Mission Statement:
The Access Project works with government agencies and public and private landowners to provide safe, legal and adequate access for human powered watercraft to the waterways of Illinois, provides information to paddlers and the general public about access, and advocates the creation of regional systems of watertrails throughout Illinois
How we carry out this mission:
The Access Project of the Illinois Paddling Council has partnered with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (now the Regional Plannning Board) and Openlands to research, write and implement the Northeastern Illinois Regional Water Trail Plan.
We provide information about access, watertrails and Illinois water law and by publishing and distributing the NE IL Regional Water Trail Plan and the Northeastern Illinois Water Trails Map.
The Access Project works with Openlands to help organize water trail working groups composed of site owners and paddlers to implement the recommendations of NE IL Regional Water Trails Plan.
The Access Project supports the creation of watertrails around the state and has developed a A Paddlers Guide to Developing Watertrails
We work with paddlers and planners around the state to develop watertrails and provide letters of support to access providers seeking grants to acquire, build and improve access sites.
We provide stewardship for designated Illinois water trails by partnering with Openlands to create and sponsor Illinois Water TrailKeepers.
In recent years The Access Project has worked with the Lake County Forest Preserve District to open Sterling Lake and other inland lakes to paddlers, and with the DuPage County Forest Preserve District to allow paddlers to launch and land from forest preserves along Salt Creek.
In northwestern Illinois The Access Project has worked with local govenments to create watertrails on Yellow Creek and the Pecatonica River.
Access Resources
The Access Project provides information to paddlers and the general public about access sites, watertrails and Illinois water law.
Access
Logical Lasting Launchsites
A Guide to Boating and Canoe Access Development in Illinois
Illinois Boat Area Access Development Grant Program
The National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program
Water Trails
North American Water Trails at Sea Kayaker Magazine
Northeastern Illinois Water Trails at Openlands
Northeastern Illinois Water Trails at GORP
Nippersink Creek Water Trail
Pecatonica River Water Trail
Water Law
The List of Illinois Public Waters
WATER LAW AND RECREATIONAL ACCESS: SOME QUESTIONS, ANSWERS AND CONSIDERATIONS
written in 1998 by Gary R. Clark, IDNR Office of Water Resources, Ed Hoffman, IDNR Division of Planning
Legal Opinion on the definition of "Public waters or public bodies of water"
written by past Illinois Attorney General Neil F. Hartigan.
"Accordingly, it is my opinion that the phrase "public waters or public bodies of water", as used in "AN ACT" in relation to the regulation of the rivers, lakes and streams of the State of Illinois", includes those waters which with improvements could be rendered navigable and those waters which either connect with navigable waters or discharge into navigable waters..."
Advocacy
Support Cleaner Rivers NOW!
For the first time in thirty years, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has proposed stronger water quality standards for the Chicago Area Waterways and Lower Des Plaines River . The improved standards are essential to protect the growing number of recreational users and resident wildlife that depends on the quality of these river systems.
The new standards would:
- Require the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) to disinfect treated sewage that flows into our waterways from its North Side, Calumet and Stickney wastewater treatment plants. This would kill or greatly reduce pathogens, such as giardia and salmonella that can infect people and wildlife.
- Better regulate temperature and increase the amount of oxygen in the water to support fish, mussels and other aquatic species.
What you can do
The Illinois Pollution Control Board (Board) is currently reviewing the IEPA proposed rules. You can show your support in two ways:
1) If you fish, paddle, bike, row, swim, hike, live near or just value the Chicago River and Calumet River systems, share how cleaner water will make a difference to you at the Board public hearing on Monday, June 16, 2008 between 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
For example, if you kayak on the Chicago River , you could discuss how disinfection addresses your fear of becoming ill from contact with the water. The hearing will be at the MWRD headquarters, at 100 East Erie Street in Chicago . To testify in support of stronger protections, notify by Friday June 13, 2008 both Marie Tipsord, with the Board at: tipsordm@ipcb.state.il.us and Caitlyn Bolton with Friends of the Chicago River at: 312-939-0490 x14 or via email at: cbolton@chicagoriver.org .
