Press Release - Tuesday, July 11, 2006
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Illinois EPA director announces $20,000 grant to enable Litchfield to stabilize Walton Park Lake
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. --- Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Director Doug Scott announced today that the Agency has approved a $20,000 grant, which will enable the Montgomery County city of Litchfield to work on stabilizing the Walton Park Lake shoreline.
Walton Park was dedicated in 1929, and in recent years has been somewhat neglected. This project is part of Litchfield's plan to reclaim the park and lake, making it once again an enjoyable place for families and residents to gather. The City will be stabilizing shoreline around the lake using rip-rap and a geo-mesh to impede erosion. Slowing erosion in this manner will prolong the life of the lake and enhance water quality.
The grant is being provided through the Illinois EPA as part of Section 319 of the Federal Clean Water Act. The purpose of the Illinois EPA's Section 319 Program is to work with local government and other organizations to protect water quality in Illinois through the control of non-point source pollution. The program provides funds to implement projects that utilize cost-effective best management practices to protect Illinois' water resources.
"Such locally-based efforts make communities better places to live and work, improve the local economy and typify the basic premise of our Opportunity Returns initiative," said Governor Rod R. Blagojevich. "Availability of quality water resources for public recreational use is essential to a good quality of life and a strong economy."
"Walton Park Lake is an important recreational asset to Litchfield, and IEPA has been a great partner in helping restore and protect it," said State Sen. Deanna Demuzio (D-Carlinville).
"This is one of several lake protection and restoration projects that communities in my district are working with IEPA on for both public water supply and recreational use," said State Rep. Gary Hannig (D-Litch
field).
"Illinois lakes are great resources, which also provide wonderful recreational activities, especially during these summer months" said Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott. "Funding under the Section 319 Program makes restoration and maintenance of our lakes and rivers possible, so that communities can continue to enjoy activities like boating and swimming."
Opportunity Returns is Gov. Blagojevich's economic development plan designed to spur economic growth and create jobs in the region. The regional economic development plan is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois. Opportunity Returns contains tangible actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to business. Funding of natural resources improvements, such as those awarded through the 319 Program, make Illinois a better place to live and work.
During his administration, Gov. Blagojevich has been committed to improving the environment for Illinois citizens. As part of his 2006 State of the State address, the governor proposed a plan to drastically reduce mercury emissions from power plants by 90 percent by June 30, 2009. This ambitious plan to protect Illinois families from harmful mercury emissions will provide tougher standards than those proposed by the federal government.
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