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Newsletter of the Prairie State Canoeists
December, 2000 

Chairman's Report on PSC Paddling: 2000

Trips Paddled
There were 132 scheduled trips during 2000, more than in any other year during the past decade. Of the scheduled trips, 117 were completed and 15 were cancelled for a variety of reasons. Trip leaders reported 15,230 member and 1,630 non-member miles; since some trip reports are still outstanding, these totals are probably understated. 
100 Point Paddlers
The number of 100 point paddlers was only 43, the lowest in at least the last 10 years. A much larger number of members, 264, paddled at least one trip. In addition, several guests would have received 50 points if they had been members during 2000. Of perhaps greater importance, there was only one new River Rat for 2000, again among the lowest totals for the past decade.
Club Service
The Club ran 4 clean up trips during 2000. These clean ups attracted 21 members and 8 non-members. In addition, the Club participated in Paddle in the Park, Canoecopia, and the Travel Adventure Show. 
Trip Leadership
In many respects, trip leaders are the core of PSC. This year we did not have any new trip leaders. Further, there was a high concentration of trip leadership among a very few members. Each current trip leader is asked to find a new trip leader to add to the 2001 list. 



Trip Leaders' Meeting Saturday, January 20, 2001 1:30 PM

Ed note: It all starts here at the annual Trip Leaders' Meeting. If you are thinking about leading or co-leading a trip, please attend. I have found that those attending the meeting often fill in the "holes" in the schedule with previously unplanned trips. Or a favorite trip is missing. So it gets placed on the master schedule. It happens best if you are there. If you do not attend please e-mail your list to rfleming@netconslting.com. 
Location and directions: Bill Barclay has reserved the Stevenson Recreation Center in Oak Park for the PSC Trip Leaders meeting. Directions: To get to the Center: (1) Take the Eisenhower to Austin (first left exit from downtown; second if coming from the land beyond O'Hare, i.e. the west); (2) Go north on Austin (right if coming from downtown, left if from the west); (3) At Lake St. (about 1.5 miles up Austin) go left (west) two - three blocks; park (4) Stevenson Rec. Center is on the south (left) side of the street. Abbr.. dir.: Ike Xway to Austin exit, north to Lake, west to Stevenson Rec. Ctr. on S. side of St.


Dues 
Are your dues current? Check the label for your dues status. A 00 indicates your dues are paid through the end of December, 2000. Please renew. We will have a new password for the members only section (Trip Announcements) of the next newsletter.

Web Site
PSC Web Site Check out the PSC web site. http://www.psc.ctsserver.com.

Mail
Send, address change to Bob Kane, sign-in to Vic Hurtowy, trip reports to Rick Fleming, 23 N. Emerson St., Mt. Prospect IL 60056, 847-253-9383, fax -5216, rfleming@ netconsulting.com (e-mail preferred).

Trip leaders do not have to use the pre-stamped envelopes for trip reports - e-mail if you can.

For Sale

PSC Items for Sale: PSC T-shirts ($10) and sweatshirts ($20) are available from Christina Taylor at 630-495-1565; E-mail: peace43@ aol.com. Christina can bring your shirts to a trip or send via UPS

Canoes For Sale: Grumman, 18' shoe keel, $450 John Fiorio 847-699-2895. Grumman 17' aluminum whitewater model with shoe keel, 2 paddles, custom portage yoke, $350 firm. Larry Leathers 630-968-7472.

Newsletter Issues and Deadlines

Number Deadline Trip Announcements For...
Vol. 33, #1 November 1 December 00 - January 01
2 January 15, 2001 February - March
3 March 1 April - May
4 May 1 June - July
5 July 1 August - September
6 September 1 October - November

Trip Announcements

Trip #119 Nov. 30 - Dec. 3 
Northern Florida Rivers
Ed Nelson
elncanoer@yahoo.com 
847-382-3372 
Call trip leader for details. Plans have changed slightly since publication in last newsletter.

Trip #1 Mon. Jan. 1, 00
New Year's Day Paddle on the North Branch Chicago River Beginner
Vic Hurtowy days 
773-777-1489
Join us as we travel down the scenic North Branch of the Chicago River on New Years Day. What a great way to begin the New Year and revive yourself from the night before!!! Due to the increased popularity in recent years (this year will be the 15th annual); we have several starting times; the first beginning at 8:30 AM and continuing till 10:15 AM. Call Vic the week before to let him know when you will put-in. (Vic still wants 200+ paddlers to attend this event! In 00 187 paddled in 46 deg weather.)


