Coal Mining and the Salt Fork River

Sunrise Coal, of Terre Haute, Indiana, has been planning to develop a coal mine in an approximately 70 square mile area of Vermilion and Champaign counties, and over the past two years has been obtaining leases for mineral rights from landowners. Recent articles in both the News-Gazette and The Leader have reported that the Village of Homer is partnering with Sunrise Coal to provide the necessary water – both from wells and from the Salt Fork River - for coal operations.

Some of the wastewater from the coal extraction, crushing, and washing operations will apparently be deposited into the Salt Fork River basin. This has the potential for adding sediments and pollutants such as heavy metals and salts into waters now used for drinking water supplies, fish and wildlife habitat,and livestock watering.

This has raised concerns for ourselves and for neighbors, farmers, landowners, anglers, paddlers, scout activities at Camp Drake, and the ecological health of the river and adjoining riparian corridor. We are interested in bringing together the stakeholders of this region in an effort to have a full and transparent discussion. Hopefully, it would be possible to work together to voice shared concerns and obtain answers to open questions with a goal of identifying solutions that can ensure the vital life of the Salt Fork River and its watershed, as well as a sustainable future for our communities. For more information, see Stand Up to Coal and the links above

Fly Fishing on the Salt Fork River

On Sunday July 31, 2011, we went fly fishing on the Salt Fork River in Vermilion County. The width of the river channel made it easy for beginners such as us to get started without having to worry much about our backcasts.

With small and large pools interspersed with rocky riffles, a large assortment of habitats are available for various species. There are an abundant number of sunfish, rockbass, and smallmouth bass available for entertainment on light tackle, however, on our outing, we managed to entice only some small shiners with our offerings.

Large silver maples and sycamores dominate the banks, creating lots of shade, which was a relief from the oppressive heat and humidity. The water was hot, and I was sweating in my waders and vest. Even though I was disappointed with our lack of success in catching bass, I plan to return soon with tennis shoes and different flies.

::Posted by Tom Smith::

Reporting Pollution or Dead Fish in the Salt Fork

Around the July 4th weekend, dead fish were first reported in the Salt Fork River. Unfortunately, by the time the information reached the Illinois Environmental Agency (IEPA) and Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the source of the problem could not be located. If you should see anything that appears to be a serious problem to the health of the stream, please use the following guidelines. One of the most important lessons out of this incident is to report ASAP!

PLEASE SAVE AND POST THIS IN A CONVENIENT PLACE:

What to do if you see pollution or dead fish in the river

1. Call Illinois Emergency Management Agency's (IEMA’s) 24-hour hotline immediately at 1-800-782-7860. They will log the call and contact EPA.

2. Email a written description of who, what, when and where to Jeff Holste at the Champaign office of EPA Jeffrey.Holste@illinois.gov, This will establish a paper trail and enable you to alert and engage other concerned citizens.

Pedal-Paddle-Pedal on the Salt Fork

Here is a set of photos and commentary about my first pedal-paddle-pedal (bike plus raft) day trip on the Salt Fork.

I hope to paddle the entire length of the Salt Fork, from the Saline Ditch in Crystal Lake Park to Danville using this method of car-free transportation.

-- Gary

Ice Floes

The Salt Fork ice broke today! Tom and I went to the county line bridge about 12:30 PM but the floes had already passed. We took off in our truck, mucking along the soggy county roads to 200E but again, we missed the ice so we jumped back into the truck one more time and headed off on asphalt to the Oakwood bridge hoping we could catch it before it was gone. When we reached the water intake pipe we were discouraged to find only a few slabs of ice floating by, but as we stood there taking a few photos and just enjoying the 60-degree spring-like day we noticed something upstream coming at us around the bend.

A huge mass of broken slabs and chunks of ice filling the channel from bank to bank pushing logs and debris moved toward us at about 5 miles per hour. It was incredible! Pieces of ice 7-8 inches thick and some as large as a bus jostled for position as they pushed and shoved their way down the channel while other pieces were getting shoved up the banks or caught in backwater eddies. I wish you could have been there, not only to see it but to hear it, the grinding ice as it jostled around in the channel and along the banks.

It was one of those fleeting moments in nature that you are so grateful to experience knowing that it will soon be gone. And it was. After less than 5 minutes the ice had moved on toward the Wabash. The Salt Fork River is once again a liquid stream of water rushing eastward until next year- if the winter conditions are right.

Clip video below to see and hear the ice flowing complete with my exciting comments!

Salt Fork River Paddler's Map

We have made a start on a Salt Fork River Paddler's Map of natural, historical, and other sites of potential interest on your next float. Many sites are on private property and should be viewed only from the river; a few sites that are off the river are noted as being on public roads or park property.

This is a work in progress. Please contribute ideas for additional sites by email or comment to this post.

River Tubing

The Salt Fork River is still quite high and moving rather quickly due to all the recent rains. Please consider this if you have plans to be on the river this 4th of July.

Lately,  I have noticed more and more people on the river in tubes. Tubing can be a great way to relax as one floats down the river. Tubing can be a novel way to experience the river. But tubing can also be dangerous.

• Please inform others of your plans to go tubing. Where you are going and how long you expect to be gone.
• Take a cell phone. There are small plastic water tight containers just for cell phones.
• Check the weather before going.  Storms can come up quickly.
• Familiarize yourself with the area of the river that you will be tubing on.
• Wear a life vest and sunscreen.
• Stay in the tube.
• Try to have as little impact as possible on the natural area you are in and don't leave trash behind.
• Most of the land you are floating by is private property.  You need permission to go on it.

As always, have fun and keep safety in mind.