Section 367.1040  Environmental Evaluation

As part of the Phase I study, award recipients shall submit to the Agency an environmental evaluation that consists of full and complete answers to the following questions.  (Recipients are also encouraged to address other considerations that they believe apply to their particular project.)

a)         Will the proposed project displace any people?

b)         Will the proposed project deface existing residences or residential areas? What mitigating actions such as landscaping, screening, or buffer zones have been considered? Are they included?

c)         Will the proposed project be likely to lead to a change in established land use patterns, such as increased development pressure near the lake? To what extent and how will this change be controlled through land use planning, zoning, or through other methods?

d)         Will the proposed project adversely affect a significant amount of prime agricultural land or agricultural operations on such land?

e)         Will the proposed project result in a significant adverse effect on park land, other public land, or lands of recognized scenic value?

f)         Has the State Historical Preservation Agency been contacted? Has the award recipient received a response and, if so, what was the nature of that response? Will the proposed project result in a significant adverse effect on lands or structures of historic, architectural, archaeological or cultural value?

g)         Will the proposed project lead to a significant long-range increase in energy demands?

h)         Will the proposed project result in significant and long range or short range adverse changes in ambient air quality or noise levels?

i)          If the proposed project involves the use of in-lake chemical treatment, what long and short term adverse effects can be expected from that treatment? How will the award recipient mitigate these effects?

j)          Is the proposed project located in a floodplain? If so, will the project involve construction of structures in the floodplain?  What steps will be taken to reduce the possible effects of flood damage to the project?

k)         If the project involves physically modifying the lake shore or its bed or its watershed, by dredging, for example, what steps will be taken to minimize any immediate and long term adverse effects of such activities?  When dredging is employed, where will the dredged material be deposited, what can be expected and what measures will the recipient employ to minimize any significant adverse impacts from its deposition?

l)          Will the proposed project have a significant adverse effect on fish and wildlife, or on wetlands or any other wildlife habitat, especially those of endangered species?  How significant is this impact in relation to the local or regional critical habitat needs? Have actions to mitigate habitat destruction been incorporated into the project?  Has the award recipient consulted with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? What were their replies?

m)        Describe any feasible alternatives to the proposed project in terms of environmental impacts, commitment of resources, public interest and costs and discuss why they were not proposed.

n)         Describe any other measures not discussed previously that are necessary to mitigate adverse environmental impacts that may result from the implementation of the proposed project.