FACTS ON U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION FIVE 1 N. Wacker Dr. Chicago, Illinois 60606 312-353-5800 The Illinois District Office The Illinois District Office serves as Region Vs field support group in the State of Illinois. The office staff is comprised of engineers, biol- ogists, chemists, laboratory, field support and clerical personnel. The Office prepares documents recommending 180-day notices and public hearings leading to enforcement of compliance with programmed corrective measures to eliminate water pollution. ILDO makes point source field investigations and samples discharges to public waterways for violations of the 1899 Refuse Act and for applications required for the Discharge Permit Program. It also checks suspected or reported dischargers of oil and hazardous materials to public waters. The Office cooperates with state environmental protection agencies to promote the submission of water quality standards and detailed schedules of compliance for necessary improvements needed to achieve the water quality desired. In addition, it makes program analyses and continuing studies to deter- mine cases of non-compliance with improvement programs through correspondence and contacts with municipalities and industries. It does basic technical support and prepares documents for enforcement and legal actions with specific factual and technical data for evidence. Further, it participates in public information programs to elicit public support and a better public understanding of EPA activities. The primary geographical responsibilities of Illinois District Office are Lake Michigan and the Illinois River Basin. The District Office's principle goals in regard to Lake Michigan are the elimination of all discharges into the Lake, and the installation of closed systems to re-cycle water for re-use. In the Illinois River system, the District Office is working toward the elimination of all direct waste discharges and adequate treatment of all EPA 905-F-73-017 ------- municipal and industrial effluents. The Illinois River System originates with the confluence of the Des Plaines and Kankakee rivers. The Kankakee rises in Indiana, between La Porte and South Bend and the Des Plaines rises in Wisconsin, west of Mil- waukee. The Illinois River flows in a westerly direction to the central region and then southwesterly to the Mississippi River at Grafton, 111. ------- |