2) Send a letter to the Board, addressed to: John Therriault, Assistant Clerk, with the Illinois Pollution Control Board at 100 W. Randolph Street, Suite 11-500, Chicago , Illinois 60601 . For a sample comment letter, visit the Friends of the Chicago River website at: http://chicagoriver.org/upload/2008%20UAA%20support%20letter.doc
For more information , visit: www.chicagoriver.org , http://www.chicagoareawaterways.org , or the Illinois Pollution Control Board site at: http://www.ipcb.state.il.us/cool/external/CaseView2.asp?referer=coolsearch&case=R2008-009
Download the Petition (2mb PDF file) filed by the Chicago Area Sea Kayaking Association (CASKA) and co-signed by the Illinois Paddling Council, Prairie State Canoeists, Prairie Coast Paddlers, Chicago Kayak Club, Chicago Whitewater Club and local paddlesport businesses.
Dam Safety Rules
The Illinois General Assembly which passed Public Act 095-0020 has directed the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources Office of Water Resources to develop administrative rules to enhance public safety at run-of-river dams on public waters in Illinois.
A consultant studied 25 run-of-river dams to evaluate dam modification and public safety options.
To download sections of the Evaluation of Public Safety at Run-of-River Dams Report click here.
Restricted Waters - Recreational Use bans
During most of April 2008 the Des Plaines River in Lake County and the upper and middle sections of the Fox River have been closed to the public for recreational use. The IPC has contacted IDNR to question the criteria by which these restrictions are determined, imposed and lifted.
IPC has also set up a email alert system to notify paddlers of when these restrictions are imposed and removed.
Click on the links below to read the law authorizing IDNR to impose and remove these restrictions.
Section 2030.15 Designation of Restricted Waters
Section 2030.80 Hazardous Navigation Conditions – Designated Restricted Boating Areas
Lake Michigan Coastal Management Plan
The Illinois Coastal Management Program (CMP) offers the opportunity for grant monies to
aid the efforts in planning and implementing public access and recreational resources
throughout the Illinois coastal zone. The purpose of this Issue Paper is to provide a
framework of perspectives, focus, concerns and interests that will benefit the decision
making as to how CMP grant monies can be best utilized with regard to access and
recreational resources.
Upon ICMP approval, Illinois will be eligible to receive approximately $2 million per year, which will fund a grants program to implement local projects. Local and state agencies and non-profit organizations would be eligible to apply for and receive funds. A few examples of how other States/communities have used these funds include:
- low-cost construction projects such as dune walkovers and boat launches
- planning and creation of beach access points
- reinvigorating economically depressed waterfront areas
- preventing and monitoring beach erosion
- providing technical assistance on shore protection and bluff stabilization
- providing assistance for local planning in coastal areas
Two sections of the Issue Paper are presented here.
Shore Access and Recreation
New access and recreation resources will likely continue to be in demand as there is continuing growth in an urban population interested in water-related recreational activities. The growing popularity of canoe and kayak recreation along the Inland Waterways is just one example of this growing interest. There is also interest in further integrating the Illinois lakeshore and the Inland Waterways into the plan for the Northeastern Illinois Regional Water Trails (Openlands Project 2007).
Public Access and Recreational Resources
Kayaks and canoes are popular, low-cost watercrafts that provide healthful and
environmentally safe water recreation. Interest in these types of watercraft continues to
grow. Public facilities for the efficient launch and recovery of kayaks, canoes, and other
human-powered watercraft should be an integral part of the parkland bordering Lake
Michigan and the Inland Waterways. Studies would be beneficial to establish a
management plan for the safe use by paddlers along the Inland Waterways, particularly
along the Main Stem Chicago River.
IDNR Coastal Management Plan
Read the full Illinois Coastal Management Plan Issue Paper
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