Contacts

Rose Ragland, IL DNR.217-782-2602

Julie Morin, USFWS, 612-713-5156

Public Comment Sought on Draft Environmental Assessment for Construction of New Marina in the City of Grafton, Illinois

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking comments from the public on a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for construction of a new marina at Grafton, Illinois. Two action alternatives are evaluated in the EA along with the “No Action” alternative required under National Environmental Policy Act.

Under the preferred alternative, a new full-service marina would be built. This marina would consist of 277 new slips, rock dike, excavation to create a harbor, floating breakwater, two floating buildings and a fuel dock which will offer fuel sales, concessions, groceries, hardware, shower facilities, and laundry. Other amenities may include electrical outlets, data ports, pay telephones, ATM, vending machines, visitor information and maps, laundry service, convenience store, and restroom/shower facility. The parking lot would consist of approximately 100 parking spaces for cars and an additional 60 parking spaces for vehicle/trailers.

A second alternative being considered is to design and construct a new marina for transient boaters only. This would include approximately 90 new slips with all the amenities listed in the preferred alternative. Under the “No Action” alternative, no new slips would be constructed.
The two action alternatives are also being reviewed under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The area of potential effect for this undertaking is the marina site in the City of Grafton, Illinois. The public is requested to inform the Service at the address below about archaeological sites, buildings and structures, historic places, cemeteries, and traditional uses of the area that could influence decisions about the project.

Printed copies of the draft EA are available from Rose Ragland, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, Illinois 62702-1271; telephone: 217/782-2602; e-mail: rragland@dnrmail.state.il.us. The draft EA is also available on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Regional website at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/NEPA.

Copies may also be found at the Grafton City Hall, 118 East Main St., Grafton, IL 62037, (618) 786-3347.

Written comments on the plan are welcome and can be submitted through June 27, 2005 to Rose Raglund at the address above.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 545 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 63 Fish and Wildlife Management offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.

-FWS-

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