of going back to theState Legislature for relief from this ill-wind blowing into ruralAmerica.

Native American Mounds Concern if PekinLandfill Expands

BY JOYCE BLUMENSHINE

FOCUS-W (Families Opposed to Contamination of UrbanSoil and Water) group representative Bruce Knoll has beencoordinating with the Native American Midwest Soaring Group.Historical research and contacts with elderly residents havedisclosed Indian burial mounds along the Lost Creek area,southeast of Pekin. This area is close to the site WasteProfessionals of Chicago wishes to use for expansion of theclosed Pekin Metro landfill. Area residents share concerns withthe Native American group that some mounds may have beendestroyed by the old landfill. Protection of possible Indian burialsites is another issue to be considered by the Tazewell CountyBoard in any further negotiations of a Host Agreement to allowWaste Professionals to proceed with plans for the dump. Arevised Host Agreement has reportedly been written, however, ithas not been made available to members of the FOCUS-W groupnor to the public. Waste Professionals is facing legal action forproblems with their closed landfill, and the Illinois AttorneyGeneral's Office has been looking into illegal dumping at thesite. The old landfill and proposed new landfill are both locatedover major water recharge areas, with parts of the MahometAquifer nearby. Several thousand people live in thewater-recharge area and use well water. If you have not yetcalled or written to your Tazewell County Board Representativeto urge that the Waste Professional's south Pekin landfill site bevetoed, please do so.

ALDO LEOPOLD EDUCATION PROJECT

The Heart of Illinois Sierra Club Executive Committee has decided to ask members of our group for a one-time donation to be used forsupport of the Aldo Leopold Education Project. This project is being proposed by the Hult Health Education Center located at 5215Knoxville Av., Peoria, Illinois. Hult Education Center is a not-for-profit organization established to supplement the education ofIllinois school children and families. This unique health-science museum utilizes "hands-on" exhibits and computer animation toeducate more than 40,000 individuals annually.

Hult hopes to develop an education project that will be used to teach children and the public about the environmental principles soelegantly described by Aldo Leopold in his book, "A Sand County Almanac." Twelve learning stations will be constructed on aone-acre plot adjacent to the Hult Center. These learning stations will focus on sustaining natural cycles and preservation of plant andanimal species. Hult hopes to raise $50,000 for this project and is asking for one-time donations of $500 from regional businesses andorganizations.1 . ! Our goal is to raise $500 from HOI Sierra Club. We have also

asked Illinois Chapter of Sierra Club to match our donation.HOI has not asked members for a donation in many years. The

Enclosed is my gift to Heart of Illinois Sierra Club to be used for theAldo Leopold Education Project.

$5 $10 $20 other

Your name(s). _(optional)

Mail to: Grayce Haworth, TreasurerHOI Sierra ClubRoute 1 Box 219Lacon, IL 61540

Executive Committee believes this is an excellent opportunityto promote the education of children and their parents aboutbasic principles of conservation.

Please give a gift of $5 or more and send it in with the formon the left.

Heart of Illinois Big Tree Survey

Illustration 1 - How to measureCrown width and Height of aLeaning Tree.

W = Crown WidthH = HeightC = Circumference at Breast Height

Heart of Illinois Sierra Club is asking its members to help in developing an inventory of large,old or otherwise significant trees in our 15 county area. This project is in response to the cuttingdown of four very large oaks on Peoria's northwest side for a strip mall. This form andinstructions is condensed from Guide to the Illinois Big Tree Register published by the IllinoisDepartment of Conservation Division of Forest Resources. We are asking that you return anynominations to HOI Sierra Club. We, in turn, will forward the information to the appropriateDistrict Forester.

Only NATIVE Illinois trees that are listed in Robert H. Mohlenbrock's Guide to theVascular Flora of Illinois Revised and Enlarged Edition are eligible. A tree is defined as awoody plant having one erect, perennial stem or trunk at least 9!/2 inches in circumference at apoint 4'/2 feet above the ground, a definitely formed crown of foliage, and a height of at least 12feet. Trees must receive sufficient care or beexpected to live at least 10 years beyond thedate of nomination to be considered.

The circumference of a tree is measured ininches at a point 4l/i feet above the center of the base of the tree. In the case of afork, growth or a branch on the trunk at this point, the circumference is measured atthe point below this where the circumference is least. A note should be made of thisheight and included on the nomination form.