Trip Reports

Trip # 98 Labor Day 
Wisconsin R
Immanuel Kant considered the moral life within and the starry skies above as two of the most important experiences of life. I don't know about the moral life within, but we definitely had the starry skies above on Sunday night as we again enjoyed a Labor Day Weekend on this lovely river. There were some newcomers, but most of us will add this weekend to the many great memories we have of previous trips. Aldo Leopold compared this river to a painter of great landscapes as he talked about the various shapes and colors of the sandbars in the river. "Some paintings," he said, "become famous because, being durable, they are viewed by successive generations, in each of which are likely to be found a few appreciative eyes. I know a painting (a sandbar) so evanescent that it is seldom viewed at all, except by some wandering deer. It is a river who wields the brush, and it is the same river who, before I can bring my friends to view his work, erases it forever from human view. After that it exists only in my mind's eye." Fortunately, I was able to bring a few friends and also new acquaintances together this weekend to view this beautiful landscape so that it will exist in the eyes of many minds. Sunday found us on the Shafers Fork of the appreciation to Sandon Bate for the excellent resource materials. Nice trip, nice people. Joann Benedetto

Trip # 108a Sept 27-Oct1 
Pine, Little Manistee MI
Canoeists from Duneland and PSC paddled together four days on the Pine and one day on the Little Manistee. It was one of those near perfect trips with great people, beautiful and fun rivers, terrific weather and enlightening conversation around almost smokeless campfires. Our experiences were enhanced by a dramatic change of colors during the week and sharing our canoeing and campfires with a Michigan artist who also plays the ukulele. One member of our group saw a doe swimming down the middle of the river. One saw a grouse. We hope to return to the magic of the Pine next year about the same time. Joan Taylor

Trip # 95A 
Crystal River
Five people in 4 canoes paddled this lovely little stream whish for the most part is narrow and twisting with a few tricky little rock gardens. It was a first time for us all and e agreed to come back and do it again. A lot of private property in rural setting with well manicured lawns and gardens. Saturday we passed an outdoor wedding and Sunday two resting deer which looked at us but never moved even though we passed within 15 feet. Bob Kane 

Trip # 97 September 2-3 
Upper Iowa River
Saturday was cloudy but Sunday was just beautiful. Weather does not mater because the charm of he Upper Iowa is impressing. The cliffs and fresh water springs resemble an Ozark Mountain setting rather than a Northern Mississippi tributary. Eagles, an osprey, a cormorant, king fishers, egrets and catoids were spotted along with a soft shelled turtle. A recent change in my work schedule, combined with a prior commitment for Paul, prevented a Monday paddle. P.S. bonnie says the natural spring water may not always be safe to drink. Oh well. Bob Kane

Trip # 100 September 
Freestyle Practice Cancelled

Trip # 101 Sep 9-10 
Pine River
Saturday's weather was wonderful. We rescued one pair of boys from among a number on the river. Sunday we had thunder and lightening so we didn't paddle. Barclay & Strobel

Trip # 102 Sep 17 
Chicago River
This trip was switched forward one week and had a modest turnout. It was a perfect day for urban canoeing and even the jet skiers were friendly and courteous. We paddled from Rockwell to Berteau to Division Street and were accompanied by a heron for part of the trip. Dick Frye

Trip # 103 Sep 11-16 
MI Rivers
We paddled the Boardman, Pine and Little Manistee in sunshine and rain. The salmon were running but we only had a few encounters with fishermen. Water levels were good and so was the group. Thanks for coming. Bob Kane

Trip # 106 Sep 17 
Upper Fox
Despite the incorrect phone number listed [sorry,RF] 15 people shoed up for an enjoyable trip on a picture perfect Sunday, The water level was up doe to some rainfall earlier in the week. Special thanks to Gary Van Riper for volunteering for carshift, Chip Flugg and June [cannot read name, RF] fir sharing sweep and Tom Marceli for return carshift. Barb & Tom Shaw

Trip # 111 Sep 30 
Turkey Run cancelled. Joann Benedetto

Trip # 112 Oct 7-9 
Wisconsin River 
An unexpected cold wave made for a small group and altered our river camping plans to base car camping. As usual though, God was good to us and gave us a great trip! With lows in the 20's and highs in the low 40's we were stunned to see an abundance of river reptiles (mostly turtles) still out sunning themselves. Fierce head winds were a definite force to recon with. As fate would have it though, we were fortunate to find an awe inspiring campground along the far end of the very ridge on which is located the Historical Market denoting the Battle of Wisconsin Heights, the final battle of the Blackhawk War as well as east of the Mississippi. Ed Nelson

