MWRDGC'S SUPPORT OF THE USE ATTAINABILITY ANALYSIS FOR THE CHICAGO AREA WATERWAYS

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) conducted a Use Attainability Analysis (UAA) of the Chicago Area Waterways (CAWs) from 2002 to 2007. Following the completion of their UAA study, the IEPA submitted to the Illinois Pollution Control Board (IPCB) two new aquatic life use designations and three new recreational use designations, along with water quality standards to protect those uses. MWRDGC has serious concerns regarding the proposed uses of the CAWs which are man-made and modified waterways in which flow is dominated by treated municipal effluents. From the onset of the UAA study, the MWRDGC has remained committed to providing technical and scientific support to the IEPA to determine appropriate uses for the CAWs. There are still major studies ongoing that will not be completed for another 18 to 20 months that will provide a necessary scientific and technical basis for appropriate aquatic life use and recreational use designations.