116 Hamilton Place Vernon Hills, IL 60061-1041 July 16, 1999
	Sierra Club Woods & Wetlands Group

Dear Ms. Gordon:

Please extend the comment period for the above referenced application.

We would like to offer substantive comments regarding the merits of the site, and have not had adequate time since we became aware of the application to obtain the supporting data. This includes:

Species Inventory A short hike at the site revealed species indicative of a rich native ecosystem where endangered plants and animals might occur: Prairie Dock, Purple Coneflower, Yellow Coneflower, Spiderwort, Milkweed, Goldenrod, bunch grasses, and an abundance of frogs and other wildlife. I have contacted you, the USFWS, and the IDNR to ascertain when the most recent species inventory was done, and what species were listed. In the time available I have been unable to secure either such a document, or any documentation, or corroboration of such documentation provided by the applicant, to support that such an inventory has been rigorously generated or verified within the last year or two. Further, those agencies have responded that they either have no information regarding the site, or will not be able to respond within the comment period. We would like to have the opportunity to comment with the benefit of a recent species inventory of the site. Under the Freedom of Information Act, please forward us such data as provided to you by these agencies, or the applicant or its consultants.

Water Use and Disposal Our present understanding is that the proposed facility will intake around 100,000 gallons of water per day. This is not mentioned in the application notification. We would like to know the intended source for this supply of water, what contaminants in the water not suitable for the process will be removed, how those contaminants will be disposed of, what the quality of the discharge stream will be, where it will be discharged, and what the consequences of such discharge and disposal will likely be. Because these materials might include radioactive material from the aquifer, and will likely be at elevated temperature, or as water vapor with micro-particulates, we would like to know that it will not adversely impact our waters. We are also concerned that such great usage not overdraw our quota of Lake Michigan or aquifer water and divert it into the overburdened Des Plaines River. Under the Freedom of Information Act, please forward me such data as provided to you by these agencies, or the applicant or its consultants.

Thank you for considering these requests. Sincerely, Evan L. Craig Chair