Trip # 114 Oct 14-15 
Raccoon Creek 
Plenty of water and sunshine made for a beautiful weekend of paddling. Tom Lundhale [spelling?], the Johnsons and 3 dogs the group Saturday and Sunday. Bob Kane

Trip # 115 Oct 14-15 
Rock River 
The river was alive with color. The Saturday group saw 2 eagles close up near the put-in at Oregon. We took out at the Grand Detour and some of us biked and had dinner at White Pines St. Park. Sunday was another beautiful day. We put in at Grand Detour and enjoyed a leisurely paddle to Dixon. Joan Taylor

Trip # 115A Oct 14 
I&M Canal 
Five canoeists enjoyed a beautiful fall day on the canal. Numerous cyclists and hikers can also attest to their being bugged by some turkey vultures and various other birds. A post-canoeing hike from Chanon lead to the discovery that the pipeline across the canal is gone (temporary?) so, the old pipe can be seen. Larry Forgala

Trip # 116A Oct 19 
Du Page River 
It was a beautiful fall day on the river. Although the water was a bit low in couple of places, only tow boats hung up for brief periods. Our trip ended at Chanon where we saw several Osprey.
Joan Taylor

Trip # 117A Oct 22 
Pecatonia River 
This was a pleasant fall day shared by 13 cool folk on a little traveled river (by PSC). We especially enjoyed the twists and turns and lack of signs of civilization as we know it.
Joan Taylor

Trip # 117C Oct 20-21 
Wisconsin River 
This year we altered our usual procedures and paddled the Upper Dells on day 1. The weather couldn't have been more accommodating combined with a truly great group; this will b e locked in memory as one of our all time greatest trips. We visited Stand Rock and Cool Water Canyon. The canyon was all ours as it seems to be out of use at this time due to apparent storm damage. We had to pass on Witches Gulch as we could find no acceptable canoe landing and the tour boats were still running in force on this day. Ironically, we ate lunch across from Blackhawk Island. So named as it is the place where Blackhawk was himself captured. Two weeks ago we camped upon the ridge at Wisconsin Heights, the scene of the final battle of the Blackhawk War. The two engagements beyond that point, the mouth of the Wisconsin R. and the mouth of the Bad Axe r were very one sided extermination efforts. Sunday we paddled Mirror Lake from the boat launch site in the St Park and back without a shift. We portaged the dam into lake Delton and paddled down Lake Delton to the dam at the Wisconsin R. (Lower Dells) confluence. Without question, this was far more scenic and pleasant than the Dells. Although the shores of Mirror Lake and Lake Delton tend to be privately owned, wildlife is abundant and the scenery spectacular. The portages are public access and are moderately difficult.
Igyartos

PADDLER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Open Pool Sessions

The U of I Chicago pool has been reserved for kayakers, sea kayakers and open boaters (canoes) Wed evenings from 6:30pm until 9:30pm from Nov 1 through May 30.Nov 1, 2000. The fee for the 3 hour session is $10 per person. Students and children accompanied by parents pay half price. Bring your own boat. The OPS is not a class and you may do whatever you like during the session; meet old friends, make new ones, learn a new trick, revive a rusting old skill, swim or just mess around in the boat for a while. This is a great place to introduce a friend to canoeing or kayaking in a safe, warm water, controlled environment. You must clean your boat thoroughly before you put it in the pool. Wash it out at home if you can. We've developed a few things for fun and games over the last few years. If there's enough interest to set it up, we can put up some gates over the water and make it easier to practice those tight boat control skills that come in so handy on rocky rivers. 

Enter the Athletic building through the main doors, and tell the person at the desk you're looking for the pool and locker rooms. Your paddle is your pass! Bring a towel, a combination lock for your locker and any toiletries you might require. Please leave valuables locked in your car or at home. Enter the pool through the locker rooms where you must leave everything but your paddling gear. Personal items will not be allowed on the pool deck or benches.

The UIC pool building is the first door west of UIC's new "Flame Center" and is located on the south side of Roosevelt Rd. (1200 S) one half block west of Halsted St. (800 W). To bring your boat into the building, drive around to the rear of the building. Parking is on the street or in the pay lot on the north side of Roosevelt Rd. directly across from the athletic building.

