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Lipinski Request Yields 20 Potential Alternatives To Lucas-Berg Pit In Worth (February 17, 2009)

02/17/2009

Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-03) today announced the release of a preliminary evaluation study conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that identified 20 potential alternative sites that could replace the Lucas-Berg Confined Placement Facility (CPF) in Worth.  A substitute site would prevent the dumping of dredged materials from the Cal-Sag Channel at Lucas-Berg.  As Chicagoland's only member of the powerful House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which has legislative jurisdiction over the Army Corps of Engineers, Lipinski successfully worked to authorize and secure a $100,000 grant to fund this study.

"This is a very good day for the residents of the Village of Worth and all of the communities close to the Lucas-Berg Pit," said Rep. Lipinski. "This study by the Army Corps has identified - for the first time - alternatives to using the Lucas-Berg site. Much more work needs to be done, but the fact that there are 20 potential alternatives gives us hope for the future."  

"Representative Lipinski's continued effort to help prevent the dumping of dredged materials in Lucas-Berg pit is greatly appreciated and shows his deep concern for the health and safety of Worth residents," said Village President Ed Guzdziol.  "Congressman Lipinski's persistence in working to secure the funding that has helped to identify alternative placement sites has greatly aided our fight and has made the future possibilities for a positive outcome much more promising."

The Army Corps' preliminary evaluation identified 41 areas as potential alternative CPF sites in an area spanning south of Joliet, IL up to Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan.  Twenty-one of these sites have met initial screening criteria.  Over the next few years, the Army Corps will continue to evaluate all of these alternatives before coming to a final decision on the placement dredged materials from the Cal-Sag Channel.

"The Lucas-Berg pit is located in the middle of a densely populated area, and the potential placement of dredged materials in this community raises serious concerns," stated Lipinski.  "That is why I will continue to work with Mayor Guzdziol to fight the dumping of dredged materials in Lucas-Berg. This study is a critical step, and I commend the Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District for their work on this preliminary evaluation."

(February 17, 2009)

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