[BCNnet] URGENT! -Calls & E-mails needed re L. Calumet marina!

Mon, 6 May 2002 08:34:53 EDT

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Dear BCNnet,

The Illinois International Port District (IIPD) has applied to the US Army 
Corps of Engineers (USACE) for a permit to build a 1,000 power boat marina on 
Lake Calumet. The impact that such a facility would have on bird species 
which use Lake Calumet as habitat would be considerable, to say the least.

The sneaky part is that the IIPD is attempting to circumvent the usual 
individual permitting process (which requires public notice and a 30 day 
comment period), by instead opting to apply for a "Letter of Permission" 
procedure from the USACE. This procedure requires notification to only a 
limited number of "invited" government agencies. USACE regulations state that 
this procedure applies if  "proposed work would not have significant 
individual & cumulative impact on environmental values, and should encounter 
no appreciable opposition."

I would STRONGLY argue that this project would have significant impact on 
environmental values, and that strong opposition to such a project exists. 
Thus far, the USACE appears to be agreeable to the "Letter of Permission" 
approach, and to be working hand in hand with the IIPD.

Calls & E-mails to Ron Abrant at the USACE protesting this inappropriate 
procedure ARE NEEDED ON MONDAY & TUESDAY (THE "LETTER OF PERMISSION" COMMENT 
PERIOD ENDS MAY 7th) at:

Phone: 312-353-6400 x-4037
E-mail:   ron.j.abrant@usace.army.mil

It couldn't at all hurt to contact your senators & congressmen either. Good 
luck, and thanks in advance for your help.

Sincerely,
Walter Marcisz, Chicago, Cook Co.
WJMarcisz@aol.com 

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<HTML>Dear BCNnet,
 
 The Illinois International Port District (IIPD) has applied to the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for a permit to build a 1,000 power boat marina on Lake Calumet. The impact that such a facility would have on bird species which use Lake Calumet as habitat would be considerable, to say the least.
 
 The sneaky part is that the IIPD is attempting to circumvent the usual individual permitting process (which requires public notice and a 30 day comment period), by instead opting to apply for a "Letter of Permission" procedure from the USACE. This procedure requires notification to only a limited number of "invited" government agencies. USACE regulations state that this procedure applies if &nbsp;"proposed work would not have significant individual &amp; cumulative impact on environmental values, and should encounter no appreciable opposition."
 
 I would STRONGLY argue that this project would have significant impact on environmental values, and that strong opposition to such a project exists. Thus far, the USACE appears to be agreeable to the "Letter of Permission" approach, and to be working hand in hand with the IIPD.
 
 Calls &amp; E-mails to Ron Abrant at the USACE protesting this inappropriate procedure ARE NEEDED ON MONDAY &amp; TUESDAY (THE "LETTER OF PERMISSION" COMMENT PERIOD ENDS MAY 7th) at:
 
 Phone: 312-353-6400 x-4037
 E-mail: &nbsp;&nbsp;ron.j.abrant@usace.army.mil
 
 It couldn't at all hurt to contact your senators &amp; congressmen either. Good luck, and thanks in advance for your help.
 
 
 Sincerely,
 Walter Marcisz, Chicago, Cook Co.
 WJMarcisz@aol.com </HTML>

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