Height of a tree is the measurement of the vertical distance in feet from the base ofthe tree to the highest live branch. If the tree is a leaner, its topmost branches mightnot be directly over the base of the tree. Only the vertical distance from the tree topto a point level with the tree base, is measured. A plumb-bob or weighted string may

be needed for sighting to determine thispoint (see Illustration 1).

A simple instrument for measuringheight is a straight stick 5 to 6 feetlong. To use this method hold the stickat arm's length so that the stick isvertical. The length of the stick abovethe hand should equal the distance

Partial List of Trees Eligible for InclusionOn the Illinois Big Tree Register

Aceraceae - mapleAnacardaceae - sumacAnnonaceae - pawpawAquifoliaceae - hollyBetulaceae - alder, birchBignoniaceae - catalpaCaesalpiniaceae - redbud, honey-locust.

coffee-treeCaprifoliaceae - viburnumCornaceae - dogwoodCorytaceae - blue beech, hop hornbeamCupressaceae - juniper (red cedar),

arbor vitaeEbanaceae - persimmonFabaceae - yellow-wood, locustFagaceae - chestnut, beech, oakHamamelidaceae - sweetgumHippocastanaceae - buckeye,

horse-chestnutJuglandaceae - hickory, walnutLauraceae - sassafrasMagnoliaceae - tulip tree, magnoliaMoraceae - mulberryNyssaceae - tupeloOleaceae - ashPinaceae- larch, pinePlatanaceae - sycamoreRosaceae - shadbush, hawthorn, apple,

plum, cherry, mountain ashRutaceae - hop-treeSaliceae - poplar, willowStyraceae - silverbell treeTaxodiaceae - bald cypressTiliaceae - basswoodUlmaceae - hackberry, water elm, elm

Illustration 2 - How to measure the heightof a tree using a long stick and measuringtape.

X = distance from tree to eye in feetY = height of eye above ground in feetX + Y = HEIGHT OF TREE

from your hand to your eye. Move forward orback until the top of the tree is in line with the topof the stick. The distance to the base of the treeplus the distance from the ground to eye levelequals the tree's height (see Illustration 2).

Crown spread is measured at two points, where itis the least and where it is the greatest. Theaverage of the two should be recorded on thenomination form. A plumb-bob or other weightedstring may be used to sight the edge of the crownon the ground.

Illustration 3 - How to identify atree location in a section of landtaken from a Plat Book.

BUCKHORN T. 2S - R. 3W.(from a plat book)

One Section, 640 ACRES

NORTH

NWW160 ACRES

o

NEtt160 ACRES

SEV-160 ACRES

SOUTH

(Read the description from the smallest partthrough to the largest part.)

LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THIS THEE LOCATIONSE QTR., SW QTR., SEC. 18, TWP. 2S, R. 3W,TOWNSHIP: NAME BUCKHORN. COUNTY: BROWN

Big Tree Nomination FormReturn a copy of this form to: HOI Sierra Club

PO Box 3593Peoria, IL 61614

Nominator Phone

Address(Street or Box #) (City) (State) (Zip)

Tree Owner Phone

Species Name. Common Name

Circumference(In inches 4Yi feet above the ground)

Height, Average Spread,(In feet) (In feet)

Life expectancy of tree (check one): D 10 years or more D less than 10 years

Attach: J A photograph of the tree.

y A map or description of the exact location of the tree.

DISTRICT FORESTER USE

Circumference

Height,

Average Crown Spread,

OFFICE USE

Circumference,

Height,

1/4 Crown Spread,

D. F.'s Signature Total Points

RING ROADS, SUPERHIGHWAYS, SPRAWL, AND OBESITY

BY RALPH GINNCongressman Ray LaHood has apparently strong-armed

regional legislators, local leaders and IDOT (Il l inoisDepartment of Transportation) into giving up on the north ringroad which would cross the Illinois River at Mossville andmeander through Tazewell County. He would, instead, focuson a Peoria to Chicago superhighway. Not that the ring road isany great loss. Neither highway is, admitted by all of theabove, needed for transportation. Both are the product of thefuzzy idea that the purpose of super-roads is for attractingdevelopment and business.

