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Lake County Gazette

Monday, December 23, 2024

Wheeler touts environmental boost for Fox Waterway Agency

River

Improvements to the waterway along the Fox River and Chain O'Lakes will soon be undertaken thanks to enactment of a bill sponsored by Rep. Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake), according to a press release.

Gov. Bruce Rauner recently signed House Bill 770, which is designed to help the Fox Waterway Agency (FWA) acquire public land to build a site for processing dredged waterway sediment so it can be used by area businesses and communities. The waterway's environmental health will also benefit, according to Wheeler.

“The Fox River and Chain O’Lakes are beautiful natural resources that also drive critical economic activity for our area,” Wheeler said in the news release. “Through House Bill 770, the Fox Waterway Agency will not only be better equipped to protect these natural resources, but it will also lead to improved benefits for the businesses and communities who rely on our beautiful waterway.”


Rep. Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake).

The public lands will come from the state's Department of Natural Resources.

Sen. Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry) was the bill's Senate sponsor.

FWA Executive Director Joe Keller said in the news release that the bill will return the soils and sediments to the area's farms, gardens, parks and yards.

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