Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott announces $230,000 Grant for major restoration project on creek in historic Springdale Cemetery in Peoria

PEORIA --- Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Doug Scott visited historic Springdale Cemetery today to announce a $230,000 grant for a major restoration project for Springdale Creek, including erosion control measures and additional vegetation planting.

 

"This grant to the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission will help stabilize and restore the creek to its natural beauty and build upon the work of hundreds of volunteers who have contributed to the rebirth of this beautiful place, as well as reduce pollution and sedimentation impacting the Illinois River," said Director Scott.

 

The grant from federal Section 319 Clean Water Act funds, allocated through the Illinois EPA, will be supplemented by additional work performed by employees of the Springdale Foundation, the Peoria Park District, the City of Peoria and Peoria County, which jointly took over administration of the cemetery in 2003 under an intergovernmental agreement to reverse prior years of neglect. The project also anticipates up to 800 hours of labor by volunteers will be contributed, including assisting in planting native species, helping cut and clear woody debris, collecting and sowing seeds, and assisting in periodic prescribed burning.

 

"Springdale is a unique part of our community's legacy. I know that I speak for many people in saying State government participation in restoring and preserving Springdale is very much appreciated," said Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis.

 

"What has happened at Springfield is an outstanding team effort that includes hundreds, if not thousands of volunteers, cooperative local governments and significant help from the State of Illinois. It show that remarkable things can be done when individuals and groups work together for a common goal," said Peoria County Board Chair David Williams.

 

"The work that will be accomplished with this project is of great benefit to Springdale itself, but we should also note that is important part of the larger effort to restore our majestic river bluffs and the Illinois River itself," said Peoria Park District President Timothy Cassidy

 

Infrastructure in the cemetery, including grave sites, are currently threatened by continued erosion of the streambank and failing of old grade control structures as well as erosion and pollutants carried by stormwater into the creek and eventually into the Illinois River.

 

Restoration will include rip-rap and erosion blankets, log checks, resloping, vegetation and other engineering techniques to stabilize 2,000 feet of the creek.

 

In addition, the project includes an education outreach component, including development of brochures and workshops that will educate the public on the impacts of nonpoint source pollution, especially stream erosion such as that impacting Springdale Creek. The volunteers will also be called upon to help implement the education program.

 

The Clean Water Act Section 319 funding received by the Illinois is for projects to address "nonpoint source" pollution, which is caused by rainfall or snowmelt picking up and carrying both natural and human-made pollutants and depositing them into lakes and streams.

 

Since 1990, more than 300 nonpoint source pollution prevention projects have been funded through Section 319 grants awarded by Illinois EPA. The Agency estimates that these projects have reduced annual loads to Illinois lakes and streams by at least 300,000 tons of sediment, 6,000 pounds of phosphorus and 12,000 pounds of nitrogen.

 

In the Peoria/Tri-County area, IEPA has awarded four grants in Peoria County, four in Woodford County and six in Tazewell County, starting in 1994, for a total of $3.1 million.

 

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