Southwestern Illinois RC&D, Inc.

Southwestern Illinois RC&D - Current Projects

On October 30, 2000 U.S. District Judge William Stiehl awarded Southwestern Illinois RC&D, Inc. a $400,000 settlement in the Chemetco Inc. case. The company, which melts scrap metal for reuse, had installed a 10-inch pipe in 1986 to carry stormwater runoff from the plant into Long Lake, a tributary of the Mississippi River. The discharged water was contaminated with toxic metals, such as lead and cadmium as well as other pollutants.

As part of the $3.86 million fine, $400,000 was awarded to the RC&D. The judge has further directed that the RC&D administer this money towards environmental remediation projects in Madison County, south of the source of pollution. Special emphasis should be placed on the acquisition, restoration and development of Chouteau Island.

The award was received by the RC&D on January 12, 2001 and has been safely invested until use. Preliminary plans call for using the money to match IDNR funds for the development of a Chouteau Island master plan, using a portion for a Project Manager to coordinate Chouteau Island development, with the remainder being used for acquisition and restoration efforts. It is anticipated that the money will be dispersed over a period of three to four years.

While the infraction by Chemetco is unfortunate, we applaud Judge Stiehl's foresight in making certain that a portion of the fine will be used to perpetually protect the important backwaters of the Mississippi River.