[BCNnet] Plum Island saved by IAS
Rbdoeker@aol.com
Rbdoeker@aol.com
Tue, 23 Mar 2004 09:09:53 EST
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The first part of the article in today's Chicago Tribune.
Randi Doeker
Chicago
Eagles' winter home snared from builders
By Michael Hawthorne
Tribune staff reporter
Published March 23, 2004
UTICA, Ill. -- Under pressure from eagle watchers and other conservationists,
developers have abandoned their plans to build cabins and a marina on an
island in the Illinois River below the sandstone bluffs of Starved Rock State Park.
As of Wednesday, the new owner of Plum Island is expected to be the Illinois
Audubon Society, which will preserve it for bald eagles that gather here
during the winter to feed in open water below a nearby lock and dam.
Money for the $350,000 land purchase--scheduled to close Wednesday--is being
provided by a foundation best known for its grants to install energy-efficient
lighting in public schools. The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation
stepped in after opponents of the proposed development enlisted Lt. Gov. Pat
Quinn, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help block
the project.
In recent years, Plum Island has become one of the most popular spots near
Chicago to see bald eagles, a once-endangered species that has made a dramatic
comeback since the pesticide DDT was banned in the 1970s. More than 80 eagles
perch on the island during afternoons between November and March, but most
leave the area after the river thaws.
"We felt it would be a shame for people to look down at the island from
Starved Rock and see cabins instead of eagles," said Marilyn Campbell, executive
director of the Illinois Audubon Society.
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<DIV>The first part of the article in today's Chicago Tribune.</DIV>
<DIV>Randi Doeker</DIV>
<DIV>Chicago</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>Eagles' winter home snared from builders</STRONG><BR><BR><!-- B=
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END RELATED CONTENT RAIL --><FONT id=3Dbyline>By Michael Hawthorne<BR></FON=
T><FONT id=3Dtitleline>Tribune staff reporter<BR></FONT><FONT id=3Ddate>Publ=
ished March 23, 2004</FONT><BR><BR><FONT id=3Dtext>UTICA, Ill. -- <!-- START=
LEAD -->Under pressure from eagle watchers and other conservationists, deve=
lopers have abandoned their plans to build cabins and a marina on an island=20=
in the Illinois River below the sandstone bluffs of Starved Rock State Park.=
<BR><BR>As of Wednesday, the new owner of Plum Island is expected to be the=20=
Illinois Audubon Society, which will preserve it for bald eagles that gather=
here during the winter to feed in open water below a nearby lock and dam.<B=
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- START REST -->Money for the $350,000 land purchase--scheduled to close Wed=
nesday--is being provided by a foundation best known for its grants to insta=
ll energy-efficient lighting in public schools. The Illinois Clean Energy Co=
mmunity Foundation stepped in after opponents of the proposed development en=
listed Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the=
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban D=
evelopment to help block the project.<BR><BR>In recent years, Plum Island ha=
s become one of the most popular spots near Chicago to see bald eagles, a on=
ce-endangered species that has made a dramatic comeback since the pesticide=20=
DDT was banned in the 1970s. More than 80 eagles perch on the island during=20=
afternoons between November and March, but most leave the area after the riv=
er thaws.<BR><BR>"We felt it would be a shame for people to look down at the=
island from Starved Rock and see cabins instead of eagles," said Marilyn Ca=
mpbell, executive director of the Illinois Audubon Society.<BR></FONT></DIV>=
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