Water Wars in Wet Williamson
Marion, Illinois - Williamson County
Marion's reservoir plan hits obstacle
BY NICOLE SACK, THE SOUTHERN
MARION - Marion's 17-year dream of constructing a new water supply reservoir has hit a new bottleneck as the Army Corps of Engineers has determined the city's proposal does not comply with guidelines of the Clean Water Act.
In a letter sent to Marion Mayor Robert Butler, the corps said Marion has better water source alternatives available than the construction of a reservoir on Sugar Creek, located near Creal Springs.
"Based on the available information, we have concluded that the alternative to obtain treated or raw water from the Rend Lake Conservancy District is an option available to both Marion and the Lake of Egypt Water District," wrote Col. Raymond Midkiff of the Corps of Engineers.
"Raw water from Cedar Lake is an option available to LEWD. I recommend that Marion and LEWD together and alone enter into good faith negotiations with these water supply entities to determine if these alternatives remain feasible," Midkiff wrote.
Butler said the city of Marion has been pursuing a new water source for the growing town since 1989. Marion has selected and purchased roughly 1,500 acres - at a cost of nearly $3 million - as the site of the future lake. When asked when he would like to see a resolution to the water issue, Butler responded, "yesterday."
Meanwhile the city will follow the suggestion of the Army Corps of Engineers and begin talks with officials at Rend Lake.
"That is what they want us to do, so that is what we will do," Butler said. "But of course we would prefer to have our own water supply."
Marion Water Commissioner Robert "Dog" Connell said he opposes the Rend Lake option because it would make too many communities dependent on one water source.
"It's not good policy to keep all your eggs in one basket," Connell said.
Connell contends a disruption to the supply line would leave multiple Southern Illinois residents in jeopardy of being stranded without an alternative source, which he said a new Marion reservoir could provide.
Gary McKay, project manager at the Louisville Army Corps of Engineers said, there is still an opportunity for Marion to offer a more compelling reason as to why it needs its own new water source. But as the cards are stacked now, the corps would not rule in the city's favor.
McKay said adverse effects on aquatic life and wildlife also were considered during the review.
The Sugar Creek reservoir would inundate 6.2 miles of Sugar Creek, 1.1 miles of tributaries and 3 miles of Maple Branch. Additionally, more than 40 acres of wetlands would be lost to the damming of the area, according to the Army Corps of Engineers.
By contrast, obtaining water from Rend Lake or Cedar Lake would result in temporary disturbances from pipeline crossings, with minimal wetland impacts.
"Essentially this is a balancing act between the project goals and the environmental consequences," McKay said.
nicole.sack@thesouthern.com
(618) 529-5454 ext. 5816 Published on: Wednesday, August 9, 2006 7:04 AM CDT TheSouthern.com encourages readers to interact with one another.
The comments below are from readers of TheSouthern.com and in no way represent the views of The Southern Illinoisan or Lee Enterprises.
Julie wrote on August 11, 2006 8:44 AM: "If someone is truly concerned about the children in Marion, they should make sure that these kids are taught better than to believe "As far as wetlands, they are breeders of mosquitos,ticks and other insects that are harmful to humans." Wetlands are the kidneys of our planet, which cleanse and purify our natural water supply, not to mention support an amazing array of species, all of which are important to natural functioning ecosystems. Anyone who is interested in Mayor Butler's record can contact the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation and find out why he was disbarred as an attorney. It has to do with disgraceful, dishonest actions to enrich himself at the expense of others. Do you know how hard it is for an attorney to get disbarred? This is not an offensive or inappropriate comment to anyone interested in the truth. It is a matter of public record."
Duane Short wrote on August 10, 2006 8:20 PM: "As Marion's residents and businesses consume water, plant and animals species, including Lampetra aepyptera, face extinction. Illinois’ water storing and filtering wetlands have all but disappeared along with their natural inhabitants. Water conservation measures and sharing water is a much more sensible, far less expensive, and environmentally sound solution than building a reservoir that would negate all the aforementioned benefits. Gary McKay states the Corp’s case quite well. Marion's water commissioner seems not to understand hydrology, biology, ecology and the fact that water and eggs are, altogether, two quite different things. Was his argument when Wal-Mart came to town... “We should not have all our consumers eggs in one retail store’s cooler.” I doubt it and I just bet Mayor Butler did not warn Wal-Mart about Marion’s “perilous” water shortage woes. One should not kill the truth, plants, or animals just to get one’s way. Science is the best tool humans have to cool otherwise hot and biased heads. Science indicates a reservoir that would destroy Sugar Creek and its associated wetlands is simply not wise or needed."