Historically, the interstate highway system was started byPresident Dwight Eisenhower in the late 50's. It was atransportation system and it worked well. But, it had adownside that included the beginnings of urban sprawl and theisolation of small towns not located near a superhighway. Latercame bypasses, and ring roads for larger metropolitan centersand the sprawl accelerated. It was in the 70's that planners anddevelopers got into the mix with their promises of growth,jobs, and opportunities. The politician's mantra across the landbecame, "We need a new highway (bypass-ring road) in mydistrict." Deals were made and the growth spun out of control.By the late 80's and early 90's it became painfully apparent thatsuperhighways were attracting a nightmare of trafficcongestion, a collapse of basic municipal services, andenvironmental disasters....urban sprawl. Chicago. Los Angeles.Atlanta, to name three of the worst. Atlanta was recentlydesignated the most sprawled city in America. On its northside, 1-75 has a section with eight lanes, in each direction.Have those 16 lanes alleviated traffic congestion? No, but theydo continue to attract more development.

Congressman LaHood and local leaders are driven to thisfolly by jealousy of Bloomington-Normal's three interstates.LaHood credits the twin cities for being one of the fastestgrowing communities in I l l inois and flatly states that the threehighways are the reason. But, is fast growth good? The currentbuzz words of the planners and developers are "smart growth."The trouble with smart growth is that it must thrive in ademocracy. An environment of overlapping township, city, andcounty jurisdictions. And each with its own jealously guardedterritory. Smart growth soon turns into dumb growth, with allof the headaches for the average man and woman trying to getto their jobs and back home. How many living in the 15counties that make up HOI Sierra Club want to trade placeswith the commuter living in the heart of Chicago Suburbia?

As if urban sprawl isn't bad enough, a recent study comingout of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (based inAtlanta) concludes that Americans are getting fatter. Obesitysoared from 1 in eight in 1991 to 1 in five in 1998. Leading theway is Georgia with a 102 percent increase. Dr. William Diet,one of the study's co-authors points to urban sprawl as one ofthe main culprits. Keeping people trapped in their cars forhours, leaving no time for exercise, and munching on greasyfast foods.

Bright people learn from the mistakes of others. Sierra Clubhopes that our Congressmen, legislators, and local leaders willtake a second hard look at the Peoria-Chicago highway. It isnot needed and should be abandoned.

**

M Yes, 1 want to help safeguard our children's preciousnatural heritage. My check is enclosed.

Name

Address

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State Zio

Phone (Optional) ( )Con tribu! ions, gifts of dues to the Sierra Club are not tax deductible; they support oureffective, citizen-based advocacy and lobbying efforts. Your dues include $7.50 for asubscription to Sierra magazine and $1.00 for your Chapter newsletter.

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES Enclose check and m111 lo

INDIVIDUAL JOINT sierra Club

INTRODUCTORY D $25 Rou|,pr ro 8M22-2968

REGULAR D$35 D $43 ',)

SUPPORTING D$60 D S68 xTx r- 4K

CONTRIBUTING D$I20 DS128 ^^^ JJJ blKA, jf,

LIFE D$IOOO DS1250 \U& V^LUB "'.ftSENIOR D$I9 D$27 ^^ FOU-DID n.i

STUDENT D$I9 D $27 * ,,,

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Black Partridge ParkBattle Continues

BY JOYCE BLUMENSHINE

More pressure has been added to concerns for theprotection of Black Partridge Park, located at the east edge ofMetamora. The Metamora Park Board is proceeding withsteps to plan the lake proposed for the golf resort and parkdevelopment, and is working on the permitting process that isrequired. Because acres of wetlands will be lost if the lake isdeveloped, the Park Board must come up with a mitigationplan that wil l establish another wetland to replace the acresthat would be destroyed. One Park Board member hasresigned. The Metamora Park Board has not supplied arevised site plan that leaves out parcels of private propertythey included for the golf resort, even though the owners havemade it clear they will not sell. Advocates for protection ofthe park are working on what legal grounds can be used tostop the project. Donations can be .sent to Black PartridgeConservancy, 411 Northfork Rd., Metamora, IL 61548.

HOI Group CalendarJanuary8 Illinois Chapter ExecutiveSAT Meeting, 9 a.m.

IIOI Group will host the state Sierraboard meeting at the Alpha Park PublicLibrary. Key issues on the agenda willbe political endorsements for the Marchelections, a revised resolutionrequesting a no-grazing of domesticlivestock on Federal public lands, andSierra bylaws.

