Ironically enough last week I wrote about an organization called "Open Lands" that promotes the use of public land and recreation. Sadly, this week I have to write about closed lands, the "closing" of the Vermillion River. Several people that I have talked to are in a state of shock and disbelief and the outdoor blogs are going nuts. Can they really close a river? The best paddling experience and white water in a 250 mile radius is now illegal to experience.
 
At the heart of the issue is the dam at the Buzzi-Unicem cement plant, near Oglesby, and the injuries and unfortunate deaths that have occurred there recently. As an avid paddler, I personally have felt the tug of the dam, but have been through it dozens of times without incident. Any time that I have seen a group of novice rafters being sent out by the raft rental company the warning about the dam is given loud and clear. The danger signs as you come up to the dam cannot be missed and are very clear as to what direction you should take. The water before the dam is very calm and anyone that does not want to position themselves to go down through the chute (the only safe way) has plenty of time to go back.  Paddling organizations are also quick to point out that not one of their members has ever had to be rescued. Personally I believe it is not the government's responsibility to protect one from one's self.
 
The danger of this dam does not seem like it would be a major issue to make safer. (see video link below). Dams like this are being removed or replaced in Illinois. There is an example of this happening in Yorkville right now. The dam across the Fox River is being made safer and they are adding a white water chute for fish as well as paddlers. 

Low head dam dangers
 
From what I am reading on the blogs, half of the paddlers say they can't close the river and the other half are saying they can. Believe it or not there is some really vague law pertaining to this. The calmest of these voices says that they DO have the right to close the river on their property and that it will have to be solved by an agreement between Buzzi-Unicem, the Illinois DNR, paddling organizations, and local governments. 

This is what the AWW (American White Water Association) says about Illinois navigability laws.
 
Another important part of this are laws that make property owners liable, which are probably the most to blame for the closure. I don't think I would want people going through my back yard, let alone over a dangerous dam, if I was subject to a law suit. The same can be said about the opposition to bike trails from adjoining land owners. From what I have read there is legislation that has been proposed that would go a long way toward solving this problem.
 
I will keep you posted. - Ray

While I am on the topic of our local resources, I continue to be amazed at how poorly our governmental agencies take care of the ones that we have. It was 3 years ago this summer that the I&M canal was washed out and closed 2 miles east of Utica. A 10 foot deep, 30 foot section of the towpath was washed out by heavy rain. Not one thing has been done, not even a temporary bypass, in 3 years to allow passage through this vital element of our area's tourism and recreation package. I biked out there today and took this picture.
 
Along the same lines there are many other local projects that are in desperate need of attention. The I & M Canal is covered thick with algae in the summer. We were told the canal would be dredged to allow passage of the canal boat at lock 14.  What has happened to the last 12 miles of the Grand Illinois Bike Trail between LaSalle and Bureau? This is all that is needed to connect the I & M Canal towpath to Hennepin Canal in order to complete the 300 mile long trail through Northern Illinois. It does seem that in other areas of our state they have an abundance of trails, parks and recreational opportunities. This can only happen if we communicate with our city, state and federal representatives. The media also has to play a bigger part in this. How does the washout and closure of our only bike trail not even get mentioned for such a long period of time? Everyone should write your representatives. - Ray
Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson
Senator Gary Dahl
Representative Frank Mautino