Barb McKasson, Sierra Club Shawnee Group Chair wrote on August 10, 2006 1:53 PM: “For nearly two decades, local Sierra Club members and property owners have worked to promote alternatives to the proposed Marion dam. If built, the dam would destroy Sugar Creek, one of the last free-flowing streams in the region, and habitat for endangered wildlife. The recent letter from the Army Corps to the City of Marion makes clear that the destruction of Sugar Creek is unnecessary, given alternative water supply options, and that the harm to our Southern Illinois environment would be substantial. In a July 14th letter to Marion Mayor Robert Butler, the Corps wrote: “water from the Rend Lake Conservancy District is an option available to Marion alone or available to both Marion and Lake of Egypt Water Reclamation District (LEWD). Also, raw water from Cedar Lake is an option available to LEWD. I recommend that Marion and LEWD together and alone enter into good faith negotiations with these water supply entities to determine if these alternatives remain feasible.” And “These pipeline alternatives would result in substantially smaller impacts to aquatic resources.” We applaud the Army Corps for their honest analysis, and common-sense recommendation. Rend Lake and Cedar Lake are among the existing impoundments in our region that could potentially supply Marion with water at substantially lower cost, without displacing landowners, and without destroying Sugar Creek, a unique Southern Illinois natural resource. Sierra Club is committed to working with the City of Marion and regional leaders to plan for Marion’s water supply to provide reliable, quality drinking water at reasonable cost, while protecting the natural beauty and heritage of our region.”
Bob wrote on August 10, 2006 11:29 AM: "This Marion Lake project was never about securing water for Marion. It was always about making a recreation lake to benefit developers who are cronies of Mayor Butler. Check the record: First they acquired property and tried to get a Permit to build the recreation lake. When they could not obtain a Permit, they teamed up with Butler and began the chorus for the very same lake, but as a municipal water supply. They have since manipulated the water quality in Marion along with the minds of its citizens. Hooking up to Rend Lake has always been the most sensible solution."
Not Surprised wrote on August 10, 2006 7:24 AM:"It's amazing that the federal government decided that the Centennial Tank Farm (a break-out storage facility for the pipeline mentioned in the article)built on one of the highest hills near Creal Springs will have no ill effect on the environment (they say, "Don't worry about the New Madrid Eartquake Zone, the toxic fumes, or the eyesore"), yet they have determined that a new LAKE near Creal Springs will be detrimental to our clean water supply! I'm not surprised that the big oil companies always win their environmental impact decisions while small municipalities are "dying of thirst" in red tape. If you haven't seen the Tank Farm, I recommend a drive by.....certainly not a southern Illinois gemstone and certainly not the beneficial economic machine it was claimed to be. "
Bill Crabtree wrote on August 10, 2006 1:32 AM: "Still no solution to the water problem. We end up driving around in dirty cars every year because the car washes are forced to close due to the lack of water. You think Simmons will be told he can't water the grass at his baseball stadium though? Nope, it will use the water we already don't have, while the citizens who actually pay taxes get stiffed again. Still think there isn't a problem with the priorities of Butler and his cronies?"
"Not surprised" wrote on August 09, 2006 7:38 PM: "I could have told you back in 1989 that this was never going to happen. The only person who ever really wanted to see this thing done was Mayor Butler. They're may have been a few people who backed this, but overall, it never really had a large amount of support. "
Donna Hudgens wrote on August 09, 2006 2:20 PM: "Have these powers that be tasted our Marion water? It not only tastes bad but stinks as well. No wonder stores are selling bottled water like crazy. As far as Rend lake water , it tastes just as bad. How can it be healthy to drink such water? Where is the concern for the health of our children instead of crawdads. How can you compare the contribution of humans to the world to the contribution of crawdads. As far as wetlands, they are breeders of mosquitos,ticks and other insects that are harmful to humans. It seems like the ones that are opposed to the lake have an ax to grind with Mayor Butler and don't care who they hurt in the process."
