[BCNnet] BCNnet: action needed to save Banner Marsh nr. Peoria from a strip mine

[Birdchris at aol.com]

Protect  Banner Natural Areas! 

A strip mine between a conservation area and  wildlife preserve?  That’s what 
we’ll see if Capital Resources Development  Corporation gets its way. 

Visit www.saveoureagles.org now to register  your support to protect natural 
areas in Banner, Illinois!  

Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn is organizing an on-line petition drive to  
protect an area along the Illinois  River  from a proposed strip mine.  It’s all 
part of an effort to help the “Heart  of Illinois Sierra Club” and its local 
petition drive already underway.  

Capital Resources Development Corporation wants to mine a 643-acre tract  
between Rice Lake State Conservation Area and the Banner Marsh State Fish and  
Wildlife Area.  The proposed site is also less than one mile away from the 
Illinois  River.  

Not only could strip-mining operations threaten American Bald  Eagle and 
American White Pelican habitat, heavy metals and other mine waste  could pollute 
waterways.    Local residents fear a mine would also  drain local drinking 
water wells and even rupture Banner’s sewage treatment  plant. 

The Banner area is winter home to hundreds of bald eagles  and a major stop 
on the migratory path of the American White Pelican.  Great Blue Herons, 
ospreys and many other birds also call the area home,  with both Rice Lake  and the 
Banner Marsh sites offering a wide range of recreation and nature-based  
tourism opportunities.  If you’re a hunter, hiker, bird water or even  boater, log 
on to www.saveoureagles.org and help keep this scenic and special  area safe. 

Christine Williamson
Chicago,  Cook
birdchris at aol.com
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://screamer.ece.iit.edu/pipermail/bcnnet/attachments/20050727/4b572eb4/attachment.htm