News Briefs

Illinois & Michigan Canal Gets Congressional Approval

The House and Senate have passed legislation to establish the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor, a 100-mile linear historical park system in Chicago and Northeastern Illinois. The U.S. Senate passed S. 746 to establish the Corridor February 27, 1984 and the House of Representatives followed suit on H.R. 2014 on February 28.

The I. & M. Canal National Heritage Corridor runs from Navy Pier and Lake Calumet in Chicago to La-Salle/Peru on the Illinois River, following the major inland waterways and including the communities which border them. The old Illinois and Michigan Canal was used from 1848 to 1914.

The act creates a staffed commission to oversee the project's goal of preserving, enhancing and interpreting the natural, recreational, historic and economic resources of this area. The measure directs the National Park Service to produce interpretive guides, and advocates marketing of the Corridor's resources to encourage economic development.

"The bipartisan support which this legislation has received has been crucial to its success," said George Overton, Chairman of the Upper Illinois Valley Association, a not-for-profit business group that has been promoting the Corridor. "The united action of the Illinois delegation will serve as a model for future preservation and development projects," said Overton.

Senator Charles Percy (R-IL), chief sponsor of S. 746, was aided by Democratic Senator Alan Dixon in the effort to secure passage. Rep. Tom Corcoran (R-Ottawa) led the effort for H.R. 2014 with help from Rep. George O'Brien (R-Joliet) and the entire Illinois delegation. In addition, the Illinois General Assembly unanimously endorsed the concept, and Governor Thompson called it "the essence of responsible government serving the best interests of people."

The bill results from a 1981 National Park Service concept plan which identified 37 unique natural areas, 20 recreational and interpretive sites, over 200 historic structures and districts and numerous archaeological and geological attractions along the canal corridor.

Already a variety of projects have been initiated by public and private groups, including canoe trails, historic restorations, museums, industrial redevelopment projects and heritage festivals.

IAPD Officials Testify on Funds Legislation

Three top officials of the IAPD testified on legislation to continue the Land and Water Conservation Fund and related funds at a hearing February 29 before the Sub-Committee to the Interior and Related Agencies in Washington, D.C. Shown at the hearing are (from left): Dr. Ted Flickinger, IAPD Executive Director; Congressman Sidney Yates, Chicago; Ralph Cianchetti, Highland Park, a member of the IAPD Board of Directors; and Peter J. Koukos, Highland Park, a Past President of the IAPD and currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the NRPA. The IAPD spokesmen urged that Congress continue funding LWCF and also the Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery Program Fund and the Historic Preservation Fund. The three funds are the subject of H.R. 2837.

Land and Water Conservation Fund

The April, 1984, Local Participation Manual for the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is now available from the Department of Conservation. This manual contains the most current information and forms for the program and supercedes all previous manuals.

The manual governs the FY 1985 grant cycle, and all applications using old forms will be returned to the local agency with a request for revision. Note that the application deadline for FY 1985 grants is July 1, 1984.

Park, forest preserve and conservation districts are encouraged to contact the Department of Conservation at (217) 782-7481 for assistance prior to completion of their applications.

The first batch of catchable size rainbow trout raised at the new Sand Ridge State Fish Hatchery in Mason County will enable the Department of Conservation to expand the popular put-and-take trout program this spring by nearly three-fold.

Eleven state managed fishing areas will be stocked with approximately 27,000 rainbow trout, and will have opened for fishing April 14. The program previously was restricted to four sites and stock was purchased at private fish hatcheries.

The new state-of-the-art hatchery was dedicated in May 1983, and production should reach 50 percent of

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capacity sometime during the summer. Ultimately, the facility should produce approximately 50 million fish of 15 different species per year.

Sites scheduled for stocking this spring include: Coleta Trout Pond, Whiteside County, three acres, 5,000 fish; Siloam Springs State Park Lake, Adams County, 58 acres, 5,800 fish; Kickapoo State Park's Clear Lake, Vermilion County, 38 acres, 3,850 fish; Sam Dale State Park Pond, Wayne County, three acres, 1,000 fish; Silver Springs State Park's Big Lake, Kendall County, 16 acres, 4,100 fish; Piscasaw Creek, McHenry County, 500 fish; Kent Creek, Winnebago County, 500 fish; Apple River, JoDaviess County, 2,000 fish; Rock Creek, Kankakee County, 1,000 fish; Department of Transportation Lake, Sangamon County, 17 acres, 1,700 fish; and Ferne Clyffe Lake, Johnson County, 16 acres, 1,600 fish.

The fish will be approximately 10 inches long and average one-half pound each at stocking. There is no charge for fishing, but anglers must have a current license and a 1984 Salmon Stamp, unless they are 65 years old or older, under 16-years-old, blind, disabled or an Illinois resident on leave from the Armed Services.

For more information, contact the Department of Conservation, Division of Fish and Wildlife Resources, 524 S. Second Street, Springfield, IL 62706; or phone (217) 782-6424.

Spring Outdoor Leadership Course Set For May 18-20

The Second Annual Short Course for camp counselors, program specialists and other outdoor leaders will be held at the Lorado Taft Field Campus, Northern Illinois University, Oregon, IL, on the weekend of May 18-20, 1984.

The course will offer one undergraduate (CIOE 490) or graduate (CIOE 590) credit in education. The American Camping Association is cooperating with NIU in presenting the course.

To pre-register for the course or to request information, contact Director of Resident Programs, Lorado Taft Field Campus, Box 299, Oregon, IL 61061 (815/732-2111).

Taxpayers May Contribute Directly to Wildlife Fund

Taxpayers who don't expect a refund on this year's state income tax return can still contribute to non-game wildlife conservation, according to Carl Becker, Department of Conservation Natural Heritage Section manager.

Citizens who wish to contribute but don't expect a tax return, may do so by sending a check to the DOC, Non-Game Check-Off, Natural Heritage Section, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62706. The check should be made payable to the Department of Conservation with a notation that it is for the Check-Off fund.

June Is "Recreation And Parks Month"

Leisure agencies throughout Illinois are reminded that June is to be observed as "National Recreation and Parks Month." The National Recreation and Park Association is coordinating national observance of the month.

The NRPA will mail June programming guidebooks to all 4,300 local leisure service agencies, military recreators on installations in the United States and the leadership of the National Therapeutic Recreation Society.

The June programming guide lists scores of individuals and organizations which can be contacted for recreation, fitness and cultural programming kits and ideas.

For further information contact Martha Nudel at 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302 or call (703) 820-4940.

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