Chicago Area WatersUrban and Suburban RiversOne of the greatest threats to streams in several areas of Illinois is poorly planned urban and suburban development. As natural and agricultural lands are converted to roads, parking lots, manicured lawns, and strip malls, streams suffer many changes. Many waters become polluted by new sewage discharges, stormwater that runs off construction sites, lawn care chemicals that wash into streams, fluids oozing from automobiles, and other Fortunately, the Clean Water Act has several provisions that you can use to protect your local waters from the impacts of development activities. Section 404 permitting of the Clean Water Act restricts activities that fill wetlands and channelize streams. The stormwater pollution permitting program of the Clean Water Act restricts the pollution that can enter streams from construction activities related to development and pollution from areas that have already been developed. Be RiverSmart, Illinois!Learn how you can do simple things to improve water quality in Illinois by clicking here. Our rivers are closer than you think!
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