march 13, 2023 Update: FOTP AND FRIENDS FILE LAWSUIT TO STOP CDF EXPANSION
Together with Alliance of the Southeast and with the legal expertise of Environmental Law and Policy Center, we have filed a long-planned lawsuit to stop the US Army Corps of Engineers' plan to vertically expand a toxic dredge disposal facility, known as a “confined disposal facility” (“CDF”), on the shore of Lake Michigan at the Calumet River. See the press release here.
The Confined Disposal Facility
What is the story behind the Confined Disposal Facility?
In early 2019 the Chicago District of the Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) published a Draft Dredge Management Plan and Environmental Impact Study (“DDMP/EIS”) proposing to vertically expand a toxic dredge disposal facility, known as a “confined disposal facility” (“CDF”), on the shore of Lake Michigan at the Calumet River. The existing CDF already concentrates over a million tons of contaminated dredge in a 1984 “in-water” structure that was scheduled to close in 2022, but under this new proposal the Corps would build a 25-foot mountain on top of that structure composed of another million tons of toxic waste. This surprising proposal had been rejected as an option by the Corps for many years. Yet, it appears the Corps is set to finalize this proposal — despite opposition by the Alderman, local residents and organizations, parks advocates, and environmental groups and despite the Lightfoot Administration’s focus on neighborhood equity and protecting Chicago’s drinking water quality.
Why is it a problem?
The CDF sits literally in Lake Michigan – the City’s water supply. Unlike a properly permitted, lined and monitored modern landfill, the CDF was designed to allow the waters of the Lake to flow in and out of it. The CDF effectively concentrates a million tons of toxic dredge in a sieve at one location directly upstream from Calumet Beach and adjacent to historic Calumet Park and the new Steelworkers Park in the City’s 10th Ward – an environmental justice community already over-burdened with landfills and polluting industrial operations. For more click here to read the CDF OpEd written by FOTP board member Pat Sharkey
What can we do about it?
We are reaching out to officials at the city, state and federal level letting them know we are against the dangerous CDF. Click here for template letters and email addresses you can utilize to let your voice be heard.
More information on the CDF:
Solutions to the CDF
In early 2019 the Chicago District of the Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) published a Draft Dredge Management Plan and Environmental Impact Study (“DDMP/EIS”) proposing to vertically expand a toxic dredge disposal facility, known as a “confined disposal facility” (“CDF”), on the shore of Lake Michigan at the Calumet River. The existing CDF already concentrates over a million tons of contaminated dredge in a 1984 “in-water” structure that was scheduled to close in 2022, but under this new proposal the Corps would build a 25-foot mountain on top of that structure composed of another million tons of toxic waste. This surprising proposal had been rejected as an option by the Corps for many years. Yet, it appears the Corps is set to finalize this proposal — despite opposition by the Alderman, local residents and organizations, parks advocates, and environmental groups and despite the Lightfoot Administration’s focus on neighborhood equity and protecting Chicago’s drinking water quality.
Why is it a problem?
The CDF sits literally in Lake Michigan – the City’s water supply. Unlike a properly permitted, lined and monitored modern landfill, the CDF was designed to allow the waters of the Lake to flow in and out of it. The CDF effectively concentrates a million tons of toxic dredge in a sieve at one location directly upstream from Calumet Beach and adjacent to historic Calumet Park and the new Steelworkers Park in the City’s 10th Ward – an environmental justice community already over-burdened with landfills and polluting industrial operations. For more click here to read the CDF OpEd written by FOTP board member Pat Sharkey
What can we do about it?
We are reaching out to officials at the city, state and federal level letting them know we are against the dangerous CDF. Click here for template letters and email addresses you can utilize to let your voice be heard.
More information on the CDF:
Solutions to the CDF
Created by the FOTP Summer 2020 After School Matters Earth Team Cohort, the above video provides visuals and further explanation on the safety issues of the Confined Disposal Facility pollution dump.
filed Public comments on the confined disposal facility pollution dump
OCTOBER 2021 TO THE ILLINOIS EPA
Alliance of the SouthEast/Friends of the Parks/Environmental Law and Policy Center/Openlands
JULY 2021 TO THE ILLINOIS EPA
Friends of the Parks/Environmental Law and Policy Center
Alliance of the SouthEast/Friends of the Parks/Environmental Law and Policy Center/Openlands
JULY 2021 TO THE ILLINOIS EPA
Friends of the Parks/Environmental Law and Policy Center
AUGUST 2020 TO THE U.S. ARMY CORPS:
In response to the Army Corps of Engineers' Dredged Material Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, stakeholders submitted the below public comments.
In response to the Army Corps of Engineers' Dredged Material Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, stakeholders submitted the below public comments.
AUGUST 2019 TO THE U.S. ARMY CORPS:
Below are public comments submitted from community organizations and stakeholders in response to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (“ACOE”) April 2019 Draft Dredged Material Management Plan and Integrated Environmental Impact Statement (“DMMP/EIS”) for the Chicago Area Waterway System in the Calumet region.
Alliance for the SouthEast (ASE)
Southeast Environmental Task Force
Friends of the Parks
Openlands
Sierra Club of Illinois
Alderwoman Susan Garza
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Below are public comments submitted from community organizations and stakeholders in response to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (“ACOE”) April 2019 Draft Dredged Material Management Plan and Integrated Environmental Impact Statement (“DMMP/EIS”) for the Chicago Area Waterway System in the Calumet region.
Alliance for the SouthEast (ASE)
Southeast Environmental Task Force
Friends of the Parks
Openlands
Sierra Club of Illinois
Alderwoman Susan Garza
United States Environmental Protection Agency
