Illinois Administrative Code › Title 17 - CONSERVATION › Part 120 - WATER WITHDRAWAL FROM STATE AREAS › Section 120.20 - Water Withdrawal Criteria

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 28, July 12, 2024
The following criteria will be used to evaluate requests for
				water withdrawal and failure to meet these criteria will result in
				rejection:
a) Demonstration of Need
The party requesting the use of water from a Department site
				must provide information which demonstrates that it has exhausted reasonable
				alternatives to satisfy its water needs.
b) Compatibility With Fish Management or
			 Other Site Management Activities
For example: If a lake has a history of use or the need to
				utilize fishery management chemicals (aquatic herbicides or fish toxicants)
				these facts must be taken into consideration during the Department's review of
				water withdrawal requests. Information on the use of chemicals must be provided
				to the requestors in the interest of public health and safety. The District
				Fisheries Biologist will notify the Site Superintendent annually, by January
				31, of all use of chemicals on waters of a site under his control. This
				notification will include the type of chemical, the date a chemical was
				applied, the purpose of the application and how many pounds/gallons were
				applied.
c) Compatibility
			 With Migratory Bird Management Activities
For example: If a wetland has a history of being dewatered on a
				seasonal basis for the purpose of managing migratory birds, these factors must
				be taken into consideration during the Department's review of water withdrawal
				requests.
d) Overwintering
			 and Summer Survival of Aquatic Life
In any water withdrawal situation, sufficient water depth must
				remain to allow overwintering and summer survival of the water area's aquatic
				life. Winter-kill risk must be minimized in case refilling prior to winter does
				not occur following withdrawal, and thermal refuges must be maintained
				throughout the summer.
e)
			 Consideration of Federal Requirements
In all cases where federal funding was utilized in acquiring or
				developing a site/lake, the associated federal requirements must be considered
				in the review of water withdrawal requests and inherent obligations must be
				honored.
f) Physical
			 Attributes of the Lake and Watershed
The morphological configuration of the lake in question should
				be analyzed to determine the amount of water which may be withdrawn. Factors
				such as the lake's maximum depth, average depth, ratio of littoral zone to
				total lake acreage, watershed to lake ratio, inflow/outflow hydrograph of the
				impoundment for water recharging, spawning requirements and the location of
				boat ramps and dockage all must be considered.
g) Presence of Endangered or Threatened
			 Species
Water withdrawal from surface waters providing habitat for
				endangered or threatened species will require review by the Endangered Species
				Program Manager.
h)
			 Proximity of a Withdrawal Request to or in a Designated Illinois Nature
			 Preserve
A request of this nature will require coordination with, and
				concurrence by, the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission. Proximity of a
				withdrawal request to or in a natural area will require review to ensure there
				will be no negative impact on the natural area.
i) Withdrawal Method Impact
The method of water removal will be considered as a significant
				factor in the consideration of requests to withdraw water. Under certain
				circumstances, the method of water withdrawal could be more damaging to the
				resource and to Department programs than the loss of water itself.
				Consequently, Department staff involved in the review process will consider the
				impact of the requested withdrawal as follows:
1) Mobile tank:
A) road conditions, weight limits and
			 required permits (Department roads and local public roads);
B) water loading point conflicts with
			 Department programs;
C) visitor,
			 staff and permittee safety;
D)
			 method of filling tank (noise, aesthetic and storage impact); and
E) need for Department supervision and
			 impacts upon other activities.