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U.S. EPA approves new water quality standards for Chicago River System

Release Date: 11/07/2011
Contact Information: Anne Rowan, 312-353-9391, [email protected] Phillippa Cannon, 312-353-6218,[email protected]

For Immediate Release
No. 11 - OPA105

CHICAGO (Nov. 6, 2011) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved the State of Illinois' new and revised water quality standards for five segments of the Chicago and Calumet Rivers.

"In May of this year, US EPA notified the State of Illinois that upgraded water quality standards were necessary to protect the health and safety of the increasing number of people who use these rivers for recreation," said EPA Regional Administrator Susan Hedman. "We are pleased that Illinois acted quickly to adopt new standards, which will help to further the transformation of the Chicago river system from sewage canal to valuable recreational and economic asset."

"Illinois' rivers and lakes are some of our most important natural resources, and families should be able to enjoy activities like boating, fishing and swimming," said Governor Pat Quinn. "I am pleased that portions of the Chicago and Calumet Rivers will now be more available to people for recreational use, and we are committed to continuing our work to make Illinois' waterways clean and safe for the public."

"Chicago is a world-class city that deserves a world-class river," said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. "I am glad that the EPA's notification earlier this year was met with swift action by state and local officials. By raising water quality standards, we can improve the waterways in and around Chicago and make them more accessible for future generations."

"The city of Chicago should have a safe, clean river that can be enjoyed by residents and tourists alike," said U.S. Senator Mark Kirk. "These revised water quality standards are a step in the right direction for making the Chicago River as healthy as any in America. I applaud our state and local officials who acted upon the EPA's May notification."

"The Chicago River has been polluted for far too long," said Attorney General Lisa Madigan. "These new standards will clean it so that it can be a vital natural resource enjoyed by people throughout the Chicago area."

"Today's action reaffirms the commitment of the EPA and the State of Illinois to help ensure Chicago's river system can be a clean and safe destination for Chicagoans," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "We are investing heavily to create recreational options around the river so that every Chicagoan has access to clean public spaces. These improved standards will help make recreational opportunities a more enjoyable experience."

The approved standards apply to the North and South Branches of the Chicago River, the North Shore Channel, the Cal-Sag Channel and the Little Calumet River. EPA continues to review the other new and revised water quality standards that the State of Illinois has proposed for the Chicago Area Waterway System and the Lower Des Plaines River.

Information about US EPA's action and a map showing the affected segments of the Chicago Area Waterway System are available at https://www.epa.gov/region5/chicagoriver/