19 Group Meeting, 7 p.m.WED Forest Park Nature Center. Anne

Desjardins, Nepal: Land and Culture.Everyone is welcome!

22SAT

Illinois River Moonlight Hike,6:30 p.m.Join us for amoonlight hike atthe Marshall StateFish and WildlifeArea, adjacent to thebackwaters of the Illinois River. DNRwildlife area manager Larry Rice willlead the hike. We will caravan fromForest Park Nature Center at 6:30 p.m.Dress for cold, windy, wet weather -waterproof boots, hats, gloves, andflashlights are must-have gear! A hikingor ski pole is strongly recommended -extras are available upon request. Onlyappropriately dressed people shouldconsider going on this hike. Hot drinksand other refreshments will be availableafterwards.NOTE: R.S.V.P. by Jan 21 a must!Call Mary at 745-5479 for more detailsandtoR.S.V.P.

30SUN

Starved Rock Winter Hike,9 a.m.This traditional hikestarts by car pooling atthe Forest Park Nature Center. . . ormeeting at the Starved Rock Lodge GreatHall at 10:30 a.m. Bring something toeat and drink on the trail during the 3-4hour outing, and dress for the weather.Following the hike a stop is planned atMona's in Toluca on the way home. CallAi or Mary Harkrader at (309) 682-8462for more information.

Other Events: (Not sponsored by theSierra Club but provided as a public service.)

Friends of the RockIsland Trail Workdays

Watch this box for plans for a spring workday. Year 2000 brings a new schedule witha seasonal work day in the spring, summer.and fall.

Join the Forest ParkNature Center Book Club!The Peoria Park District's Forest

Park Nature Center is establishing a bookclub that wi l l focus on environmental andnature-related books. The first regularmeeting is January 25th . 7 p.m. at theNature Center, with the first scheduledbook "Ishmael" by Daniel Quinn.

Membership is free. Copies of the firstbook as well as all chosen books for theclub may be purchased at the TrailheadNature Store at a 25% discount. For moreinformation, call Kristin Jacobson at686-3360.

February9 Executive Meeting, 7 p.m.WED Joseph Laszlo's home, 330 S.

Barnewolt Dr., Peoria. Call 637-4692for directions.

16 Group Meeting, 7 p.m.WED Forest Park Nature Center. Wayne

Anthony, Planning for Peoria's ThirdGrowth Cell Everyone is welcome!

17 Newsletter DeadlineTHU Send articles for March and April to:

John Wosik, 12409 N. Blackhawk Ct..Dunlap, IL 61525, [email protected]

19 Illinois River Eagle Watch,SAT 9 a.m.

Join us at the Forest ParkNature Center. From therewe wi l t be touring selectedIllinois River valleylocations in search of ournational symbol, the BaldEagle. Dress appropriatelyand bring your binoculars!A lunch stop is in our plans. Call Maryat 745-5479 for more information.

23 Newsletter Mailing, 7 p.m.WED Peoria Pizza Works; Everyone

welcome!

SIERRA_CLUB_

F O U N D E D 1892

to

Heart of Illinois Sierra Club* Local Meetings & Outings • Action Alerts (309)* •Public Contacts • Leave Messages 745.

Executive CommitteeChair Rudy Habben . . . 685-5605Vice-Chair Norman Ewing . . 686-4127Secretary Joseph Laszlo . . . 637-4692Treasurer Grayce Haworth . 246-8397Conservation Chair Ralph Ginn . . . . 274-3289Outings Chair Richard Klatt . . . 274-3792Newsletter Editor/Chapter Del . John Wosik . . . . 243-2230

Membership Chair Cindy Ewmg . . . 686-4122Alternate Chapter Delegate Joyce Blumenshine 688-0950I-TAN Mary Bodell 745-5479Calendar Sales Chris Meydam . . 682-0549

£u/ing!

Heart of Illinois Sierra Club says a great big THANK YOU to CindyEwing for her year as Chair of the Group. In spite of all her workdemands and travels, Cindy never, ever, lost her wonderful sense ofhumor that made all those board meetings bearable. Thanks. Cindy!

HEART OF ILLINOIS

Sierra ClubP.O. Box 3593Peoria, IL 61614

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE PAIDPEORIA, ILLINOISPERMIT NO 104

To explore, enjoy and protect the wild places of the earth