The Eco-Justice Collaborative is hosting an update on the Middle Fork River situation. The event is Thursday, October 11, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm, at the Danville Public Library, 319 N Vermilion St, Danville. Some text adapted from the Facebook event:
WHY ATTEND?
(1) Hear updates on agency review and permitting for riverbank stabilization. This includes review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency; and the National Park Service.
(2) Learn about the impacts to the river from Dynegy’s massive armoring of riverbanks next to coal ash pits, and how to make your voice heard during the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ public comment period and the Illinois EPA’s public hearing.
(3) Find out what each gubernatorial candidate intends to do to protect the river and economic benefits the river brings to Vermilion County, Danville, and the State of Illinois.
BACKGROUND
Vistra+Dynegy is hoping agencies will approve their proposal to install a massive riverbank stabilization project next to two coal ash pits in the floodplain of the Middle Fork of the Vermilion in an attempt to keep the meandering river from eroding banks next to these pits. This would allow them to cap and leave toxic coal ash forever in the floodplain of Illinois’ only National Scenic River. But the magnitude of this project is causing the Illinois EPA, Bureau of Surface Water, to carefully evaluate impacts that could degrade the river
The event is co-sponsored by: Food & Water Watch – Midwest• Prairie Rivers Network • Protect the Middle Fork • Sierra Club Prairie Group – Illinois Chapter • Students for Environmental Concerns UIUC – SECS
CUP (Champaign Urbana Progressives) 