Section 120.20  Water Withdrawal Criteria

The following criteria will be used to evaluate requests for water withdrawal and failure to meet these criteria will result in rejection:

a)         Demonstration of Need

The party requesting the use of water from a Department site must provide information which demonstrates that it has exhausted reasonable alternatives to satisfy its water needs.

b)         Compatibility With Fish Management or Other Site Management Activities

For example: If a lake has a history of use or the need to utilize fishery management chemicals (aquatic herbicides or fish toxicants) these facts must be taken into consideration during the Department's review of water withdrawal requests.  Information on the use of chemicals must be provided to the requestors in the interest of public health and safety.  The District Fisheries Biologist will notify the Site Superintendent annually, by January 31, of all use of chemicals on  waters of a site under his control.  This notification will include the type of chemical, the date a chemical  was applied, the purpose of the application and how  many pounds/gallons were applied.

c)         Compatibility With Migratory Bird Management Activities

For example: If a wetland has a history of being  dewatered on a seasonal basis for the purpose of  managing migratory birds, these factors must be taken  into consideration during the Department's review of  water withdrawal requests.

d)         Overwintering and Summer Survival of Aquatic Life

In any water withdrawal situation, sufficient water  depth must remain to allow overwintering and summer  survival of the water area's aquatic life.  Winter-kill  risk must be minimized in case refilling prior to  winter does not occur following withdrawal, and thermal  refuges must be  maintained throughout the summer.

e)         Consideration of Federal Requirements

In all cases where federal funding was utilized in acquiring or developing a site/lake, the associated federal requirements must be considered in the review of water withdrawal requests and inherent obligations must be honored.

f)         Physical Attributes of the Lake and Watershed

The morphological configuration of the lake in question should be analyzed to determine the amount of water which may be withdrawn.  Factors such as the lake's maximum depth, average depth, ratio of littoral zone to total lake acreage, watershed to lake ratio, inflow/outflow hydrograph of the impoundment for water recharging, spawning requirements and the location of boat ramps and dockage all must be considered.

g)         Presence of Endangered or Threatened Species

Water withdrawal from surface waters providing habitat for endangered or threatened species will require review by the Endangered Species Program Manager.

h)         Proximity of a Withdrawal Request to or in a Designated Illinois Nature Preserve

A request of this nature will require coordination with, and concurrence by, the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission.  Proximity of a withdrawal request to or in a natural area will require review to ensure there will be no negative impact on the natural area.

i)          Withdrawal Method Impact

The method of water removal will be considered as a significant factor in the consideration of requests to withdraw water.  Under certain circumstances, the method of water withdrawal could be more damaging to the resource and to Department programs than the loss of water itself.  Consequently, Department staff involved in the review process will consider the impact of the requested withdrawal as follows:

1)         Mobile tank:

A)        road conditions, weight limits and required permits (Department roads and local public roads);

B)        water loading point conflicts with Department programs;

C)        visitor, staff and permittee safety;

D)        method of filling tank (noise, aesthetic and storage impact); and

E)        need for Department supervision and impacts upon other activities.

2)         Pipelines:

A)        location must not impact roads, trails, other use areas or sensitive resources;

B)        pipe intake must be constructed to avoid resource damage;

C)        construction and removal activity must not impact other sites; and

D)        permanent pipelines will require formal planning and licensing.

3)         Spillway release from impoundment:

A)        flow must be regulated and stopped as desired;

B)        critical downstream activity must not be negatively impacted; and

C)        adequate Department staff must be available to conduct operations.

4)        Water Wells:

A)        well location must not impact sensitive natural resources;

B)        the drilling method employed should be chosen to avoid impacts on surrounding sensitive natural resources;

C)        the construction, site clean-up, and removal activity must not impact surrounding sensitive natural resources; and

D)        discharge of water from test pumping after well completion (such as for well development and yield determination) must be controlled to avoid impacts on surrounding sensitive natural resources.