Releases 

Tuesday, July 25th 
        7:30 p.m. 
        Antioch Plan Commission
        874 Main St. (at Orchard)
        Antioch, IL  60002

To be heard by the Commission, write a letter to them in advance on the topic you want to address.

• We assume that they are starting over with a different, or at least slightly changed plan. Hints are that they might abandon their Rt. 173 entrance. Since this is the area of greatest impact to Redwing Slough and the Antioch Bog, it would be an improvement (although it would be bad for Savage Rd). However, the high quality savannas, woods, and other wetlands are scattered around the rest of the property, and still imperiled. We need to find out how the USACOE will respond, and what our next opportunity will be to formally comment on the new plan.

Thursday, May 25th 
7:30 p.m. 
Antioch Plan Commission
874 Main St. (at Orchard)
Antioch, IL  60002

• At the April 13 meeting, the developer suggested that the oaks do not constitute a savanna because cows have grazed the flora beneath them. This is untrue. Savannas are defined by a structure of prairie punctuated by clusters of native trees, and typically do support unusual native flora. Unlike the shallow rooted european turf grass common to lawns, native plants have deep roots, survive years of grazing abuse, and are restored by fire. These savannas have been preserved from invasive species, not destroyed, by occasional grazing, as would have occurred were native bison still present. As proof, native flowers are presently blooming under many of the oak savanna areas.
• The developer is asking for variances to deviate from village ordinances for the design of nearly every proposed street in their plan. They say that it is to minimize impacts to the sensitive ecology by building cul de sacs and unusual street geometries. The ordinances do not harm the developer, and variances should not be granted. Instead, the developer should pursue conservation development, and if the development is pursued, cluster the homes entirely away from the sensitive areas rather than trying to penetrate them and build homes on them.
• The developer claimed to have rights to develop upland areas of the property. In fact, the developer does not own the property, and only has rights by proxy from the owner. Neuman may not develop even the upland areas in such a way that causes undue harm to the recognized high quality wetlands. 
• Neuman claims to be preserving the ADID wetlands at the north end of the property by building a road across it at a narrow point. Rather than destroy these wetlands, and severely impact the contiguous wetlands area with future runoff and other impacts, they should choose another area for their development, as required by section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
• The developer has identified 900 trees over 10 inches likely to be impacted. They should stop trying to convince the Commission that they are preserving wilderness areas by building on them. They have chosen to save picturesque "key trees" and targeted those in declining health for removal, neglecting the fact that many birds rely on dead trees for homes and food. 
• The development, and other developments in the area, are projected to worsen the already terrible congestion on Rt. 173 from grade E to grade F. Why should the desires of developers to further burden our roads be granted when the roads cannot support their present load?

Tell the Commission:

• The impact fees will only cover a fraction of the costs of the several new schools that will be needed to serve this huge development, and that Antioch residents should not be asked to bear that burden.
• The site has outstanding ecological value, and most of it should be preserved by the Village and the Forest Preserves. The site features:
• Antioch Bog - outstanding in the state.
• Oak Savannas - with high quality flora.
• Pine Forests - indigenous white pines
• Frog Wetlands - a vanishing inhabitant of Illinois.
• Lakes relied upon by spectacular migrating waterfowl: Herons, rare ducks and other wading birds.
• Most of the soils on the site are unsuitable for construction, and if allowed, construction should be limited to and and clustered on presently stable soils. The developer should not be allowed to excavate and compact large volumes of existing soils because these soils presently protect the sensitive wildlife and wetland areas, and prevent extreme runoff from the property to adjacent areas.
• Enforce the minimum buffer zones required by the WDO.
• Do not permit this development to further overburden our roads. Require mass transit features in the site design.
• Several areas of Antioch have been denied municipal water because of insufficient supply. They should be serviced before service is offered to this and other new developments.
• Pollution from the Antioch Superfund site has not been monitored for all pollutants that are suspected to be infiltrating the Antioch water supply. This should be investigated before exposing new communities to potential risks that might persist.

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Savanna Panorama

Activists

Kathy lost her battle with cancer in 2000. She believed that the number of others in her community with cancer cast suspicion on the Antioch water quality. One of the town's wells closest to a superfund site was shut down without explanation, and the village refuses to divulge the details.

Bill Holleman and John Massman. 

Citizens willing to speak out and organize public involvement are crucial in protecting our environment and our health.
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