Contacts
Rose Ragland,
IL DNR.217-782-2602
Julie Morin,
USFWS, 612-713-5156
The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking comments from the public on a draft
Environmental Assessment (EA) for construction of a new marina at Grafton,
Illinois. Two action alternatives are evaluated in the EA along with the “No
Action” alternative required under National Environmental Policy
Act.
Under the
preferred alternative, a new full-service marina would be built. This marina
would consist of 277 new slips, rock dike, excavation to create a harbor,
floating breakwater, two floating buildings and a fuel dock which will
offer fuel sales, concessions, groceries, hardware, shower facilities,
and laundry. Other amenities may include electrical outlets, data ports,
pay telephones, ATM, vending machines, visitor information and maps, laundry
service, convenience store, and restroom/shower facility. The parking lot
would consist of approximately 100 parking spaces for cars and an additional
60 parking spaces for vehicle/trailers.
A second
alternative being considered is to design and construct a new marina for
transient boaters only. This would include approximately 90 new slips with
all the amenities listed in the preferred alternative. Under the “No
Action” alternative, no new slips would be constructed.
The two action alternatives are also being reviewed under Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act. The area of potential effect for this undertaking
is the marina site in the City of Grafton, Illinois. The public is requested
to inform the Service at the address below about archaeological sites, buildings
and structures, historic places, cemeteries, and traditional uses of the area
that could influence decisions about the project.
Printed
copies of the draft EA are available from Rose Ragland, Illinois Department
of Natural Resources, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, Illinois
62702-1271; telephone: 217/782-2602; e-mail: rragland@dnrmail.state.il.us.
The draft EA is also available on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Regional website
at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/NEPA.
Copies may
also be found at the Grafton City Hall, 118 East Main St., Grafton, IL
62037, (618) 786-3347.
Written
comments on the plan are welcome and can be submitted through June 27,
2005 to Rose Raglund at the address above.
The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for
conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their
habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service
manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses
545 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special
management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 63 Fish
and Wildlife Management offices and 81 ecological services field stations.
The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species
Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant
fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and
helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees
the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions
of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish
and wildlife agencies.
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