On January 9, 2009 the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) published a press release regarding the status of Illinois endangered and threatened species.  Good news circulates fast, as the Bald Eagle and Henslow's Sparrow are proposed to be de-listed from their current threatened status!  This recommendation is a direct result of habitat preservation efforts and active management by the IDNR, the Endangered Species Protection Board (ESPB), the Nature Preserves Commission, and other partners in conservation.

Public education and environmental laws prohibiting the use of the pesticide DDT have assisted the recovery of the Bald Eagle, whose Illinois nesting numbers have improved from single-digits several decades ago, to more than 100 nests in each of the last several years.  The Henslow's Sparrow has benefited from increased habitat created as a result of the  Conservation Reserve Program .  The bird is now known to occur in 46 Illinois counties and has 10 or more populations numbering 20 or more breeding pairs within protected habitats.  The Henslow's Sparrow was listed as an endangered species in 1999 and its classification was improved to that of a threatened species in 2004.

 

Several other changes also proposed by the ESPB:

• The Plantain-Leaved Sedge, Hedge Hyssop, Smooth Softshell, Shawnee Rock Snail, Madonna Cave Springtail, Robust Springfly, Central Forestfly, a Leafhopper, and the Common Striped scorpion be added as endangered; while Blue Hearts, Wild Blue Larkspur, Black-Billed Cuckoo, Mudpuppy, and the Ornate Box Turtle are proposed to be added to the threatened list. 
• The Water-Pennywort, Seaside Crowfoot, Alkali Bulrush, a Sedge, Lined Sedge, Small Whorled Pogonia, Beach Pea, Millet Grass, Short-Sepaled Beard Tongue, Cinquefoil, White Mountain Mint, and Marsh St. John's Wort are proposed to be removed from their endangered classification; while the Sandhill Crane is proposed to be removed from the threatened list.  
• The status of the Supple-Jack, Galingale, Richardson's Rush, and Mississippi Kite would be improved from endangered to threatened; while the Common Moorhen, Loggerhead Shrike, Blanding's Turtle, Redspotted Sunfish, and Ottoe Skipper would move to endangered from threatened status. 

For a complete list of the ESPB's recommendations and additional references including the current list of endangered and threatened species approved in 2004, please visit the IDNR website.

 

An animal species is considered endangered in Illinois if it is in danger of extinction as a breeding species in the wild within all or a portion of its range in the state.  A species is considered threatened if the population is low enough or declining to the point that it likely will become an endangered species in the foreseeable future.

Over 30 people showed up for a day long soil erosion and sediment control workshop hosted by ENCAP, Inc. at the DeKalb County Farm Bureau Building in Sycamore, IL. Attendees received information on SESC rules and regulations, SWPPPs,  stormwater ordinances, best management practices, and the new proposed USEPA Effluent Limitation Guidelines. Participants included land development professionals, contractors, consultants, and a DeKalb County board member. The session was topped off by a tour of the ENCAP, Inc. office. A special thanks to Dean Johnson of the DeKalb County Soil & Water Conservation District for stopping by to inform us about the inspections he has been performing in DeKalb County. Don't miss a workshop Dean is hosting in Sycamore on March 10th. For more information and to register see our posting on the side panel or call Dean at 815-756-3237 x3.

 

If you are interested in our next SESC Seminar or setting up an in-house training session e-mail Jonathan Koepke at jkoepke@encapinc.net .

 

Thanks to all of our attendees!