Down in Egypt wrote on August 09, 2006 10:14 AM: "You're forgetting that up until a few years ago the Rend Lake Conservancy Board operated more like a criminal organization than a public body interested in doing the public good. The history of corruption associated with the RCLD has barely been scratched by the local news media. That by itself is one of the major reasons why Butler has never trusted RLCD. But the other question is whether Rend Lake actually has enough water to add another 30,000 customers, plus the new ethanol plant, plus the new coal mine/power plant slated near Johnston City, plus any new industry, etc. Cedar Lake? Come on, it makes no sense for Marion to bow down to Carbondale's anti-Marion city manager. This is the city that's sued Marion over the mall and is about to sue Carterville. It's Carbondale's way or the highway. It would be stupid for Marion to give them any leverage that would be used against them. I'm not being paranoid. Read the recent report by the Jackson County industrial group. All they do is lament the fact that Jackson County is losing its leadership position to Marion and Williamson County, and all would be better if somebody would provide them with more funding. Both Marion and Carbondale built industrial parks around 1976. Since then Marion has built three more industrial parks while Carbondale still hasn't filled theirs. Right now Marion is the county seat of the largest county in Southern Illinois outside the MetroEast. It's the largest retail trade center even surpassing Carbondale. This is where the major job growth is occurring. For Marion to place its future in the hands of small-minded politicians in neighboring no-growth counties is ridiculous."
No Brain Water wrote on August 09, 2006 7:46 AM: "Marion residents have been putting up with this type of kimchee for a long time. Butler has been told time and again that he wasnt gonna be able to use sugar creek. Yet this man stubbornly holds out for 17 years, and then says he will indeed open talks with rend lake. This couldve and shouldve been done years ago. Butler is an egotisical outdated spoiled man with no real concern for what others want, or deem to be true. Hopefully next time im in marion i can get a good glass of tap water. New blood in marion govt is whast is really needed. THAT would be a boon to marion!!!!! "
Marion's reservoir plan hits obstacle
BY NICOLE SACK, THE SOUTHERN
MARION - Marion's 17-year dream of constructing a new water supply reservoir has hit a new bottleneck as the Army Corps of Engineers has determined the city's proposal does not comply with guidelines of the Clean Water Act.
In a letter sent to Marion Mayor Robert Butler, the corps said Marion has better water source alternatives available than the construction of a reservoir on Sugar Creek, located near Creal Springs.
"Based on the available information, we have concluded that the alternative to obtain treated or raw water from the Rend Lake Conservancy District is an option available to both Marion and the Lake of Egypt Water District," wrote Col. Raymond Midkiff of the Corps of Engineers.
"Raw water from Cedar Lake is an option available to LEWD. I recommend that Marion and LEWD together and alone enter into good faith negotiations with these water supply entities to determine if these alternatives remain feasible," Midkiff wrote.
Butler said the city of Marion has been pursuing a new water source for the growing town since 1989. Marion has selected and purchased roughly 1,500 acres - at a cost of nearly $3 million - as the site of the future lake. When asked when he would like to see a resolution to the water issue, Butler responded, "yesterday."
Meanwhile the city will follow the suggestion of the Army Corps of Engineers and begin talks with officials at Rend Lake.
"That is what they want us to do, so that is what we will do," Butler said. "But of course we would prefer to have our own water supply."
Marion Water Commissioner Robert "Dog" Connell said he opposes the Rend Lake option because it would make too many communities dependent on one water source.
"It's not good policy to keep all your eggs in one basket," Connell said.
Connell contends a disruption to the supply line would leave multiple Southern Illinois residents in jeopardy of being stranded without an alternative source, which he said a new Marion reservoir could provide.
Gary McKay, project manager at the Louisville Army Corps of Engineers said, there is still an opportunity for Marion to offer a more compelling reason as to why it needs its own new water source. But as the cards are stacked now, the corps would not rule in the city's favor.
McKay said adverse effects on aquatic life and wildlife also were considered during the review.