For more information please e-mail questions to Gary Mechanic @:gary@chicagopaddling.org or call him at 773-267-0146

A Natural Treasure Threatened - Little Vermilion River

form, are not protective of this natural by Marc Miller, Watershed Organizer, Prairie Rivers Network U.S. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote that, "A river is more than an amenity, it is a treasure." 
The Little Vermilion is one of those rivers - and it needs your protection. Flowing through Vermilion County, Illinois, it is one of the most beautiful streams in our state and the Midwest. But it is threatened by a proposed coal mine that would deface the river banks with a coal preparation plant, rail and truck loadout facility, 100 acre mine refuse pile and sediment basins. 

All this would threaten the river and its abundant natural resources. Although the Little Vermilion is a small river, only 50 miles long, it harbors one of the most diverse aquatic communities in the state, with forty-eight species of fish and many species of mussels. Its waters provide some of the last remaining habitat for four state protected aquatic species - the bigeye shiner, river chub, slippershell mussel, little spectacle case mussel - and supports the largest known population of slippershells in Illinois. The river is recognized by the Illinois Natural History Survey as one of the "ten most outstanding aquatic ecosystems in Illinois."

The middle and lower stretches of the Little Vermilion flow through rolling meadows and woodlands where its banks are graced with decades old sycamores, cottonwoods, and box elders. The surrounding slopes and bluffs are anchored by majestic black and red oaks as well as white ash, shagbark hickories, and walnuts. 

Just downstream of Lake Georgetown, 1.2 miles of the stream and stream corridor is designated Illinois' first ever state nature preserve dedicated solely for the protection of aquatic habitats. Further downstream is the Babe Woodyard State Natural Area. The river is also the source of drinking water source for Georgetown and Olivet.

The proposed mine threatens the Little Vermilion River with acid mine drainage, sediments, and toxic metals, and will negatively impact the state protected species, the nature preserve, drinking water, and overall water quality. Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois EPA are now considering whether to grant Black Beauty Coal Company the mining permit, and the air and water pollution control permits - these permits, in their present treasure. 
Because of its high quality and its value to area citizens, every effort should be made to protect the physical, chemical and biological character of the Little Vermilion River so that future generations may have the freedom to recreate in its waters, and view nature along its corridor. The draft permits do not afford the river adequate protection.
 
You can help protect this natural treasure. Write to the Governor's office, Illinois EPA, and Illinois DNR to request that permits for Black Beauty Coal Company be denied. Let them know that you want them to protect the Little Vermilion River for yourself and future generations. 

Gov. George Ryan
207 Statehouse
Springfield, IL 62706

Illinois DNR
524 S. Second St.
Springfield, IL 62701

Hearing Officer William Seltzer #21
Illinois EPA
PO Box 19276
Springfield, IL 62794-9276

Wolf River Mine
Rio Algom and its Nicolet Minerals subsidiary are now owned by the South African mining company Billiton. The Crandon Mine is still a possibility, and paddlers who enjoy the pristine Wolf River environment must continue to be vigilant. You can voice your opinion by sending an email to Marc Gonsalves, Senior Corporate Affairs Manager at Billiton: mgosalves@ billiton. com Please refrain from using abusive language, but stick to the facts that the Wolf River is one of the most pristine and clean rivers in the U.S., that the potential contamination from spills such as have happened at other mine sites due to the 20 tons/month of cyanide and other chemicals used in the processing of the ore, and the estimated 44 million tons of acidic wastes generated over the lifespan of the mine, pose environmental hazards not acceptable. The mine would also pump more than 1400 gallons/minute of water out of the ground, significantly impacting not only the immediate mine area, but Mole Lake, the wild rice beds of the Ojibwa Indians, as well as water levels in the Wolf River one of the nation's environmental treasures.

