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Gov. Blagojevich signs
groundbreaking dam safety legislation
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New law creates warning and
enforcement standards at publicly owned dams throughout the state
[August 03, 2007]
SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed first-of-its-kind
legislation Thursday that focuses on improving public safety on
rivers throughout the state.
House Bill 33, sponsored by state Rep.
Tom Cross, R-Plainfield, and state Sen. Arthur Wilhelmi, D-Crest
Hill, creates new warning and enforcement standards on public
waterways near dams. The law gives the Illinois Department of
Natural Resources the ability to establish guidelines for the
placement of signs and buoys around 32 publicly owned dams on
navigable waterways, such as the Fox, Rock and Kankakee rivers.
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 "This important legislation will make people more aware of the
dangers that these dams possess and create better warnings so they
can avoid these hazards," said Blagojevich. "Too many people have
died preventable deaths near dams. We want people to enjoy
themselves on the water, but more importantly -- we want them to be
safe."
The legislation was introduced in the wake of two tragedies at
the Glen Palmer in Yorkville that claimed the lives of three people
in May of 2006 and three additional deaths at a low-head dam in
Wilmington in August of last year.
"Every year lives are lost because a boater, kayaker or an
individual fishing gets too close to a dam or attempts to cross the
dam and gets caught in a recirculating current that is similar to an
intense washing machine of rocks and logs," said Cross, House
sponsor of the bill. "Not only did Alyssa lose her dad that day, but
two brothers, Bruce and Mark Sperling, lost their lives attempting
to save him. Alyssa has told me many times that she does not want
others to have to go through what she went through when she lost her
dad and is pleased that this legislation is now law in Illinois."
"I am happy to be part of this legislation that makes our rivers
safer," said Wilhelmi, Senate sponsor. "Now Illinoisans may spend
time enjoying the rivers without worrying about the dangers posed by
dams."
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 Last September, the Department of Natural Resources and the
Capital Development Board contracted engineering firm Consoer,
Townsend, Envirodyne to create safety recommendations at publicly
owned dams throughout Illinois.
The dam safety report, which was released on July 20, presents
options and recommendations to improve the safety of boaters,
fishermen and other recreational river users near 25 low-head or
run-of-the-river dams on publicly navigable waterways. Not all of
the options apply to each of the dams surveyed. The range of options
includes:
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Installing temporary rock fill.
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Dam removal.
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Constructing a bypass channel either beside the dam or in the
river.
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Installing a riffle pool, a series of boulders that help reduce
the dangerous current below the dam.
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Modifying the face of the dam.
The study will be used to help the Department of Natural
Resources develop new administrative rules on buoys and signs.
The governor's proposed fiscal 2008 budget includes $143,000 to
help implement dam safety guidelines and $10 million in capital
funding for larger construction projects at dams, such as renovation
or removal.
The law goes into effect immediately.
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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