The Sugar Creek reservoir would inundate 6.2 miles of Sugar Creek, 1.1 miles of tributaries and 3 miles of Maple Branch. Additionally, more than 40 acres of wetlands would be lost to the damming of the area, according to the Army Corps of Engineers.
By contrast, obtaining water from Rend Lake or Cedar Lake would result in temporary disturbances from pipeline crossings, with minimal wetland impacts.
"Essentially this is a balancing act between the project goals and the environmental consequences," McKay said.
nicole.sack@thesouthern.com
(618) 529-5454 ext. 5816 Published on: Wednesday, August 9, 2006 7:04 AM CDT TheSouthern.com encourages readers to interact with one another.
The comments below are from readers of TheSouthern.com and in no way represent the views of The Southern Illinoisan or Lee Enterprises.
Julie wrote on August 11, 2006 8:44 AM: "If someone is truly concerned about the children in Marion, they should make sure that these kids are taught better than to believe "As far as wetlands, they are breeders of mosquitos,ticks and other insects that are harmful to humans." Wetlands are the kidneys of our planet, which cleanse and purify our natural water supply, not to mention support an amazing array of species, all of which are important to natural functioning ecosystems. Anyone who is interested in Mayor Butler's record can contact the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation and find out why he was disbarred as an attorney. It has to do with disgraceful, dishonest actions to enrich himself at the expense of others. Do you know how hard it is for an attorney to get disbarred? This is not an offensive or inappropriate comment to anyone interested in the truth. It is a matter of public record."
Duane Short wrote on August 10, 2006 8:20 PM: "As Marion's residents and businesses consume water, plant and animals species, including Lampetra aepyptera, face extinction. Illinois’ water storing and filtering wetlands have all but disappeared along with their natural inhabitants. Water conservation measures and sharing water is a much more sensible, far less expensive, and environmentally sound solution than building a reservoir that would negate all the aforementioned benefits. Gary McKay states the Corp’s case quite well. Marion's water commissioner seems not to understand hydrology, biology, ecology and the fact that water and eggs are, altogether, two quite different things. Was his argument when Wal-Mart came to town... “We should not have all our consumers eggs in one retail store’s cooler.” I doubt it and I just bet Mayor Butler did not warn Wal-Mart about Marion’s “perilous” water shortage woes. One should not kill the truth, plants, or animals just to get one’s way. Science is the best tool humans have to cool otherwise hot and biased heads. Science indicates a reservoir that would destroy Sugar Creek and its associated wetlands is simply not wise or needed."
Barb McKasson, Sierra Club Shawnee Group Chair wrote on August 10, 2006 1:53 PM: “For nearly two decades, local Sierra Club members and property owners have worked to promote alternatives to the proposed Marion dam. If built, the dam would destroy Sugar Creek, one of the last free-flowing streams in the region, and habitat for endangered wildlife. The recent letter from the Army Corps to the City of Marion makes clear that the destruction of Sugar Creek is unnecessary, given alternative water supply options, and that the harm to our Southern Illinois environment would be substantial. In a July 14th letter to Marion Mayor Robert Butler, the Corps wrote: “water from the Rend Lake Conservancy District is an option available to Marion alone or available to both Marion and Lake of Egypt Water Reclamation District (LEWD). Also, raw water from Cedar Lake is an option available to LEWD. I recommend that Marion and LEWD together and alone enter into good faith negotiations with these water supply entities to determine if these alternatives remain feasible.” And “These pipeline alternatives would result in substantially smaller impacts to aquatic resources.” We applaud the Army Corps for their honest analysis, and common-sense recommendation. Rend Lake and Cedar Lake are among the existing impoundments in our region that could potentially supply Marion with water at substantially lower cost, without displacing landowners, and without destroying Sugar Creek, a unique Southern Illinois natural resource. Sierra Club is committed to working with the City of Marion and regional leaders to plan for Marion’s water supply to provide reliable, quality drinking water at reasonable cost, while protecting the natural beauty and heritage of our region.”
Bob wrote on August 10, 2006 11:29 AM: "This Marion Lake project was never about securing water for Marion. It was always about making a recreation lake to benefit developers who are cronies of Mayor Butler. Check the record: First they acquired property and tried to get a Permit to build the recreation lake. When they could not obtain a Permit, they teamed up with Butler and began the chorus for the very same lake, but as a municipal water supply. They have since manipulated the water quality in Marion along with the minds of its citizens. Hooking up to Rend Lake has always been the most sensible solution."