You can find more details on the Wisconsin Resources Protection Council's website at http://www.wrpc/index.html

Another threat to Northern WI is the proposal for a huge 345,000 volt electric transmission line - read more on that threat at www.UnplugManitobaHydro.org or send an email to wakeupwisc@aol.com You can also download a cyanide ban petition at www.treatyland.com

Thanks - Sigrid

Pecatonica River Access
From: "Joe Ginger" <jeginger@mwci.net>
My goal is to create a series of canoe/kayak launch sites from Winslow IL to Pecatonica Il. Those two sites exist, but I feel about four more upstream from Freeport and three or four downstream from Freeport need to be added. I should mention that Freeport has plans to build a boat launch site in downtown Freeport, at the former Burgess Battery site. If the EPA signs off on the site cleanup, construction may start as early as next year. I have never paddled the entire river. At work, we have a group that schedules an annual "paddle to work", that launches north of town and finishes across the river from the old Burgess site. I'm currently involved with the Stephenson County Greenway Development group, the Illinois Paddling Council and American Canoe Association, plus the Sugar-Pecatonica Rivers Ecosystem Partnership. Sigrid Pilgrim mentioned that PSC may have frequented the Pecatonica River and I though the Rockford club might have some ideas that would benefit access issues on the Pecatonica River. I believe the city and some county board members, as well as the Convention and Visitors Bureau are interested in getting this going. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Illinois River Watershed
The public is invited to attend seven open houses in the Illinois River watershed hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The purpose of the open houses is to
Provide the public the opportunity to learn about the Illinois River Ecosystem Restoration Study, which is scheduled for completion in 2004 and includes the entire Illinois River Basin (tributaries include the Fox, Des Plaines, Kankakee, Iroquois, Vermilion, Mackinaw, Spoon, Sangamon and La Moines Rivers).
Open houses will be held in Peoria, Bloomington, Kankakee, Yorkville, Utica, Macomb, and Grafton. Several displays will be available to explain the study. All interested members of the public are encouraged to attend the open house, visit the displays, talk to agency representatives, and provide comments. The comments received at these open houses will be considered during the study and
will be part of the official NEPA scoping process.

Illinois River Study Open Houses
Peoria 
Wed 11/29 9:30-12; 4-7
Gateway Ctr200 NE Water Street, 

Bloomington 
Mon Dec 4 3-8pm
Interstate Ctr, East Cnf Rm , 2301 W Market St, Bloomington

Kankakee
Tues Dec 5 3-8p 
Kankakee Civic Auditorium
803 Eighth Street (8th and Charles)

Yorkville
Wed Dec 6 3-8p
Beecher Community Building
908 Game Farm Road, Yorkville

If you have technical comments or questions about the Illinois River
Ecosystem Restoration Study, please contact: 
Brad Thompson, Project Manager, District Engineer 
US Army Engineer District, 
Rock Island  
ATTN: CEMVR-PM-M (Thompson)
Clock Tower Building
PO Box 2004, Rock Island, IL 61204-2004

(309) 794-5256
bradley.e.thompson@usace.army.mil



Where to send (e-mail preferred)

Trip Reports
Rick Fleming
23 N. Emerson St., 
Mt. Prospect IL 60056, 
847-253-9383, fax -5216, rfleming@netconsulting.com

Address Changes
Bob Kane
305 Westshore Drive
Shorewood IL 60431
815-744-8129
Paddler@cbcast.com

Sign-In Sheets
Vic Hurtowy
10408 M Todd Tr #GW
Glenview IL 60027
847-803-4575
vicccb@voyager.net


Welcome New Members

Newsletter editor prints labels but does not maintain the list from which the labels are printed. If you are not receiving your newsletter check with Bob Kane to insure that you are on the membership list.

Prairie State Canoeists Application for Membership, Year 2000

Dues: $15. Make checks payable to Prairie State Canoeists. 
Complete, sign and mail to Bob Kane, 305 Westshore Drive, Shorewood IL 60431. 
__Check if this is a new address
Read and Sign Below
I agree that I will take part in Prairie State Canoeists activities at my own risk. I will not hold Prairie State Canoeists, it's officers, trip leaders and/or members responsible for any injuries or property loss I may incur while taking part in club activities. I UNDERSTAND PADDLING IS AN ASSUMED RISK SPORT AND I AM 
RESPONSIBLE FOR MY SELF/FAMILY. I AM 21 YEARS OR OLDER. ALL ADULTS MUST SIGN.


signed date

signed date

Last Name, First Name

Spouse Last Name, Spouse First Name 

Street Address City State ZIP

First names of children under 21. Include age. 

Telephone E-mail Address 

Print Name/Address in Directory? Y N 
Print E-mail Address in Dir? Y N



Prairie State Canoeists
c/o Bob Kane
305 Westshore Drive
Shorewood IL 60431
Are your dues current? A 00 indicates your dues are paid through the end of December, 2000.

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