Not Surprised wrote on August 10, 2006 7:24 AM:"It's amazing that the federal government decided that the Centennial Tank Farm (a break-out storage facility for the pipeline mentioned in the article)built on one of the highest hills near Creal Springs will have no ill effect on the environment (they say, "Don't worry about the New Madrid Eartquake Zone, the toxic fumes, or the eyesore"), yet they have determined that a new LAKE near Creal Springs will be detrimental to our clean water supply! I'm not surprised that the big oil companies always win their environmental impact decisions while small municipalities are "dying of thirst" in red tape. If you haven't seen the Tank Farm, I recommend a drive by.....certainly not a southern Illinois gemstone and certainly not the beneficial economic machine it was claimed to be. "
Bill Crabtree wrote on August 10, 2006 1:32 AM: "Still no solution to the water problem. We end up driving around in dirty cars every year because the car washes are forced to close due to the lack of water. You think Simmons will be told he can't water the grass at his baseball stadium though? Nope, it will use the water we already don't have, while the citizens who actually pay taxes get stiffed again. Still think there isn't a problem with the priorities of Butler and his cronies?"
"Not surprised" wrote on August 09, 2006 7:38 PM: "I could have told you back in 1989 that this was never going to happen. The only person who ever really wanted to see this thing done was Mayor Butler. They're may have been a few people who backed this, but overall, it never really had a large amount of support. "
Donna Hudgens wrote on August 09, 2006 2:20 PM: "Have these powers that be tasted our Marion water? It not only tastes bad but stinks as well. No wonder stores are selling bottled water like crazy. As far as Rend lake water , it tastes just as bad. How can it be healthy to drink such water? Where is the concern for the health of our children instead of crawdads. How can you compare the contribution of humans to the world to the contribution of crawdads. As far as wetlands, they are breeders of mosquitos,ticks and other insects that are harmful to humans. It seems like the ones that are opposed to the lake have an ax to grind with Mayor Butler and don't care who they hurt in the process."
Down in Egypt wrote on August 09, 2006 10:14 AM: "You're forgetting that up until a few years ago the Rend Lake Conservancy Board operated more like a criminal organization than a public body interested in doing the public good. The history of corruption associated with the RCLD has barely been scratched by the local news media. That by itself is one of the major reasons why Butler has never trusted RLCD. But the other question is whether Rend Lake actually has enough water to add another 30,000 customers, plus the new ethanol plant, plus the new coal mine/power plant slated near Johnston City, plus any new industry, etc. Cedar Lake? Come on, it makes no sense for Marion to bow down to Carbondale's anti-Marion city manager. This is the city that's sued Marion over the mall and is about to sue Carterville. It's Carbondale's way or the highway. It would be stupid for Marion to give them any leverage that would be used against them. I'm not being paranoid. Read the recent report by the Jackson County industrial group. All they do is lament the fact that Jackson County is losing its leadership position to Marion and Williamson County, and all would be better if somebody would provide them with more funding. Both Marion and Carbondale built industrial parks around 1976. Since then Marion has built three more industrial parks while Carbondale still hasn't filled theirs. Right now Marion is the county seat of the largest county in Southern Illinois outside the MetroEast. It's the largest retail trade center even surpassing Carbondale. This is where the major job growth is occurring. For Marion to place its future in the hands of small-minded politicians in neighboring no-growth counties is ridiculous."
No Brain Water wrote on August 09, 2006 7:46 AM: "Marion residents have been putting up with this type of kimchee for a long time. Butler has been told time and again that he wasnt gonna be able to use sugar creek. Yet this man stubbornly holds out for 17 years, and then says he will indeed open talks with rend lake. This couldve and shouldve been done years ago. Butler is an egotisical outdated spoiled man with no real concern for what others want, or deem to be true. Hopefully next time im in marion i can get a good glass of tap water. New blood in marion govt is whast is really needed. THAT would be a boon to marion!!!!! "
posted by Duane Short | 8/11/2006 04:30:00 PM
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